Smith and Brown.

I know Brown was available, I dont understand which Smith is available now?

Brian Smith.

We missed out on Tony.

I thought Brian Smith was at Newcastle?

Right, I knew you couldnt mean Tony, couldn't think for thinking then

Left some time back if memory serves.

I was pretty certain it was meant as another 12 month deal. We would have to hear it again to be sure but I did think he mentioned 12 months as if that was the offer that would be made.

Dave

Quote ="AJ"Left some time back if memory serves.'" Just checked.....still there. www.newcastleknights.com.au/defa ... file-coach Looks to rule that one out.

Quote ="AJ"Left some time back if memory serves.'" Just checked.....still there. www.newcastleknights.com.au/defa ... file-coach Looks to rule that one out.

I thought he made out it would be a 12month deal.

Doing a wonderful job at Newcastle, off contract the end of the year. Able to be approached by Sl clubs.

Quote ="NickyKiss"Just checked.....still there. www.newcastleknights.com.au/defa ... file-coach Looks to rule that one out.'" yeah, again, memory failed, he went to Newcastle didnt he, with Hagan going the other way.

Quote ="NickyKiss"Just checked.....still there. www.newcastleknights.com.au/defa ... file-coach Looks to rule that one out.'" yeah, again, memory failed, he went to Newcastle didnt he, with Hagan going the other way.

Quote ="NickyKiss"Just checked.....still there. www.newcastleknights.com.au/defa ... file-coach Looks to rule that one out.'" Deal up at the end of this year, i think.

Quote ="NickyKiss"Just checked.....still there. www.newcastleknights.com.au/defa ... file-coach Looks to rule that one out.'" Deal up at the end of this year, i think.

One of the things which bugs me and since listerning to IL comments has made me scratch my head even more.
1.)Who is signing the players at Wigan? If Noble is not here next year then why is IL going down under with Noble's hit list?
2.) What advantage to his recruitment process is going to watch the state of origin, unless you are looking at the Maroons back line. The Queensland starting props are both 32+., and it was obvious Kite & Bailey where going to get dominated, by a superiour Queensland side?
3.) Why is IL announcing who he fancies signing? Surely that is just a green light for agents to either reinforce there players standing back home or at least stick another couple of £000 onto the asking price or wage?

Cant work the guy out

4.) What is he going to establish having a week in Oz? Surely he should go out there with a scout. I know he has mentioned talking too several people out there including Brett Kenny. But surely he should of taken someone associated with Wigan a Forshaw, Radz, Pendulbury or Vieviers out with him to see if a player will blend into the Wigan system, not a native's opinion, as the SL is a different league to the NRL (i.e. Dobson couldnt get a 1st grade game at Canberra last year yet he's running the show for Rovers this year).

You would think that Wigan would have scouts or ex players/contacts in Aus.

Quins use the likes of Jimmy Dimmock who remains involved in the game and remained friends with Tony Rae and David Hughes (chairman) for the contacts/info.

Thats how we got David Howell who was a fringe player in the NRL.

Under IL we got Villasanti



As has been said before the bloke is a self publicist. No other chairman is ever heard other than him. He was just as bad at Quins

I haven't heard the interview, I hope it will be replayed on Sunday.

However, a couple of things to consider.

IL was in Australia on a personal business trip, not just a recruiting mission for Wigan.

If he was in Melbourne at the time why wouldn't he go the the S.O.O. I know I would.


Did he mention names of any prospective signings last night.

When he was over there he can hardly go players agents and say "I would like to sign a player but I'm not telling you who it is"

I think he mentioned how he likes Justin Poore and said that that he went with a list of potential targets but wasn't that impressed with any of them.

Thats us waiting until January to make panic signings again then.

Let's be sensible here. If IL was looking at signings why should he make them public?

I would be setting off more smokescreens than you could shake a stick at atm.


Cards close to chest until 100% nailed on......and then some.

Correct.

Regarding players I thought IL mentioned Ben Hannatt (sp) as a young prop. He was saying that some players who may not make Origin would be very good at Wigan.
As far as Noble is concerned IL said that it was equally up to Brian if he wanted to stay. As far as Wigan go I'm sure he wants a new contract. The England coaching job should be available at the end of the year when Smith's contract expires. If they are after a full time coach then may be they want Noble. Surely they will dump Smith. After that World Cup humiliation he shouldn't be anywhere near the International set up.
BN could sign the one year deal IL said was there, then be offered the England job full time and walk out on us. Leaving us in December with no coach.
From the way he spoke IL didn't give me the impression he had signed anyone.
As for being a self publicist and always on the airwaves, perhaps he listened to the Saints chairman who was on the Rugby League "Hour" show
at BBC Radio Manc Thursday evening.
IL communicates with the fans more than any other chairman I agree and I for one like it. Listen to him and what he doesn't say is usually as significant as what he does say, same at his Forums.
I'd sooner have IL as owner and chairman than DW & Mo, by a long way too!

If he wasn't impressed by Justin Poore we should end up with a bloody good prop forward



In all seriousness Poore is an unrealistic target because he has just made his origin debut, playing for a team riding high in the NRL, still young etc etc.

Would be interesting to know exactly who he looked at.

Agreed it seems like rushed January signings again though

Totally agree also.

There is far too much reading between the lines on here at the mo. while it is fun to speculate as to which players we could sign, however it is quite ridiculous to bemoan the chairman for “potentially” missing out on great players.

Only time will tell

That's twice in two days I'm broadly in agreement.

NURSE!

Me too!

But the Wigan Fans Rumour Factory would rather talk about 100 potential signings that could jeopardize the 1 or 2 we are probably going to get just to feed the Rumour Mill!

PS

An agreement from Jonh Now and he has a Full set!

House! It would make no sense at all for IL to be name dropping now when he is hopefully negotiating with his targets representatives.

Frightening.



Five of us agreeing.

Whiskey.