Now it's confirmed that [url=http://www.wiganwarriors.com/WContent.aspx?id=7583&type=newsFielden is to leave Wigan[/url, I think we could do worse than signing him for a year; he's experienced at the top level, hungry for regular first team rugby and appears to have got himself fit again.

Barring further injuries, I think he'd have more impact off the bench than PJ did.

Fielden would be an option off the bench for sure.

Would have to be subject to a medical and a contract that reflects the risk involved. If he has worked hard to get back to fitness then we could see the benefit.

Make no mistake that this would be a high risk signing indeed. The question is, can we afford the risk here at wakey.

Fielden would be a step backwards, not worth the risk for someone whos not really that good, on a good day.

Well said that man.

As pointed out on another thread the man has hardly played for 2 years. I can't believe any top flight club would go anywhere near him.

Fielden is too much of a risk. He played too many minutes in the early part of his career & his body has paid for it in the latter stages although he was on a big contract when he spent most of his time on the treatment table. He should probably retire or go back to Bradford on a 1 year deal and Manuafakoa get the security of a 3 year deal at Wakefield that Bradford can't give.

Fielden is only a risk if we give him the wrong contract.
With his record a one year or pay as you play contract should be in order if we to bring him in, although personally I'm not a fan.

This.

Someone mentioned his name a few post ago and I've brought him up before and that's Manuafakoa, love to see him playing for us next year.

Was speaking to Neil Fox last night and he said would only offer Fielden a pay as you play deal.

Fielden in my opinion would be a great signing for Trinity on the right contract. He was playing some of the best rugby of his career prior to his injury and now back fit and motivated he will provide a mean defence, solid go forward and leadership.

Unless Wigan bring in an experienced Prop as well as Taylor I think it is a poor move allowing him to go, although rumours of an NRL props arrival at Wigan will not go away.

Pay as you play deal then i could live with it, anything else would be just too much of a risk.

Nick Scruton?

Fielden is a risk either way. Even on a pay per play contract it protects us losing money if he is injured but we'll still be a front line prop down if he is injured.
If you get someone to cover him and he does play you end up paying twice.

He is a big risk as he has no form on the board since coming back. But I'd be tempted....maybe....
Depends who else is around.

Heard that Ewan Dowes is back from Australia & is looking for a new club and could come cheap. Is he worth a punt? He's big enough and has the experience.

Think there was a bit of a fallout last time round we considered signing him?



Also in the news - 'Bradford Bulls’ fans have called for clarity after the Rugby Football League revealed it has made no decision about what it will do with the slice of £1.2 million cash the club’s new owners sacrificed in return for Super League status.'...... I'd have thought they probably can't afford some of the big signings they currently haveout of contract or can't offer long term deals for them. This may present us with an opportunity to take on one of their 'big' players?

I would be happy if we were to look in bulls direction for the right signing.

The centre (lualua?) and Manukafoa of most interest.

Think the above two could certainly add to the team.

"Ewan Dowes ‏@EwanDowes
Well the day has arrived, time to head back to the motherland. Gutted to be leaving, made some awesome friends. Hopefully get back one day.x "

Anyone take him at Wakey?

What does it have to do with them?

I know they've been through the mill up there, but there seems to have developed a rather unseemly culture of entitlement...

Would be suprised if we signed Dowes as he put himself in shop window last time and Agar didn't seem keen.

Do we need to sign a first choice prop, or just a backup prop?

Oliver Wilkes - 6ft 2" & 16st 12lb
Andy Raleigh - 6ft 2" & 16st 7lb
Kyle Amor - 6ft 2" & 16st 5lb
Matt James - 6ft 2 & 16st 4lb
(Taken from wikipedia)
Now the props we have at the moment are more than capiable of doing the job, they all have experience in SL and not exactly small.

And all British if you wanted to look at it that way.

Midgets

Indeed.

Never got all this we have a small pack short of numbers stuff. Seems to be an obsession with some Trinity fans who seem to think every position can be covered by 10 first class players.

If I had and issue it's that we don't have an obvious big lad at prop in the youth set up who may be worth a few run outs this season. That for me is the real issue - there should be a player at the club now who is roughly where Amor or Johnson were two seasons ago - that's where your depth comes from.

Like most Wakefield fans I listen carefully to the coach who is doing a good job. It has come from Agar himself on more than one occasion that he wants another big prop giving real punch up the middle of the park. We were getting easily rolled down the field in the earlier part of the season & out muscled in the middle although our recent run of form showed we held our own.

Yes we have some decent props but no one can deny someone like Manuakafoa at 6 foot 5 inches tall and 18 stone would not add to the quality, size and strength of the Wakefield pack. I hope he signs for us on a 3 year deal.

I think even in the recent run of form, teams were getting too far done the middle.
I think our scrambling defense was good and we tightened up at points in the game but a Stosic type tackler and runner would do for me.

With Aiton back that middle order will obviously tighten up even more.

I would definately say we needed a bit more punch up the middle. It was something we lacked last year, mainly when Raleigh and Amor were off the field. To the point where at the end, during the good run, RA appeared to be trying to make sure one of them was on the field at all times.

Is Matt James signed on for this year?? Thought he only got a 1 year deal??

I thought Kear had signed James on a 3 year deal?