cadoo wrote:Tony Smith must obviously believe that he can bring out the best in Richie Mathers and that a change of clubs might be the start of it. If Mathers was to go , that would spell the end of Reardon and suggest that the club are trying to get rid of the trouble makers sooner rather than later - including Gleeson.

Darrell Goulding has a lot of promise about him and started the season off very well when he was given the number three shirt. His form dropped off a bit and he failed to play consistently at the "top level" week in week out and since then Noble has been a bit harsh on Goulding and I don't think the lad knows where he stands. One minute he is in the next minute he is out. You're never going to see a lad develop in a situation like that. I would have liked him to have seen out his contract at Wigan - even had that been a years loan deal at a super league like Saints have done with Ste Tyrer or at least given the chance a run of games to form a sufficient and more accurate opinion about his potential. Bailey has been inconsistent at centre this season yet is still named in the team every week. Can we honestly say the same has been applied to Goulding? It could work two ways if this rumour is true. Warrington could unearth a gem in Darrell Goulding or he could become another Martin Aspinwall type player.

Martin Gleeson should we sign him will in the short term benefit the side. We certainly lack creative flair in our side and he would add this. Apart from Feka Hock and maybe Carmont we are very limited in our attack, as was evident against Huddersfield and Martin Gleeson can give us another option in attack and in theory with his creativity bring out the best in Roberts and allow Bailey to go back to his better position at second row and we can finally have a proper centre for the rest of the season. At 28 he would be at a reasonable age but soon after you expect his form to drop as he gets older. He might not do but it would be a risk to hand him a big contract. 2 years MAX would be my option.

Short term it would certainly benefit the squad but in the long term it is a risk to let Darrell Goulding and to see how Martin Gleeson turns out at Wigan.

cadoo wrote: Short term it would certainly benefit the squad but in the long term it is a risk to let Darrell Goulding and to see how Martin Gleeson turns out at Wigan.

wigan_knight wrote:Gleesons reaction after being ask by my brothers mate today

"Bloody hell, i've only told my mum and everyone knows"

thepriestman85 wrote:I think the key to our long term future in the backs rests on two things getting a good long term SH and Pryce finding form.

Gleeson is still long term planning imo as you can see below taking into account he’s 28 as you said btw;

2009-Carmont &Gleeson 28(2 year deal with another year option in clubs fav)
2010-Carmont & Gleeson 29(Pryce to come in towards the end of season)
2011-Pryce & Gleeson 30(If happy with contribution offer same 3yr deal right?)
2012-Pryce & Gleeson 31
2013-Pryce & Gleeson 32(we’ve got the option in our favour for another year also)

That’s five seasons we could get out of Gleeson with an option for another if we feel he’s up to it! Two centre pairings in 6 seasons Gleeson ‘n’ Carmont and Pryce ‘n’ Gleeson is excellent stability to what has gone on previously. Add to that Roberts on a four year deal and potentially Ainscough spending the foreseeable future at the club and then we are finally getting some decent consistency in our backs aren’t we?

All we would need to do then is take this continuity idea and apply it to getting Dobbo in at SH then we are laughing!

All of it will be wasted if we sign the wrong SH tho as it’s such a key position that we need to get it right first time and stick with it meaning no more-Lam, Moran, Orr, Dobbo, Barrett & Tommy situations. We have to splash the cash, get the right person in who is not only good enough but will be around for a good few years.

thepriestman85 wrote:I think the key to our long term future in the backs rests on two things getting a good long term SH and Pryce finding form.

Gleeson is still long term planning imo as you can see below taking into account he’s 28 as you said btw;

DaveO wrote:He is 29 in six weeks time

Far too old to be signing a back.

Dave