Insurance. They are the players you never want to use because if you are then your top players are not available but you would be caught without your trousers on if you didn't have them. Bruce and Roberts also bring absolute bags of experience that is always useful for a young team behind the scenes.
2018 Summer Transfer Mega Thread
- Thread starter wiganfanfrank
- Start date
ZAKKY
Vital Football Hero
Paul Cook
“On a serious note, I think defensively, probably in the centre of the defence, we’re going to need something. “Hopefully we’re going to look at and be able to address that before the loan window closes.”
Read more at: https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/fo...else-in-defence-wigan-athletic-boss-1-9296920
“On a serious note, I think defensively, probably in the centre of the defence, we’re going to need something. “Hopefully we’re going to look at and be able to address that before the loan window closes.”
Read more at: https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/fo...else-in-defence-wigan-athletic-boss-1-9296920
willjones89210
Vital Reserves Team
There are some decent options as free agents. Preferably someone who could cover LB as well.
TRUE BELIEVER
Vital Football Hero
Any names come to mind Will
king_dezeeuw06
Vital Champions League
Sounds like we are going to bring in another centre half on loan to play not just a free as back up.
While Burn and Byrne are out, assuming Walton, James and Robinson would be certain starters and likely Evans means Connolly would probably have to sit in the stands to accomidate the extra centre half. Not ideal but needs must if we don't think we've got what we need at centre back.
We'd probably be best doing a loan to buy and try and get Big Dans replacement in the door before he heads off in January if we have the money. But it might have to be another youngsters like Pennington if we've spent all the money we had on deadline day.
While Burn and Byrne are out, assuming Walton, James and Robinson would be certain starters and likely Evans means Connolly would probably have to sit in the stands to accomidate the extra centre half. Not ideal but needs must if we don't think we've got what we need at centre back.
We'd probably be best doing a loan to buy and try and get Big Dans replacement in the door before he heads off in January if we have the money. But it might have to be another youngsters like Pennington if we've spent all the money we had on deadline day.
HudWiganFan
Vital Reserves Team
....Sounds like a Harry Redknapp dream team! ?
king_dezeeuw06
Vital Champions League
The issue with the 3 lads mentioned is the fact they were such fantastic players but currently haven't got a club. It suggests either that their legs have gone and no one wants them or they are pricing themselves out of the wage the interested clubs could pay - maybe a bit of both.
Not just that but they probably haven't had a full preseason and wouldn't be fit to play for a number of weeks when it sounds like we need them now.
I suspect if we fancied any of them / were willing to pay the wages we probably wouldve went for them early in the summer. So while not out of the question i think they probably aren't options we are looking at. Although we could certainly do a lot worse than Onuaha.
Not just that but they probably haven't had a full preseason and wouldn't be fit to play for a number of weeks when it sounds like we need them now.
I suspect if we fancied any of them / were willing to pay the wages we probably wouldve went for them early in the summer. So while not out of the question i think they probably aren't options we are looking at. Although we could certainly do a lot worse than Onuaha.
jeffs right
Vital Football Hero
Strange we didn't have them all for our pre season preparations. Could have saved even more if our players from having match time.
king_dezeeuw06
Vital Champions League
The reason you take them on preseason and use them ahead of your own players is because you suspect they might be better. If a manager believed there was a player available who may be a good addition to your squad and is willing to train with us for no money as effectively a 'try before you buy' why wouldn't you do it?
Would you prefer us to take a punt and give the lad a contract and skip a trial or just ignore all players who are willing to come on trial?
loudmouthblue
Vital Football Hero
why would they "command a decent wage " ? they are earning nothing at the moment from football.
loudmouthblue
Vital Football Hero
i ask you the same, why should they command the type of wage you suggest, they ean nothing/ziltch/diddly squatt at the moment so why should they expect a high wage.
ZAKKY
Vital Football Hero
loudmouthblue
Vital Football Hero
I asked a question on how he comes to his opinion ? why are you claiming i am being aggressive ?
ZAKKY
Vital Football Hero
Just the tone of your reply I felt you were having an unnecessary go at him. Just my opinion, if you wern't then I apologies
king_dezeeuw06
Vital Champions League
If you were talking players who had lesser careers then they probably would be willing to except lower wages rather than sit at home earning nothing. But those players mentioned earned exceptionally large amounts of money throughout their careers they likely don't need to get a new contract unless they fancy the move or they are going to be well compensated. The 3 lads mentioned probably were all on 30k plus if not more on their last deal, which was possibly already a lot lower than they earned at their earlier in their career peaks - to them moving their family and going to battle it out at the lower end of the Championship for 10k a week probably just doesn't feel worth it.
It's the same as Yaya Toure and John Terry, there would be plenty of clubs interested in taking them on if they were willing to come to them - but the clubs sniffing are probably clubs they don't fancy and they will probably prefer to retire than join a club doesn't appeal to them unless they are willing to offer enough money to make them change their mind. Samba, Onuaha and Collins aren't in the same bracket as Yaya and Terry but they probably have the same luxury of only needing to find a new club if they want one rather than needing one to pay the bills. I suspect all 5 mentioned players had no shortage of offers but no club they would've be willing to sign for wanted them, they didn't fancy the clubs that were intersted and those same clubs were unable to put a financial package in place big enough to make them reconsider.
In modern football many of the players who earned big bucks probably don't really feel the need to drop past a certain level to keep playing like many past players and lower league players do.
jeffs right
Vital Football Hero
king_dezeeuw06
Vital Champions League
That's not answering the question i aksed though is it. If you are so opposed to trialists and a player is willing to come on trail to prove his worth should we refuse a trial and immedietely commit to a contract or just refuse to look at him altogheter? To me if someone is willing to come on trial and you think they are worth a look you'd be mad not to do it when there is no obligation to sign them.
Considering we signed Gibson, i don't think Wallace and Perch playing some training games and being on the bench in a friendly or two really had a negative impact on preseason.
