Re: Micky Mac and Gelling Released - OFFICIAL : Tue Jan 02, 2018 5:56 pm  

Not too bothered with Gelling. But the release of McIlorum further weakens the pack for me. I only posted the other day that we need an 'enforcer' in there, a big prop probably. I am led to believe that McIlorum is a bit of an 'hard case' - that on it's own would have intimidated some opposition forwards. Old players like Brian McTigue certainly did that with his reputation.

If this is due to 'salary cap' then even my poor maths could do better as whom ever is doing the sums at the club is not doing very well.

The eve of a new season and further weakening ?

[Wigan6/Leeds1 Andy]

Re: Micky Mac and Gelling Released - OFFICIAL : Tue Jan 02, 2018 6:11 pm  

old frightful wrote:

I put a thread on your forum a week or so back asking about McIlorum and it was deleted.

Probably because we have a rumours thread at the top of the board and it was already being discussed widely in there.

Re: Micky Mac and Gelling Released - OFFICIAL : Tue Jan 02, 2018 6:14 pm  

I guess I'm in the small minority who think that Gelling is a bigger loss than MM. For me, we have three decent (if not amazing) options to replace MM. And we've managed fine without him for lengthy periods in the past. We can't say the same for Gelling.

Re: Micky Mac and Gelling Released - OFFICIAL : Tue Jan 02, 2018 6:17 pm  

I agree with you Moto,Gelling was average at best last season but he was clearly playing injured for the most of it.I had him down for a big season.

Re: Micky Mac and Gelling Released - OFFICIAL : Tue Jan 02, 2018 6:25 pm  

At last, an announcement

Re: Micky Mac and Gelling Released - OFFICIAL : Tue Jan 02, 2018 6:30 pm  

Wigan6/Leeds1 Andy wrote:

Probably because we have a rumours thread at the top of the board and it was already being discussed widely in there.

Okay, thanks.

Perhaps it might have been better had a mod replied suggesting as much then locking it, at least I'd have known then.

No mischief intended, never thought I'd see the day McIlorum wore anything but a Wigan shirt at club level, I'm amazed.

[DaveO]

Re: Micky Mac and Gelling Released - OFFICIAL : Tue Jan 02, 2018 6:31 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

That’s the key point for me.

If several clubs were interested then that tells its own tale. On the other hand I presume we’ve had no interest in Leuluai or Powell and clearly none in the likes of Nuuausala or Tautai so we’re sat here making do.

Phil Wilkinson says we were very close to the cap with Micky Mac but we do now have some room so it surprises me a little that he’s been let go. Micky Mac has already hinted it was Wigan who told him he was leaving and not the other way round.

If Phil Wilkinson is right then that destroys IL's reputation as some sort of financial wizard because he's reduced the club to having to offload one of its best players due to obviously paying far too many average players far too much money. Instead of being pleased with his return to form it's been used as a big "for sale" sign (though I know we let him leave for free, you get the point) and is left having to convince the fans to accept second best.

The ideal scenario now is that Ganson bangs the door down and becomes the creative hooker many have been crying out for but I’d have rather seen him do that in tandem with a tough nugget of a hooker like Micky Mac.

The way MM played for Ireland suggests the only reason he wasn't more creative at Wigan was he was told not to be. Wane will have Powell, Ganson and TL playing the same way.

Re: Micky Mac and Gelling Released - OFFICIAL : Tue Jan 02, 2018 6:33 pm  

How come wigan knew about Gelling and it would now appear Mcilorum quite sometime before Christmas yet decide to only publicise this once the season ticket deadline had passed. Yet again the fans are treated like fools.

Re: Micky Mac and Gelling Released - OFFICIAL : Tue Jan 02, 2018 6:45 pm  

Sad about Gelling, think he’s a better centre than Sarginson. But this is the risk you take with overseas players - 6 years has been a good stint.

Some may disagree but I feel the decision on McIlorum was correct.

Despite a good showing in the World Cup, his performance at Wigan was quite average. Only doing 20min stints.

His contract was up after this year, think the club had no interest in giving him a new deal at age 30. So out of respect let him go find a good 2 year deal.

Better let him go a season too soon that a season too late.

Going forward I like the look of this spine compared to last year

1.) Escare
6.) Williams
7.) STomkins
9.) Lealuai
13.) Lockers

14.) Powell

Back up - Mullen, Sharrocks, Gason


Great servant to Wigan though Micky, one of the toughest S.O.Bs to ever wear the shirt. His try in the 2013 grand final and his performance against Leeds at the Magic in 2014 will always be remembered by me.

Re: Micky Mac and Gelling Released - OFFICIAL : Tue Jan 02, 2018 6:57 pm  

NSW!!!!

Get with the program, you are ONLY suppose to post criticism, of absolutely anything that happens..