For all we know we may have offered jack a deal and he's turned it down for a better offer...if that is the case it's hardly "letting him go "....I'd add I find it very odd that Fleming is still in discussions over a new deal ....can't get my head round that one ...he's barely played and has hardly ripped up trees when he has...let's see who comes in to replace him before deciding how bad a terrible decision it is or isn't
I'll take that back ...In fact looking at the squad numbers with the new 3 added and the young lad that played at Sheffield ..there'll be no replacement for Owens or any other new signings based on the chairman saying in a previous interview the squad would be 24 in numbers ....so unless Fleming leaves there isn't a spot
I'll take that back again...I've counted connell ...and possibly Connolly who there's been no word on 😂
I’m disappointed jacks gone, not been at his best in previous years but thought he found some purpose and form this year.
one of those you’d like to retire at the club. I reckon it is a case of being offered a 2 year deal elsewhere or more money, but at the end of the day the club needs to be smart with investment and he is 32. Then again some centres go well into their late 30’s.
sure it’ll come out in the wash then we can make proper judgement
Jack has had a good season, it'll need to be a very good signing that improves the team.
Owens moving on makes perfect sense to me. Top earner, 32 years old, no longer plays in his primary position of full back.
First of all hes been a great Widnes player and respect to him for that. And wish Jack all the best at his new club.
My feeling is at the start of the season Salford had to get a squad together at a months notice, signed loads of young lads and now have time to re-build with quite a bit of money available on the cap. We on the other hand are only releasing 4 players but have to cut the wage bill by about £75k. Owens is a high earner and 32, if Salford have come in with a good deal over 2 years, we may well have not been in a position to match it with a 24 man squad and £500k cap.
They have done a similar thing with Sneyd from Wire as hes in his 30's and Wire have Irwin comimg through.
I think at 32 the timing is right and hopefully hes got a 2 year deal to take him onto 34.
All the other players have been replaced already. Banditt for Houghton, new Aussie FB for Connell, Nixon for Butt, and Hansen for Abdull/Richardson.
We now need to sign a quality centre with pace. I would not sign Flemming up to a new deal. So before the season has even finished we only need to sign 2 centres to complete next years 24 man squad, thats not bad at all, if anything I would be looking a swapping possibly a couple more.
Owens moving on makes perfect sense to me. Top earner, 32 years old, no longer plays in his primary position of full back.
First of all hes been a great Widnes player and respect to him for that. And wish Jack all the best at his new club.
My feeling is at the start of the season Salford had to get a squad together at a months notice, signed loads of young lads and now have time to re-build with quite a bit of money available on the cap. We on the other hand are only releasing 4 players but have to cut the wage bill by about £75k. Owens is a high earner and 32, if Salford have come in with a good deal over 2 years, we may well have not been in a position to match it with a 24 man squad and £500k cap.
They have done a similar thing with Sneyd from Wire as hes in his 30's and Wire have Irwin comimg through.
I think at 32 the timing is right and hopefully hes got a 2 year deal to take him onto 34.
All the other players have been replaced already. Banditt for Houghton, new Aussie FB for Connell, Nixon for Butt, and Hansen for Abdull/Richardson.
We now need to sign a quality centre with pace. I would not sign Flemming up to a new deal. So before the season has even finished we only need to sign 2 centres to complete next years 24 man squad, thats not bad at all, if anything I would be looking a swapping possibly a couple more.
I am with you too and i wish Jack all the best but he be 33 next year and not the fastest player.It just seems Widnes peopke have more sentiments for Widnes lads but i do not care if from Tim buk tu if play well. I see Flemming in negotiations but for me i get rid with his injuries, but flexible can play wing, centre and fullback. Plus who knows Salford offered 2 years contract on better money we need to be smart.2 decent centres needed for me now.
@pascal Within our budget, where are we going to find two decent centres?
Surely it says something that the club that wants him most, is a club local to us, with a bigger budget than us. If they think he’s the best centre they can get, who do you think we can get?
@pascal Within our budget, where are we going to find two decent centres?
Surely it says something that the club that wants him most, is a club local to us, with a bigger budget than us. If they think he’s the best centre they can get, who do you think we can get?
Probably Alan Coleman is the best person to ask? Do you know his wage demands and agents choose the best deal for them and the player. He is good but nothing special i be more worried losing Edgy. Players come and go just because a Widnes lad you care more.
@viking25 They don't having a bigger budget, they just have more room on it as they have a poor squad this season due to folding after being relegated. We have 22 players and signed the likes of Joe Edge up on new deals.
Someone like Sambou would be great as he's on a 12 month loan with no recall option. Thats the same as our player to me as nearly all our players are on 12 or 24 month deals. The problem for me is these season long loans and then they go back after a week. I wonder where Sambou will end up next year as Sambou/Edge as a centre combo would be good if both fit.
They must have some decent centres in the Queensland cup with our Aussie director. I mentioned Will Tate has been released by Wakefield. Newcastle are cutting budget next season so players may become available. Be interesting to see if Donny and Oldham have to off load a few players for the new cap, I'm sure we will get someone in.
@pascal Within our budget, where are we going to find two decent centres?
Surely it says something that the club that wants him most, is a club local to us, with a bigger budget than us. If they think he’s the best centre they can get, who do you think we can get?
Do we really need two more centres, we already have Edge and Taylor.
@pascal Within our budget, where are we going to find two decent centres?
Surely it says something that the club that wants him most, is a club local to us, with a bigger budget than us. If they think he’s the best centre they can get, who do you think we can get?
Do we really need two more centres, we already have Edge and Taylor.
Edge is injury prone but on the field is quality at this level so if he out we just have Taylor? Plus I feel Taylor is good but not at the level we want a centre, but with 6 months playing regularly could be a decent player. Jack Owens is too slow now and be 33 next year and people forget he left Widnes before and players do go for the money especially with not many years left to play. At least with Taylor we could have for 2 or 3 years depending on his circumstances. We could get away with 1 more centre if a robust player possibly from Australia? If injuries could get a loan, but I feel centre a pivital position. Personally I do not want Flemming but suppose if fit can play centre, fullback or wing. I thought Langtree getting 2 years with his injuries, then has a great season and played regularly, so in rugby you never know mate. If Jack Owens got injured next season our fans whinge over the hill and should not have signed him.😂👍🤦♂️