I'd agree they've probably punched above their weight this year, but they don't have anything like the threat close to the line they had in 2017. It'll be a few years before they build a starting 17 that strong and bonded again. For me, Powell has probably taken Cas as far as he can.

Yeah they had a great group and system and Hardaker fit in so well for them it seemed the final cog in 2017 until his usual brain fart at the critical point. I enjoyed watching them but like you say not been the same team since despite doing well all things considered. Obviously missed Gale massively.

Depends how long they can hold on to Trueman for me as he will only get better so two or three more seasons with a team built around him and i still think cas will remain in the mix.

I don’t see the Trueman hype - a very one dimensional player that can be easily shut down. Cas got to the top 5 because of the dire standard of most teams in SL I.e. the best of a bad lot

Jeez Trueman is a sensational young player.

Absolutely brilliant. Cas were always punching above their weight because of the poop around him, yet he has all the skills.

And last nights match highlighted why you never judge players on age, and look at the birth certificate. Wigan’s absolute obsession with O’Loughlin is their big down fall. Absolute embarrassment of a player this season, and they are far better when he is out. Just like Leeds before them, too busy hanging on to sentiment instead of pulling forward the future.

Really? Wigan would be one of the last clubs I'd accuse of this. O'Loughlin's best days are long gone, mind. I'll give you that one.

We must simply agree to differ - flat track bully for me

Flat track bully at 20 year old?? Harsh assessment imo

Totally agree. Trueman is average at best. He may develop but right now he only capable of the odd good game. Him and Richardson together could be a total nightmare for CAS next season. Way too inconsistency both of them.

Hardly unique in that respect at cas. I'd like to see him progress under a different coach before jumping to that conclusion.

As a 20 year old half I'd say his critics would be seeing a more consistent player truer to his capability, if he was playing alongside a fit and in form Gale.

So what do you think will be seen when he is with Richardson?

Yep not a flat track bully, got plenty of time to develop, but potential does not always equate to real talent, one great game against a dire Hull side does not make him the world beater some are making out, see where he is at when he is 22-23.

We have a fair number of young players of a similar age and younger who will frustrate sometimes. There is some real good talent coming through across the game at the moment which is great to see - you look at players like Welsby at Saints and he has England FB written all over him already.

Isn’t this thread kinda dead now by the way...?

His CV dosnt just consist of one great game against Hull, he's had plenty of good games aswel as a few bad ones, theres a clear middle ground between flat track bully and world beater, at 20 yearold, Truemans at the higher end of that middle ground for me, certainly ahead of the curve of where you'd expect a 20 yearold half to be.

As you say, potential dosnt always equate to real talent, but thats nothing new, it applys to every young player. Hopefully Trueman goes on to fulfill his potential .