Quote: Magic Superbeetle "I always thought Dudson was better than Crosby from what I'd seen.'"
I'm absolutely certain that you will find not one single Wigan fan who would agree with you on that one. Dudson had one decent game (at Magic against Leeds last year) in his time at Wigan. He consistently failed to manage even the basics and became a penalty machine, for example costing us the derby match at Saints in 2013. He is surplus to requirements, it's as simple as that. Crosby, Greenwood and Sutton have overtaken him in the pecking order.
Since last year we have lost Pettybourne (a big disappointment after his good showing at the World Cup), Dudson, Taylor (most will agree he could be a big miss) and James (honest but limited) to be replaced by Mossop (a question over fitness, but good enough to make the 2013 World Cup squad after being an integral part of a double winning team), Tautai (jury's out), Patrick (showed up well against us in the past but jury still out) and Greenwood has come back after a decent season in London.
Overall the props are certainly no worse than last season, with the second row options improved with the return of Tomkins (whose defence was a big improvement on Bateman's in the last month of the season).
I'm happy with the composition of our pack against yours. However whilst your halves are better on paper our three quarters are better IMO of course.
For me the two most important players are Roby and O'Loughlin. Any prolonged absence of either would severely damage either sides plans.
That said, I think there's nothing between Saints, Wigan and Wire (with Catalan a surprise outsider) for the trophies.