Sam's not ready yet but will get 10 -15 games this season. He wil probably take over from Smith next season.

Mossop is an interesting one.
Wigan are well blessed with back row forward, in fact probably the strongest in the league, with Hock, O'Loughlin, Bailey, Hansen, Joel Tomkins and Mossop.
Add to that Farrell and I don't know how Noble will pick his four per game. (3 + 1 on the bench)

I suspect this will be Baileys last season. Salford have asked if they can take Mossop on loan for a season, which for me would be a really good option for both parties.

I dont think Wigan will close the gap dramatically. The first choice 13 looks similar if not a bit weaker than last years with Barretts departure.

If we lose key players they may beat us at the JJB - we owe them a walloping at murrayfield.

Wigans current transfer policy reminds me of the scattergun approach saints had for years when trying to match wigan.

Instead Wigan have let a talent in a key position go in barrett and what have they replaced him with another gamble in smith or blood Tomkins. At the same time your other half has shown his ability at hooker.

It was only when saints focused the money of 3/4 players and made the newlove and later sculthorpe transfers that we raised our game.

I`m not sure saints and bradford initially matched wigan as went past them as wigan fell backwards.

Wigan have always produced good juniors but its far easier to blood them into a winning team or at least around better players.

Regardless of how deep a squad is you can only put 13 on the field and 4 on the bench.

Saints have definatly started to draw the purse strings and the longer the stadium is delayed the more liklihood will be we slip down the league.

But I honestly believe that if wigan start matching saints this year then other teams will be ahead of both clubs.

Ainscough will go to Widnes where all the other unwanted Wigan players go.

The way they are playing now, no. Thet're losing 18-4 Vs Huddersfield with a strongish team out.