I’ve worked in situations where a new boss has brought some of their previous employees into the team.
They are never trusted, because their loyalty is to the boss rather than their team-mates. Everyone is careful what they say around them because they think it’ll be straight back to the boss, and also that they are the boss’ favourites.
Be interesting to see how it works in a RL context.

And not all signings are based on a players ability. These two may well be bringing a work ethic that Powell wishes to instil. I like Holmes, would prefer Mamo to Matautia but it's not a huge difference. Plus if we have Widdop and Williams in the halves we could probably get away with Paul Noone in the second row and Ronnie Kettlewell in the centres.

I'd like to know who they are replacing, it would help to form an opinion.

I see now why you're so warmly received on the Wigan board.

A lot of the current Warrington first team won’t be here next year anyway, so if your theory is true it’s not going to make much of a difference when most of the players are in a new environment.

I doubt there will be any spilt in the camp.

This wins the internet for me today!!!! Genuine lol.

I could see Lineham going and Mamo taking the wing spot outside of Matautia. Heard it's a done deal with Cas re: Mamo but i wouldn't mind him staying considering Matty Ashton hasn't had a season without injury and looking at the wingers across the league OOC this year.

I don’t think I’ve posted on the Wigan board for a very long time,
When I did, it was to point out that Zak Hardaker was a risk - within days this was proven true with his drink driving incident.
I also think I commented that Mitch Clark was very poor - I notice he has moved to Gateshead today, so that’s pretty much proven to be correct too.
To be honest, I just speak the truth. In this case, having watched them every week, you’ve signed a bang average centre and a good but injury-prone back-rower. Both of whom will be seen as Powell’s favourites and his spies in the camp,

Quite content with these signings, been very much what we anticipated after the last couple months of speculation to be joining ‘Powelly’

Holmes for me will be a better running forward then Hughes, my preference would be him and Currie as our starting second rowers with Hughes/Philbin fighting it out for 13. He will give us abit more grunt and go forward on the edge, can’t say I’m the biggest fan of Hughes at second rower as he doesn’t do much going forward and just defends his off like any solid second rower should… still not convinced he’s captain material from what I’ve seen so far.

Mamo for Mata’utia is a tricky one, we will get more of a ball handling threat and a better defender then Mamo, Charnley should be getting more of the ball too. But Mamo has surprised me how good he’s gone this year at centre, his pace off the mark and willingness to try to take people on the outside has caused a lot of issues for opposition defence.

Another point to consider is that Mamo covers the wing spot pretty well, if we are losing Mamo & Lineham next year we will be light on wingers. Thewlis, Ashton and Charnley to cover the wing spots leaves us with one serious injury away from being in the mire…

You must have been watching a different Mata’utia to me this season.
Poor in defence, especially against Hull KR, Leeds and Hull FC.
He also has no ball-handling threat. He takes some decent carries and he’s pretty strong so wins collisions, but I can count on one hand the number of passes he’s made all season.

Oliver Holmes i'm buzzing with, he's been brilliant for a few seasons now, he's like Westwood in his prime. He hits like a truck in defence and attack, plays 80mins, accelerates in to a tackle and is aggressive. Exactly what we've been missing.
Mata'utia is solid and dependable with a kicking game, i've got no issue at all with him slotting in to right centre. Mamo has speed on Mata'utia and that's about it. He's not flashy but i'm happy with his signing