Has signed, 2 year deal.

Odd one really, is he a centre? Is he a winger? He's played both i think.

I was expecting Ashton to take Linehams place, does Minikin replace Lineham and Ashton stays as utility/squad player?

Ratchford
Minikin
Matuatia
King
Charnley
Widdop
Williams

Not a bad back line

primarily a right sided player, as i recall

He's a very solid player. Bit of a puzzling signing if you've outbid Hull KR for him given you've got Thewlis developing and already have Ashton and two specialist centres though. Ashton hasn't been announced as having signed a new deal yet has he?

Thewlis is a fullback and is the heir apparent to Ratchford. I expect Thewlis to play a lot of games at 1st team fullback, as Ratchford`s RL playing career ends.

With Ashton, it is a difficult decision for Wire. His time at Warrington has been blighted by injuries and he hasn`t been able to nail down a starting position.

I think that because of his injury record he will only be offered a short (12 months?) contract, and he is in a weak negotiating position for a contract, either here or elsewhere.

Personally I would prefer for Wire to retain Ashton, with a view to playing on the wing at Warrington, but it depends how his salary fits with the Salary Cap and the risk associated with his availability to play.

Possibly in to provide back line cover in the way Mamo was?

minikin is probably linehams replacements, as mata'uatia is inglis' replacement

Average/solid player, nothing more.

Perhaps Powell has a good working relationship with Minnikin.

Solid replacement for Lineham, don’t expect him to set the world alight but at least he will not miss as many games suspended. Obviously has a good working relationship and familiar with Powell from his days at Cas. Can cover a number of positions also… does keep you wondering about Ashton though

It's a good signing IMO, whether He starts or not I think our backline looks stronger for this signing. We need to sign another back I feel or at least give Ashton a contract for next season as well. Thewlis and wrench are good enough to be considered first team cover for next season but we are light beyond that at the minute unless we have some other youngsters coming through.

At the start of last season we had, on paper at least, a backline consisting of Ratchford, Lineham, Charnley, King and Inglis with cover being provided by Mamo and Ashton. I don’t think that Thewlis or Wrench had made their first team debuts at this point. For next season we have Ratchford, Minikin, Charnley, King and Mata'utia with cover (confirmed) by Thewlis and Wrench who now have some first team experience. If Ashton is offered / accepts a new deal then we’re probably ok at the back and we should be looking to spend some of the remaining cap on a decent prop (although I’m not sure who’s available).

You're maybe right, we look alright in the backs I think now.

If the rumour about Hill signing for another 2 years are is right and Bullock is also signed I doubt there will be any more signed in the front row. I would be happy with that I think. Bullock offers more than Sita, he does need to up his contribution from what I have seen of him in a Wigan shirt but our pack is better with him over sita IMO. I'm not sure where we could improve after that unless we lose any more of our players who are off contract.

Ratchford
Charnley
King
Matautia
Minikin
Williams
Widdop
Hill
Clark
Cooper
Currie
Holmes
Hughes

Walker
Philbin
Mulhern
Davis
Bullock
Thewlis
Wrench
Bullock
Longstaff
Dean
Butler
Doro
Harrison (if he isn't de registered due to his injury)
Gannon

Will thay be enough? Maybe a few youngsters will be (or have been) added to the first team squad for next season. Looks a good squad on paper for me although obviously Bullock is just a rumour at this stage, I suppose Hill is as well at this stage and this also assumes Darryl Clark will be staying.

No Ashton CW8 and I thought Hill had already signed for Hudd's unless there's been a U turn?

FWIW I'd keep Ashton as I think he's got great potential if he can get an injury free run and I don't think Charnley's contract will be extended.

Full Back: Ratchford, Thewlis
Wing: Charnley, Minikin, Thewlis
Centre: Mata’utia, King, Minikin, Wrench
Half Backs: Widdop, Williams, Ratchford, Dean
Prop: Hill?, Cooper, Philbin, Mulhern, Bullock?, Harrison, Butler
2nd Row: Currie, Holmes, Longstaff, Davis, Hughes
Loose: Hughes, Davis, Harrison, Doro
Hooker: Clark, Walker

Assuming Hill stays and Bullock signs we look ok at prop. I’m hopeful Minikin has been signed to cover that Mamo role and we still have a winger (or Ashton) to sign.

Only one overseas player in all those.