Well we ain't going to overtake them next year with the new signings as they are.

Last night absolutely demonstrates the importance of winning LLS in my view. KR had the guts sucked out of them in the game against us and we had them on the ropes but couldn’t finish them off, possibly due to our efforts against Saints.
Wigan had a nice rest, then an easy game against Leigh.
KR looked like a team who had peaked last week.

All we need is a Bevan French or two. We also need to sign 'em before they become stars & no other teams have spotted them.

This just comes across as a bit petulant. Wigan haven't got to where they have with a load of eye catching signings. French is a great player, but so are Williams and Dufty. Wigan are a great side because they get the best out of decent players like Miski, Leeming, Havard etc and work cohesively as a team.

We've got a lot of the cohesion this year but probably need to improve again in the forwards, including getting some big dinners into the likes of Holroyd and Whitehead. If we do that, we don't need to sign up the entire Dally M team of the year, and as you well know the salary cap wouldn't allow us to.

You say that but they signed the best centre in the league (who should be playing for us). Thompson was always going to be a fantastic signing. Keirhan is a good player - bloody good goal kicker too.

Dufty is not a great player. He’s a good player not great. French is on another planet to Dufty.

Wardle is a good player and has had a fine season. He had about three touches last night, one of which was blowing a try in a way that, if it had been Warrington and match-defining, would have seen an effigy of him hung up in front of the Rodney. But yes take your point that he has been a good addition. Keighran is no better than 'solid' imo as a centre bit yes a good goal kicker.

We will have to disagree on Dufty; I think his contribution this year has been extraordinary. Thousands of selfless tough carries on the 4th tackle, dozens of clean breaks, tries and assists from the back field.

He’s the best centre in the comp there’s no doubt about it. Has everything you’d want in a centre. Speed, footwork, strong, can pass, scores and assists.

Don’t get me wrong I like Dufty but IMO, he’s still suspect under the high ball, which as a fullback should be your bread and butter. He also stagnates a few of our attacks IMO. He bombed a couple last week where he should have passed as the third man pivot but choses to go alone. He’s had a fine season but for me he needs to brush up in these two areas to be considered a ‘great’ player.

Honestly, another close season under SB and co, a fit Fitzgibbon, a bit of meat on the younger forwards and teach Tai to pass and we will have a decent season. Won’t be a bad season anyway barring a disaster eg SB leaves and we sign Wellens as his replacement…

Sorry meant to say (if Eammon McManus is reading) Wellens is a great coach who would improve any team so get him signed up for another 3 years before other teams come knocking.

It works better if you occasionally post something positive.

Wigan are quality but we’re not exactly a million miles off are we? We’ve also got some tremendous prospects coming through….one of whom I believe will be better than Wardle in the not too distant future. Getting Fitzgibbon fully fit is going to be huge and if I was coach I’d be spending a HUGE amount of time on Hayes and Leyland developing an effective kicking game.

Dufty is a fullback though and a better one than field. Field bottled out of a few high balls last night. The only ones he took were when nobody was putting pressure on him.

Wasn't meant as petulant but I take your point.

In my view we are unproven at scrum half and limited at right centre.
We seem to be light in the forwards and our best forward may be leaving. We dont have a reliable goal kicker.

But we will see next season.

Pretty much said this myself regarding those positions and with reports of Russell in this mornings match I’m concerned. I did say when he was announced I did not see him as a replacement for Nicholson and that I’m not sure how we improve on this season.

Like you we will see next season I guess.

Little rumour on our (Wigan's) board that we've signed a young out of contract HB, a six, from you, nothing confirmed, just wondering if you've heard any whispers ?