Ellis does everything currie does but better. Which is frustrating as he came over as s bit part middle.

Miles better in the 13 shirt than smithies was

That's pretty much what I'm hoping for, yeah!

In reality, things are cyclical. It was less than two years ago that Saints were the ones looking invincible. Now it's Wigan.

The key essentially is for us to get things right at the right time, rather than when one team is head and shoulders above the rest. I do realise that's much easier said than done.

I have spoken a lot with some about mentality. The whole team have to buy into it. No disrespect intended here but you look at Salford not exactly a team of superstars but they have played way above expectations. Yes that is a lot to do with Rowley getting them to play his way and that’s down to right mental attitude.

It’s all well and good having top class players but you have to buy into the mentality of the coach and club. I like to think we are now going in that direction.

Keeping hold of Burgess is vital, and if the NRL does come calling and he can't resist, then getting his replacement right is even more vital.

Peet is a brilliant coach, but he had a stronger hand than Burgess when he first got the job. Burgess has done what looked impossible a year ago in unifying a broken dressing room. I think he was only able to do that because there isn't a single person in rugby league who doesn't respect him.

I really hope we can win the big one with him, because if not then I fear another few steps backwards.

Nothing wrong with our work ethic, Burgess has made that the best it’s been for a long time. I think we need a bullocking second row, a classy centre (which we have), an impact prop and a kicking game. Wigan have all four of those things listed. Centre close to sorted….signings needed for the others which I’m not sure is on the cards.

I think we are quick to forget how Wigan fared when French was out injured. They got pummelled a few times, and scraped first place, after we all had expected them to blitz the league unchallenged at the start of this year.

We've had our own injury crisis during the course of this season, but never lost by more than 10 points, and have never been out of a game. We also finished as top scorers and top defenders. That isn't to take away anything from Wigan's achievements of course, but let's not brush over the fact that Burgess came into a totally broken system and turned it 180 degrees. Nothing to be sniffed at, and a reason to be far less worried going forward than if A.N.Other coach had let us limp out of the reckoning yet again. We also have some of the best developing talent coming through, tied up on long contracts.

I don't have a major issue with those comparisons. Philbin edges Byrne - more carries, more tackle busts, more metres, better discipline - so that would be one back for us.

What is clear is that we haven't had anyone making the sort of destructive runs Mago and Nsemba do, and Smith offers more of an attacking threat and a more telling kicking game than Drinkwater. Elsewhere I think you are dealing in pretty small margins.

I think it’s safe to say that if we improve, and that’s a biggish if, we should be Wigans main rival for silverware.

Your assessments of players certainly backs up your own views. Rather a unique method. The club seems to agree with you & has strengthened SH, SR & outside back.

Did I upset you in a former life?

Perfectly reasonable to assess two teams side by side. One the champion side the other the aspirant. Nothing unique about it.

Time will tell if we have indeed strengthened. e.g. Russell will have to be a hell of a player to improve on Nicholson.

It was French, Field, Smith and O'Neill missing. The whole spine. I would challenge any team to try and cope without that. It's obviously going to impact any team if your best players are missing. Also, through that period of just over half way you could clearly see an intensity drop off for about 5 or 6 weeks. Somebody on our board says that is a planned drop off every season and then towards the end of the season everything gets ramped up to where every player is at their optimum. Our Pre-season sessions are notoriously savage. I know a former player who went into detail that includes sprinting up steps at Rivington with loaded back packs on. He said most players are physically sick at the end of it.

Mago's first carry when he came on was pure destruction. I would love a player like that again.

we've recruited, strengthened is debatable.

Careful. Their family may be reading.

Totally right. We have lost Nicholson & Drinkwater. Only time will tell if Russell & Leyland can fill their boots.