I’ve got nothing against Ratchford. Good pro, seems to be a likeable man and has served the club well over the years. But the speed and elusiveness has faded away, and with it the threat. He can still catch and pass, but that should be a prerequisite.

It’s a Warrington thing. We often hold on to those who have served us well for too long. We did it with Westwood, accommodated him in a different position because he’d lost the ability to play his proper role.

A bench spot, maybe. Cover across the backline and a bit of 9/13 at a stretch. But he just doesn’t have it in him to be a strike weapon in 2023.

Developed into an excellent goal kicker though, to his credit.

In addition Ratchford was the last full back that I felt confident about when a bomb went up.

60/40 for me

This season centre has been our weakest position..... Next season it could be our strongest... There will certainly be competition and plenty of running power.

That’s MY confident after 51(!) years. For many of those I was petrified when the ball was passed, let alone a bomb!

Yes, but the problem is, you're supposed to kick it from behind the 40 and get it past the 20. I don't care how good his shorter kicks are...

If we're looking at a direct replacement for Mata'utia but with more pace, I think I've found ithttps://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/112626-fastest-moving-crustacean-on-land#:~:text

The Ghost CrabRunning sideways rather than forwards, they have been timed at speeds of up to 4 m per second.'"

Aaron Lindop is a big, quick centre to keep am eye on. He is only in his first year U18 and was injured for the first half of the season but has still made quite a mark this year.Top try scorer with 16 atm including a sequence of 3,3,3,1 in his last four games. He played 5 games for the Reserves, 7 for the U18's and one for Lancs. Academy.

A few commas in your post wouldn’t go amiss.

But would his legs make a tasty meal afterwards?

Now the dust has settled just wondered what the thoughts are on Toby King returning?

How will he be received.

Been very vocal about how positive his time at Wigan has been and also had a couple of thinly veiled digs at Fitzpatrick for the way he handled the rifts created by Powell.

I’m sad to see him leave Wigan think we will be worse for not having him, just curious to see the thoughts of the Warrington faithful.

He was out of form in 2022 and threw a hissy fit after an honest appraisal from the coach (allegedly). Was never the same after signing a big money contract. I'm sure there's truth in the Fitzpatrick murmurings, but at the time Fitzpatrick was tasked with getting a coach who would eradicate the comfort culture. Maybe he had to trust Powell's judgement as the old way hadn't worked under Price.

In hindsight, the best thing (for the club anyway) would have been to drop him and explain why (handled by the player welfare manager). However, this is a clean slate and hopefully the Wigan environment has forced him to grow up a bit and readied him for the wrath of Burgess (who I'm certain will be happy to drop any player not giving 100% every week).

Time will tell.

hmm I think that it ill have opened his eyes to how a professional sucessful club is ran. his form automatically changed as soon as he turned to for wigan.

I think most fans will be sceptical about his return and he will be asked to "prove" himself which I dont think he has to do, he is a grand final winner and was instrumental in their succesfull season which is ironic given most people on here were talking about him being average and a mid table centre ?

I have maintained for a long time we are toothless in the centre and I do think its a very important position, the best centres in the league throughout super league history have all ended up as grand final winners we have been lacking in this for an awful ling time king and tai look to be a more strike orientated pair with wrench to cover for them .

ratchford is a hard player to asses as he is competent in many positions but excels in none he has probably been a victim of his own versatility and caused many coaches headaches of where to fit him in. theoretically if we did not have ratchford we could have signed an alternative that the coach wanted and fitted into his plans.

As mentioned there were some off field issues that affected his reputation within the club, moving in to a new environment - especially one like Wigan - It's always easier to 'tow the line'. The issue is the salary he is on which obviously isn't his fault. For the money he should be one of the best strike centres in the competition, he isn't he's solid, dependable and does his job well but he's not going to create something from nothing.

He's a positive person, so doesn't surprise me he's been vocal how much he enjoyed his time at Wigan - he did the same at Warrington for 95% of his career so far and I'd expect that to continue in 2024.

At the end of the day, Powell wanted him gone, probably because of his salary as much as Powell waning to enable change of attitude within the squad. Powell wanted to remodel the squad playing wise, having that kind of salary available by moving King on was probably very tempting for Powell - especially if there were off field issues. He also brought in a better player IMO in Wardle, real shame we couldn't keep hold of him.

Powell is gone, King is back, I'm sure as long he is being seen to be putting in the effort he will be welcomed back.