Not a surprise do think Myler and Ratchford is a stronger pairing than Myler and O'brien. Nor seen enough of Russell really to form an opinion got to move on players leave and retire, transition season, go into the same as Wigan who also have lost personnel . Give the lads a chance don't have a go at new signings before they have even played for us. I have been watching wire since 1973 seen a lot of squads worse than this but not many better, look at the average age of the squad loads to look forward to for me Smith doing/done a great job careful what you wish for

Why is it "pretty obvious"?

What did you expect him to do give him the number 7 shirt in front of Myler? Who out of numbers 1 to 19 did you think he'd be in front of?

I think this is what its about. You can't replace Briers in a 'like for like' way, we will have to play in a different way. When you look at replacing people with freakish talent either in RL or other sports, its not possible to replace those people. Briers, the likes of Jason Robinson, Ronaldo, Suarez etc are not replaceable in that way. Much as it pains me to say it, Wigan are our template here - last season they lost a few experienced top quality players and reaplced them with promising youngsters and what were, on paper, clearly inferior players likes Smith and Green. That didn't stop them winning the double.

What it does for me is spread the responsibilty for playmaking and leadership more widely. It makes preseason certainly more interesting than last year and although I think there are lots of 'if's' and 'maybe's' and some reasonable concerns given the experience we have lost, I for one am looking forward to seeing how the likes of Russell, Glenn Riley, Evans, Currie and G'OB step up to the next level as well as seeing how England works out at SL level - you never know, he could be the next Chris Hill!

It will also be interesting to see how Asotasi settles in - there will certainly be high expectations on his shoulders and the fact he has missed the Word Cup to get himself fit for the new season is positive. Presumably the new 'leadership group' will feature Asotasi, Monaghan & Waterhouse but it could encourage the likes of Myler and Currie to step us as our next generation of leaders.

Yes, it would have been nice to see the name 'Thurston' down at 6 but that was never going to happen. The squad are going to have to work together to make things happen and I'm looking forward to that. Roll on 2014.

Isnt it a 25 man squad ? we have only named 24.
And as far as a big named signing is coincerned, if we need to replace Briers with a big name then we might as well get rid of all youth policies now and just buy from outside.
Why are we spending thousands on youth development if it is not to bring them into the first team????

Not too worried by this. Wire have been arguably the best team in the league for 2 or 3 years now and still haven't won it. Even if we are a step down from previous seasons we are still in with a shout.

Squad Numbers mean nothing these days

Spot on post, I'm looking forward to next season.

Truth be known, I thought if anything we'd become a bit stale last season and yes admittedly a GF win might have changed my perception. Apart from shaking things up, lowering our squad average age we need to assess where we now stand as a club and be measured not only by our recent buying power.

Roll on 2014 let's get behind this squad, we will be in the mix surely.

I thought a lack of pace in attack last year was quite a weakness. I love Briers as much as anyone else, but I am enthusiastic about a quicker half-back pairing permed from Myler, Ratch and GOB. I suspect despite his number GOB will get plenty of opportunity to show what he can do. As for Russell, if he is young, has pace and a good attitude, I'm all for him being given his chance. To me if there is a question mark on a new signing it's what attitude Asotasi will bring with him and how he'll get on living and playing in England.

Also to add, I can see Grix becoming a real key player next year, he's been on the periphery too long.

Grix was a key player last year IMO, he was outstanding in every position he was asked to play.

Really looking forward to next year with a younger squad.

Particular exciting is the age of the key positions 1, 6 and 7. I know we've got two oldies at 9 but hopefully we should be able to replace them with Dwyer developing pretty well and the constant Daryl Clark rumours.


He never ever plays him for one thing. I've also heard it directly from someone who you'd regard as a bit of an iconic figure for us.

Russell is a prime candidate for who he'd be in front of. I know he's looked very promising for Scotland but he's been up against teams that would struggle in Super League and I'm being cautiously optimistic having learned from other 'hot prospects' who've failed to live up to the overhyping (see our no. 24). The thing that would swing it in GOB's favour for me though is I feel Ratch works a lot better at fullback than he does at 6.

I'm wondering if GOB's chance will ever come. As I mentioned before there will be no vacancies at 1, 6 or 7 for the foreseeable considering the ages of Russell, Ratch and Myler. As much as I like him I can't see him being at the club long term.

I believe in Tony as much as anyone though and more than trust him despite my dissent.

Ratch won't be fit for the opener apparently so whether TS does or doesn't trust GO'B to fit the bill he'll doubtless start the season at stand-off.

Tonga, Italy or the US would NOT struggle in SL. The sides are packed with NRL talent.

Russell will excel next season but he is a very different player to Hodgson or Ratchford.

The team will be greater than the sum of its parts as were Wigan last season.

...Oh and rumours will not go away about a signing still to be announced. We shall see.

I would expect Wire to make at least one more signing.

If you have a look at the strength in depth at Wigan then they will need to.

And these two teams don't include Hopkins who has signed from Leigh, although it is unsure if Lauaki will return.

Wigan A:

Bowen
Charnley Goulding Thornley Burgess
Green Smith
Taylor McIlorum Flower
Hansen Farrell
O'Loughlin

Powell Williams Greenwood Lauaki


Wigan B
Sarginson
Manfredi Hughes Gildart Gelling
Hampshire Powell
Pettybourne Tomkins Dudson
Burke Clubb
Bateman

Crosby Tierney Lloyd Lever