Had an interesting conversation with a friend of mine who is a cousin of a recent ex player. Main point of the conversation were

The Players were extremely happy with Powell getting the coaching job and all think that he will make a first class coach and that all the players will be behind him. He apparently involves the experienced players in the thought process and apparently mac wanted nothing to do with that approach.

Clubby does not want to play centre (even after representing) and wants to play in the forwards. Mac would not change him from the centres. Powell is currently looking for a loan centre and if one cant be found will be adding a couple more backrowers and will be swapping Rob Purdham to the centres and Clubb to play some front row.

Mac was well liked as a person but my friends cousin could not believe how old fashioned mac was as a coach

Dave Hughes was trying to get a deal sorted out with the RFL for a long time before it was done and believe it cost him the chance to sign the right big name players that they wanted so there is an agreement to send some more of ?Wigan's promising young guys here on a season loan.

This year will the expectations are for a fair year and trying to just improve a little on last year and that 2012 will see two marquee signings with one a fair way down the track in negotiations now.

Seemed pretty genuine and will be interesting to see how much comes to fruition

Halfbacks are traditionally weak in defense, so that is why a second row who is supposed to be best in defense is next to him making sure he is never tackling someone alone. That's one of the main priorities of a second rower is to protect the halfback.

There are only two keys, staying for and winning games. Hopefully we will not have any self-inflicted injuries pre-season like we had last year. The big issue in London is bums on seats, that will take a little more than winning games but it will help!

pop panther! you got it right, key to success
win more games than we lose!!!!

Yes, it is bl**dy obvious, but in London you cannot build a regular crowd if you lose most of your home games, there are two many alternatives in terms of entertainment. I would rest players when playing the top away sides and make sure we win at home, nobody but the hardcore know about away games and no London media, apart from the Twickenham Times cover the games. Players have to realise they are part of the strategy of building the game in London. When we are stronger we can compete away with the big boys. It is the likes of Wakey, Cas, Salford and Catalans we should target away from home. BTW when did we last win at Wakey?

You cant do that-you have to challenge each game-How do you get combinations going both in attack and defence without testing them week in week out-What you could consider is leaving a 50 50 injury's out in a game where it is probable we will lose, but to rest players would be a mistake.