Powell over Mellor for me.

Assuming (dangerous as it may be) that we'll start games with Finch, Tommy and Mick Mc. I'd hope to see Logan/Powell on the bench in each game this season.

Yeah if we don't get them in to the side with a regular run of games this year I'd be worried for 2013, taking a huge step backwards. Having kids who haven't played hardly any first grade coming in in the key positions to replace Tommy and Finch and expecting them to be ready, could leave us unstuck. May as well have a transition year this year and see them blossom before 2013 where they can take the league by storm ala Lomax and Gaskell did (albeit Lomax played all over their lineup before getting his spot)

I've heard a rumour that Matty Russell has been told to expect alot of first team action this coming season at Full Back. Powell has the capability to become a top class half back and I truly believe once Powell & Mellor both get into the 6 & 7 spot they'll be there for some time.

So Russell at 1, Powell and Mellor in the halves.

Tomkins to Saints?



I'd like to see Tomkins play more at 6 to be honest (from an England POV) - he's ropey under kicks and positionally not the best and I think he'd be more useful in the "will he/won't he pass" position in the halves rather than at FB when we all know when he's going to run the ball.

He's that good a player in both positions I dont think people will ever agree but I think he is so much better from the fullback position, but he NEEDS a decent halfback pairing to set plays up plus others running the right lines so he can chime in to the line in space. He was wasted for most of the 4N because Sinfield and Chase weren't doing this.

From a Wigan perspective I expect we're going to mostly see Finch and Tommy at 6 and 7 with Mellor and/or Powell getting plenty of chances to step in as a permanent replacement when Tommy leaves with the possibility Finch might as well at the end of the season. From an England perspective I think Sam at 1, Widdop at 6 and Lomax at 7 could be the spine of the team for years to come.

What happened to the cockney guy we picked up - Jamie Acton?

We'll certainly know far more about how good our young lads at the club are under Shaun Wane this season than we ever would have under Madge's tenure at the club. No-one really knows whether Matty Russell will be a good fullback, Sam Powell a good halfback until they're given a shot.

Let's hope we find a couple of gems.

Bit harsh on Madge, he clearly didnt think any of the youngsters were ready last year and liked using his full strength squad at every opportunity. That's not to say if he stayed here longer he would never have used them.

It was pretty short sighted not to debut any of Logan, Mellor or Powell last year though, knowing that we would be losing Deacon and not replacing him. I'm not convinced Madge would have done that if he was staying.

Fair comment, I didn't mean it to come across as a dig at Madge. Although he could have and in hindsight perhaps should have utilised his squad more (Mellor/Crosby/Hughes) on occasions last year.