A very fair and difficult challenge but I will give it a go.
Firstly we were told we made an offer for Ferres therefore, I can only assume that we had the cash and/or cap space to accommodate that signing so let's exchange that for a prop.

My gripe with MM is that he should play 80 minutes if he can't why on earth would you extend his contract and I assume increase his salary? I still like MM albeit that I feel he hasn't played well for over a year. If he can't play 80 minutes then get shut. That's sounds very arrogant but why would anyone pay top dollar for a player who can't play a full 80?
What if ST comes back and can only play 40 minutes per game? Would that be acceptable?
Our second highest earner I suspect is SOL who again we seem to accept will probably play 50% of game time. It's the logic of the madhouse.

Now to the hardest bit specialist centres. Our game is now played by bit players many of whom have had and never will have a specialist position which pardon the pun we seem to specialise in. In the long term we need to accept that centre is a very specialist role that needs to be developed over years and not a pre season ala Joel Tomkins and Jack Hughes.
In the short term I'd give Charnley go there and Gildart. Longer term when SOL retires then his salary can be allocated for a replacement centre.
As I say very difficult but Gelling in particular surely can't be the answer.

I don't pretend to have all the answers and I know that no one person has. My frustration is that we are clearly lacking in several areas but the club seem to pursuing a policy of mediocrity and bit part players.
Last year from a playing point of view was quite painful for me with the odd interlude from Williams, Burgess and Bowen.
I know I can't be right on everything but unless we improve on our performances what I do know is that the atmosphere at the ground will continue to decline as will attendances.
I sincerely hope I'm wrong and will take great pleasure in being told that I'm an Harris if this team delivers any improvement in terms of success this season.

If you read the latest (wigan evening news) then it is surprising that McM played as much as he did given that he had little pre-season, only started training fully a week before the Catalan game. I suspect that we will see more of him in games going forward.

It's not just Wigan who do it though is it? So there is obviously a reason. Just watch the tv games over the next few weeks (here and in aus) and take note.

It will be interesting to see how it's handled if we end up reducing our interchange down to 10 or 8 in the future. The NRL are cutting down on this and it will mean forwards will be required to do longer stints.

Players like Isa, Farrell, Bateman etc will be invaluable as they play big minutes and can cover various positions.

Robot like coaching again......which Noble was slaughtered for.

We need to bring more imagination to using the interchange bench.

I know they will be using statistics they have from training and pre-season to when they get to the red line of being over worked but changing Micky Mac when he ok to carry on is just stupid.

Agreed. Was a testament to his desire and dedication to see him play.