Must say looking at that...for the first time in 2 years I think we look fairly weak and Im a little worried! Last year we had class players outside the 17 and good competition for places, this year we've lost hoffman, coley, joel & deacon and have little significant quality to replace them.
Unless either we get some decent signings in, or the young lads currently in the 20s step up massively this year a'la saints last year, I think we will lose some serious ground on wire.
Last seaon Wigan and Wire were one or two divisions up from the rest of the league for the majority of the season but I see us dropping back into a league with saints, leeds, and huds fighting for a distant second unfortunately.....yes we may do a Leeds and get lucky at the end of the season but cant see us being anywhere near wire at the top next year who will walk the league by about 6-8 points IMO! We will lose games down the right hand side i fear which could become turnstylesque next year!
Frankly we need a top class centre but leneghan has obviously decided to not get his hand in his pocket judging by his comments and I think that, with massive losses in the pack, will see us lose a massive competitve edge next season.
Also McIllurum as seemingly the only first team hooker in the squad if it appears tommy is back to 7 is not far from suicide IMO. McIllurum simply isnt good enough to control a game as 1st choice hooker - interchange yes- starting hooker is a big no no!
I fear the season could rest on whether Mellor or Tomkins junior are good enough to make a massive step up to being first team regulars, giving us options in the middle, and Roberts miraculously returning to start of the season 2010 form and plugging the right wing with Charnley centre.
Interesting times but I fear we've lost too much all at once again - it will certainly be a year of transition!
Going of that id say we're a decent outside bet to retain the challenge cup but we've suddenly gone from being odds on to win everything to being one of 4/5 decent teams at the top with a reasonable chance!