I am not getting into hysterics about last night. Yes it was poor and we looked burnt out but overall for a transition season am happy with the way we finished the season. Don't forget, we had the Edwards saga for most of the season and Lam was in limbo for the majority of it. We were beaten by the better side last night and will be a Salford fan come next Saturday. We have some exciting signings to look forward to next season but before they arrive someone needs to make some big decisions at the club because we are carrying far too many passengers. We have players like Flower starting games who wouldn't be even 5th choice at Saints.

J. Burgess - "Wants another crack at the NRL" Yeah i would drop that dream. He will be lucky to end up at West Wales Raiders
Sammut - Poor panic buy who hasn't been terrible when played but not the standard
Hankinson - There was a reason he was playing for Swinton - Another panic buy
Flower - Too small and just not good enough in general
Clubb - Terrible in defence and attack and his fitness is woeful
Lockers - Time to call it a day. Bang average nowadays. Reminds me of a racehorse. Used to be pattern class but now struggles in Class 5 events.
Powell - Improved this season but Lussick is still a Salford player, get a bid in
Navarrette - poor in defence and attack and has handling skills like Tautai

Props next season should be G. Burgess, Clark, Bullock, Partington, Byrne, Havard. The rest need letting go along with the fringe players who have no future here like Woods and Shorrocks

The problem is that Radlinski doesn’t know how to wield an axe

Radlinski is a rugby player in a suit, not a Chief Exec of a Business.

Exactly and it’s at this level where we need a new signing

Players will go, that was confirmed at the fans forum. I don’t think now is the time for hysterics about who goes. Some fringe players will leave (Escare, Sammut and Navarette is my guess) and new blood is coming in. That includes some really good signings (impressed with Bibby last night and Hastings is clearly a couple of steps up from Williams) and some excellent youngsters. They will push the underperforming players out of the team ‘if’ Lam drives competition and picks on form not reputation.

There is class and competition for places all over the squad next year and a couple of bad weeks to end this season doesn’t change that. If the coach is the right man for the job is still a pretty big question for me but he’ll have no excuses with the squad he’s been given for 2020 IMO.

Wigan need to get out of the jobs for the boys mentality, we need to make sure (esp if the background) that we are recruiting based on ability and experience not did they once play for Wigan. Fresh thinking is needed and that goes right to the top.

Yes some players need to move on - no doubt (Clubb 2 year deal for me is a total brain fart for example - why???) .

Add Escare into that mix, a player with another twelve months left on his contract. Reportedly on a high wage (no wonder he won't leave), needs to be shipped out on loan again to reduce our losses. No point having a player in the reserves on sky high money and not contributing to the first team.

For me Sammut, Navarette, Escare, Clubb, Hankinson and Greenwood can all be shown the door.

Bring in another prop, one who’s a stat machine not a YouTube sensation, someone boring like Anthony England, Grant Millington or George Griffin. Not someone who’s going to break the bank but someone who will take drives, make yards, just a plodder. Replace Tony Clubb with this type of player we will have a decent pack.

I am told quite reliably from a current member of the backroom staff at Wigan that I still work with there was a lot of discord among the group over the last week, I was told a few of the younger players felt agitated that the seniors didn't contribute enough in the St Helens game and something was said that created a bit of tension/division. Lam stayed out of it and the performance last night showed how that masterstroke played out.

As much as I was told from the 'horses mouth' there is no truth in the return home for Zak, I am becoming more and more sure Bevan was signed as a replacement for him next year. I don't want to delve into it, I just honestly can't see him wearing Cherry & White next year. Cas now have the cap space to bring him back. I would expect an announcement not long after the Grand Final, if not before given neither clubs have any involvement. Hull KR, Huddersfield and Toronto were all very interested in Bevan French offering him guaranteed first team footie at full back, be a bit strange if he signed for us to happily play utility or back up.

Joe Greenwood looks odds-on to be out, the player/club relationship soured over him being officially cleared to play but refusing as he didn't feel right after his last concussion, his balance is off massively and he is getting migraines. I am not the biggest Tony Clubb fan, but what I do know is he agreed heavily reduced terms and it is a good deal for the club for a back-up player. I think this will be reflected in the squad numbers for next year.

Partington is far too small to play prop, he needs to play wider. There's no doubting his heart and bravery but he's physically too small as the last two weeks have shown.

Zak isn’t going anywhere, most of Luke Gales wages are being spent on Danny Richardson and that will just about bring them up to the cap

Yep i agree regarding Hardaker Richie. I think he will be on his way. He has been decent but i dont think he will be a huge loss. We need more strike from FB as in Tomkins MK 1. Hardaker is steady in defence but not much more. lost his zip and just doesnt seem like he wants to be here. I am glad we signed him but wont be heartbroken if he leaves.

Lenighan hinted in his speech at the recent fans forum that French may well play full back with Zak at right centre next season.

I think that makes us a stronger side.

Imagine that would give a back line of:

French
Marshall
Zak
Gilly
Budgy
????
hastings

If the youngsters have opened their mouths about the elders not pulling their fingers out I think that’s fantastic and a good sign for the future, they were right. If the elders have had a go back and Lam has left it then he is part of the problem too, if he’s not got the balls to have tough conversations with experienced players then he’s in the wrong job.

If Hardaker goes I’ll be disappointed as I think next season he will be back to his best, especially with a good pre season under his belt.

Joe Greenwood can go, he’s a good player but he’s too soft. No shame in that, it’s just the way he is.