So it now looks likely Williams will be gone next year. This is now a club emergency. If O'loughlin and Tommy also retire which is likely, you do realise where that leaves us?

We will need half a new team! And many of the new players will need to be top class signings.

Ideally
1 x Centre
2 x Half Backs
2 x Props
1 x Hooker
1 x Loose Forward

At the very least you could stick with what we've got at centre and just bring in one new prop but even then we would still need 5 new signings, all of which must be genuine top class players.

Instead what we will likely get is maybe 1 or 2 decent players a couple of Bullock/Hankinson type signings and maybe a couple of promotions from youth set up. Is it any wonder Edwards is saying the things he is? He will be on a hiding to nothing before he starts unless our recent signing habits change.

Is it not IL clearing the decks for Edwards?
Would SE not prefer a lot cash to build his own team rather inherit one that may take 3-4 years to create otherwise with multiple contacts to run out?...bearing in mind it seems only to be the best players moved, does kind of slap that theory down a bit.

I can actually live with the first part of your comment, but like you said we do seem to be getting rid of our best players (or highest paid players)

All will be fine. I’m sure Lenagan and Radlinski are fully aware of the situation... no need to declare a club emergency lol. Just need to get rid of some of the dead wood too.

Williams wont be with you next year.

Are u an actual Wigan fan as not one positive post I've seen from u? Your glass always seems half full lol

Wow, Really, Did you work that one out yourself

Plenty of players in the championship for IL & KR to choose from. Heaven forbid we sign anyone of note that anyone else in SL would want.

We don’t need a centre or loose forward. Hamlin can slot into LF and we’ve got Sarginson and Gildart who are good enough for the time being. The priority just has to be new HB’s and props. I genuinely think 3/4 decent signings in that area will work wonders for us and sort a lot of our problems out. We don’t need a new centre yet, it just cannot be a priority for us.

I’ve said on another thread that we do need a new hooker who’s creative and speedy, Powell is just neither of those and it will be sad to see him go but it’s a “necessary evil”.

The problem lies in what do we prioritise? We’ve too much deadwood on the books who are here for years to come yet, we can’t just get rid of them without paying out (release) or waiting for a club to come and take them. I just can’t see IL sanctioning making 5/6 big signings without significant numbers walking out the door which therefore leads me to believe we’ll promote from within and cover most of the positions needed that way rather than bringing in new signings. It’s a sad reality I’m afraid.

I always thought that they should add another section in a card shop called "can you go now please?"

perfect clean slate for a new manager
not a problem so long as we start looking early

The thought of Hamlin as our first choice 13 does not thrill me. I like the guy as he seems like a decent bloke who tries hard but i dont think he is big enough to play prop and not skillful enough to play 13, has he ever passed the ball, i honestly cant remember him making one pass?

Agreed, we could go with what we've got at centre even though we do need some more size in the 3/4 line.

Absolute priority is a top class 7 and 6 if you do stick with Hamlin at 13 as you wont have the ball handling of O'Loughlin so your halves need to be top drawer.

Problem is, its not very often you throw that many new faces into key positions and they click straight away and even if we have the cap space where are we going to find these top class players?

of the players t replace tho, not all of them are 'top class'. look at that list:
1 x Centre
2 x Half Backs
2 x Props
1 x Hooker
1 x Loose Forward

the centres we have won the league last year. so even if they could be improved on, they are not the worst.
6,7,9 are steady with an inconsistent marquee player
props - again steady, but not GB props, so they cant be that stellar

IF Edwards comes, then his name alone will be enough to tempt some. so long as we are lining up replacements far enough out, and the expectation is not too high 1st year in, then I dont see an issue

the concern will be if the expectation is that we instantly become treble winners having changed 1/3 of the team

This is abysmal. 18mins in and we’ve played one up rugby with a powder puff defence. I hate working weekend nights but this is one of the rare occasions I’m glad I wasn’t given the option to go and pay to watch this garbage.