Confirmation of Madge's thinking here tho, basically confirms Sam will stay @ 1. Very surprised Finch wasn't given 6 with Tommy taking the 9 jersey.

I think Maguire's done a good job there. He won't have put anyone's nose out by kicking them down the pecking order just to accommodate a new signing.

Looking at the squad numbers it screams to me that it'll be based purely on form rather than anything else, which after all is what Madge has said from day one and he's stuck to it so good on him for that. The only downside for some maybe the fact that the number the player's wear on their back may not actually correspond to the position they'll be playing in.

Strong looking squad. The best in SL for mine.

I think its kinda obvious what Wigan are doing here - they've picked the numbers in this way so they can claim that 10 out of their first 13 are now English.

I think in all likelihood Hoffman, Finch, Lima and possibly even Roberts will all start. If this was reflected in the squad numbers, it might provoke more criticism.

That is the strongest squad we've had for years.

What's peoples feelings on Goulding being given the 2 jersey?
I've heard rumours that Amos' head wasn't completely there at the end of last season, as a result of the squad numbers, do you think that taking the jersey from Amos will spare him on to be the player he was at the start of last season or do you think it will have the opposite effect? Big move by Madge that, but one that I applaud

I was thinking:

00. Kooga

Everyone of those in the 1-13 have earned the jersey and it's nice to see the new signings having to earn the jersey.

Well done to Micky McIlorum especially

Agreed. No weakness in that side for me.

It also doesn't answer some of the questions people may have re our line up (Well with the exception of Sam now being a fullback). Very clever.

Everyone in the starting 13 played here last season, any new signings must earn their way into an already champion team.

The deapth in the squad blows everyone else out of the water IMO.

Thoroughly deserved. Mike Maguire/Shaun Wane would have contradicted their own ethos of 'earning a place in the 17' had Goulding not been given the number 2 shirt.

Correct it does. We also have the five lads who've been promoted to the first team this year and Gareth Hock who will be returning mid-season.

I don't want to say too much before we even kick a ball, but I can't remember a time when we had such a strong squad outside the starting 17.

Very exciting times to be a Wigan fan.

Charnley could be in for a monster year, the last 2 players with 25 haven't done badly.