Apparently he’s off to Hull

Is this the same Tony Gelling who was desperate for a return to NZ, then pops up at just about every club going in England?

Another conundrum, Gelling.

Capable of amazing plays and equally amazing buffonery.

One minute he's Wigan through and through, the next he's desperate to get back to NZ, the next he wants to come to Blighty again.

I liked him, but overall we're probably well rid.

Isn't he also due in court next year?

February in Liverpool I think.

As a player, not a fan. Too unreliable.

Agree. Lots going on off the field for him and unless Gildart is away I don’t think we need a centre.

On the field I think he is a very good player capable of adding a bit of the X factor but also contributing big meters. I am sure whoever picks him up will have an asset on their hands but his time has come and gone in a Wigan shirt for me.

Off topic, but...

What's your opinion on our depth situation across centre and wing for nest season? I know we don't always agree, but good to hear what others think.

I think Bibby has showed his worth since the league restarted. He deputised for Gildart quite well and then he's made the wing spot his own too.

If we could sign another player would it be an out and out winger or another Bibby i.e cover for both? Also could Manfredi move infield one? He seems to have lost a bit of pace, but he could probably do what Gelling does.

At the moment with all the movements we know about for me an outside back isn’t a priority.

It is a meter eating prop who can put us on the front foot. If we could get Burgess in any kind of condition then we wouldn’t need to but that seems highly unlikely.

Strong talk of Hank going so I’m also removing him from the equation for next year.

The way I see it we probably start 2021 with the following centres/wing/fullback combination.

1. French
2. Manfredi
3. Gildart
4. Hardaker
5. Bibby

With Marshall still on the sidelines and Hanley and Halsall in the squad.

If we pick up an injury on the wing prior to Marshall returning then options for me are French to the wing Hardaker to 1 and Bateman into the centre.

We could also move French to the wing move Field to 1 (assuming he is a starting half) and then give Tommy/Smith a start in the halves.

We could also go with Hanley or Halsall on the wing.

When Marshall is back that frees Bibby up to play wing or centre and that gives us a lot more options.

If we are to develop Hanley and Halsall they need some opportunities next year or we may as well get let them go and move on.

I assuming the above given we must be close to the cap.

If it were an option to bring in 2 more players then yes an outside back would be the next priority after a Prop and for me it would be a specialist winger if we could.

We have as fullback options- French Hardaker Field Hanley
We have as wing options - Bibby, Marshall, Manfredi, French, Hanley, Halsall
We have as centre options - Hardaker, Gildart, Bateman, Bibby, Halsall

Looking at that from a quality and injury history point of view if we could bring in another specialist winger that would be the best option in my opinion.

I think we will run with a smaller squad due to quality of recruitment and cap pressure and at times have to rely on player versatility.

I don’t see Manfredi as a centre option. Lacks the skill set in a key position so far as I can see.

Ultimately obviously it all comes down to cap space and who is available.

Prop for me absolute priority given Burgess looks unlikely to ever be capable of a full recovery. In relation to wingmen I could see us fishing away from traditional waters for a project signing who may not be on too many radars and so not have high wage demands.

I know this would seem like madness given how well he’s played this year but I wonder if they may consider a short term move of French going back to the wing and Field going in to the fullback position. It would feel a more natural move than playing Field on the wing, when from what I gather he’s got no history of playing that position. Lammy seems very focussed on players just doing what is best for the team and until Marshall is fit, that may well be the best move we could make.

We’re stacked in the halfback position and my mind has just been ticking as to why that is. Another move I wondered if Lam may consider is for Hastings to move in to that hooking role permanently and Powell to be given Lockers 13 role. I don’t see that one happening but just throwing options around in my mind given we have 4 first team halfbacks on the books for 2021. There must be a plan to fit at least 3 of them in to the match day 17, if not all 4 considering how talented they are.

100% agree on these ones.

It's mega frustrating (for different reasons) to see Burgess, Clark and Clubb as part of our prop pool. You could make a good argument that we could get one very good player + change out of those three and be in a much better position too.

I've thought about the project part a bit too. I'd be very surprised if we couldn't find an RU winger that could fill this role and help us out on the cap.

The lad has never matured as a RL player. How long was he at Wigan? 6 years or something? His progression in 6 years was poor.
Nice lad but I think he’ll be one of those players where the penny never drops. We’re well rid of him.

Having just deleted a number of posts - please don't speculate on future legal proceedings unless you want to end up in court yourself.

Yes of great leader

Back on topic. Young Kai Pierce Paul reminds me of Gelling in his style of play. I could see him also playing out wide. The difference is that I could see KPP maturing into a more all round player.

I'm hardly surprised that the posts on this board sum up Gelling very well - can do the unusual and create try's from nothing, but then make a schoolboy error and give a score away. Quite often in the same game.