I understand entirely what your getting at and its only opinions but i personally think last off season he added some significant weight to his frame and it made a huge difference to his physicality. I would like to think he has done the same this off season and hoping he can step up to a front line prop. IMO he has more potential than Mossop as he's got more aggression and is more nimble on his feet around the ruck, plus his tackling technique is better.

I think the GF was Crosby's 26th or 27th game of the season.
The idea of an extra senior prop has plenty logic and perhaps either Lauaki or Powell were expected to be that man. It appears that neither may play much if at all this season.
Wouldn't surprise me if we went with what we've got at the moment. If an opportunity came to sign someone outstanding then it might be taken.
The props of Flower, Taylor, Dudson, Crosby and Pettybourne so seem to be what Wane is looking for these days. Big, mobile, skillful and able to do a high work rate and the capacity to play 60 mins a game.

Quote The Yellow Giraffe="The Yellow Giraffe"Interesting article here with regards to Shaun Wane and his view on the supposed dying art of the impact prop. m.wigantoday.net/sport/wigan-war ... -1-6364760'" So now do you want to compare them? Quote The Yellow Giraffe="The Yellow Giraffe"Cheers for that. But we were comparing Amor and Pettybourne. '" www.rlwc2013.com/player/mose-masoe/251 www.rlwc2013.com/player/eddy-pettybourne/233 We know that Pettybourne can do 50/60 minutes. You know Masoe can't. if that makes it better.

Quote The Yellow Giraffe="The Yellow Giraffe"Interesting article here with regards to Shaun Wane and his view on the supposed dying art of the impact prop. m.wigantoday.net/sport/wigan-war ... -1-6364760'" So now do you want to compare them? Quote The Yellow Giraffe="The Yellow Giraffe"Cheers for that. But we were comparing Amor and Pettybourne. '" www.rlwc2013.com/player/mose-masoe/251 www.rlwc2013.com/player/eddy-pettybourne/233 We know that Pettybourne can do 50/60 minutes. You know Masoe can't. if that makes it better.

Quote Rogues Gallery="Rogues Gallery"So now do you want to compare them? www.rlwc2013.com/player/mose-masoe/251 www.rlwc2013.com/player/eddy-pettybourne/233 We know that Pettybourne can do 50/60 minutes. You know Masoe can't. if that makes it better.'" What's your point?

Quote Rogues Gallery="Rogues Gallery"So now do you want to compare them? www.rlwc2013.com/player/mose-masoe/251 www.rlwc2013.com/player/eddy-pettybourne/233 We know that Pettybourne can do 50/60 minutes. You know Masoe can't. if that makes it better.'" What's your point?

I have no doubt he will be better than mossop in a season or 2. I watched all the plays offs on wigan tv and it was interesting on how good mossop actually played through out i think the poor world cup has twisted peoples opinion of him, he was defiantly first prop on the team sheet when fit. looking at the preseason pictures he doesn't look any bigger but i think as he gets older he will naturally fill out and when he does he will be one of the best in super league because its obvious he has the right attitude. But for this season with the big games i think we will be a little light.

One of the other players picked out Crosby as one to watch this season in an interview recently because he said he's huge after working hard in pre season bulking up.

I'm a big fan. I do hope he doesn't put too much weight on though because I think he can add a lot by being one of those athletic props that is mobile and gets round the field well. He has an aggressive streak that I like and will continue to improve.

As for Dudson he has an awful lot to prove IMO. He looks impressive physically nowadays but he needs to run his weight more, not die in contact and he also needs to work on his discipline. He'd be my 5th choice prop at this moment in time.

I think you have backed yourself into a corner here. Essentially Pettybourne has replaced Mossop. We were in no way short in the big games last year. Why would we be this?

because we have lost mossop, prescott, Lauaki, powell and hansen if things got bad leaving only 5 props and all of them being so young makes us light next year. Its hardly an unusual circumstance to have 2 or 3 props injured but usually a couple of youngsters can step up but we are already relying on them as first team props this season. I would feel a lot more comfortable having 6 first team props and a couple of youngsters pushing.

You are gilding the lily a bit including Prescott and Lauaki in your argument. Powell was a liability. Hansen played exclusively in the second row. We played with virtually a second choice pack for the first third of the season anyway. Prescott never played and Lauaki was poor. They won't be missed. Mossop may well be missed but who knows Pettybourne may turn out to be an improvement. From what I saw in the World Cup games at Wrexham and Salford he was impressive

Greenwood and Clubb can prop so can Burke. That's Eight by my reckoning I've probably forgotten someone. Why do people have to be so glass half full about this. From last season Taylor and Crosby will improve so will Flower. We will be stronger in the pack.

Just as an aside take look at the stats for average gain last season from Crosby and Taylor over Hansen who let's not forget does a lot of his running out wide. I am convinced we will be stronger.

Sorry to be so positive!!!

prescott fair enough he didn't play, but lauaki wasn't poor in my opinion just average but he was another actual prop with size and didn't struggle to make meters. Hansen played a little bit at prop if injuries got really bad and we don't have that option unless Clubb becomes a lot more physical. Mossop was first choice prop for Wigan and i really like Pettybourne but not sure if he will completely cover mossop who in my opinion became some what of a corner stone.

I am far from a glass half empty kind of person i was one of the few people saying we will be stronger last year. I just post my opinion and my opinion is we will struggle if a couple of props get injured. We have a very young team and we could do with a seasoned prop.

Biggest concern I have with Dudson is his indiscipline in defence. He cost us the game v Saints away last season.

I think he has a lot to prove this season and i think he is good enough to do it, hopefully he stays injury free. When he starts to get a good run of form up he picks up an injury and sets him back.