He’s a cracking player Johnstone when fully fit and playing but so is Manfredi. I just don’t see us not renewing a guy with a history of injury problems to then replace him with a guy with a history of injury problems and who now has some real issues with concussions. Even if a potential asking price went down, I still think Johnstone would cost more in wages than Manfredi and then you’re spending more money to sign a player with probably more injury risks and who isn’t any better than Manfredi when both are at their best (both players top level is extremely high).

If the Manfredi decision is a financial one, I expect Bibby will be on the right wing next season. If it’s a case of having an option to sign a player in his place, than I’d expect a move for a Tom Davies or an NRL winger ahead of Johnstone.

I think the next few months is a really important time for our squad development. If we get it right, with some real talent, the club can really put bums on seats and compete at the highest level again for years to come. However, I fear if we get it wrong then we’ll go on a downward spiral again that could take a very long time to recover from.

We've got too much leadership going/gone to let Powell go as well IMO. We need some level of continuity

I think we are already on it and have been for 3 seasons. We haven't improved in any area in that time.

Yep, can see your point. Despite that we still got within 5 seconds of a GF win and we have a real opportunity to step up.

Don't think i have ever been as frustrated being a Wigan fan. The league has been there for the taking for the last couple of years and we haven't won it with all that talent at the coach's' disposal. It's all a massive failure and a gigantic one if we fail again this year.

I find this strange as I’m sure we have not been favourites to win the title for a few years.

Now I know favourites don’t always win titles but the wording in this makes it sound like we were clear favourites when we haven’t been.

Keep French for as long as possible

Keep Powell

Offer Manfredi another 1 year “prove it deal” if he takes a longer deal elsewhere so be it.

Let Isa go - been a warrior but 32 now, behind Faz and Bateman. I liked to see Smithies more at back row too.

Bibby I’m not blow away by but in a salary cap sport he maybe be worth a new deal.

Clubb should have gone in 2019.

Tommy - retire, Grown up watching him and what a player but it’s Smiths time.

French - Keep - Outstanding fullback and we can't afford to lose another pacey threat with Gildart going.

Manfredi - It's a 50/50. If we can't bring in anyone better on the wing, or sign a centre better than Thornley, then it seems pointless to let him leave. If we could sign Davies back or a decent centre to allow Bibby to play wing then maybe it's time to move him on. There are some variables with this decision.

Leuluai - Solid defender but what attacking threat has he shown so far this year? Playing him ahead of Smith seems overly negative. Time for him to move into his coaching role full time.

Powell - Love him or hate him I'm not sure the current recruitment options are much better. He has a particular style of play and I think we'd benefit from having another more direct option at 9 (possibly something meant for Hastings before Field and Leuluai got injured). Most teams play with an interchange 9 and we're the only team without a recognised 9 in reserve, so I think we need to keep Powell and also look at how we might add a bit more at 9. Bourouh and O'Neill might have something to offer after a year of Championship rugby.

Isa - I've seen a few suggest we should keep him but where does he play? Faz and Bateman are both 80 minute back rowers. If Isa was on the bench then he'd almost certainly be keeping one of our young forwards out of the side and those youngsters tend to be the ones playing well. Just seems like now is the time to move on, unless we have a real recruitment crisis and struggle to bring in any more forwards.

Clubb - For the love of god don't make the same mistake again.

Never say never for us but its looking likely that Saints could complete the treble this season and do it without playing particularly well either (so far this season). Very frustrating as without a few key injuries and with an astute prop signing to replace George Burgess it could very well have been us.

I think that O'Neil is probably next in line to cover at hooker. He seems to have leapfrogged Amir Borough with his recent performances for Widnes in a struggling team. I would expect to see him getting game time next season.

Signed on a 3 year deal.....so another season to go after this one!

A friend of mine is a big Widnes fan and season ticket holder. I asked him about O'Neills performances there, he was full of praise or him.

This actually gives me hope.

Let's not forget that 4 years ago or so, Saints were a good side but not like the one we see today. They moved on from a flashy FB to one that can create and work the ball, saw a massive development from Thompson & made a couple of "here and now" signings like Taia and Naiqama.

Oh they also moved on from a crap coach who happened to be a club legend.

Now I'm not saying that we'll see that up turn, but there are similarities with the situation we find ourselves in today.

Bevan French (potential 1 year option in players favour) - He'll be off
Dom Manfredi - Too injury prone. Get rid unless he plays 90% of all games this season, then 1yr deal.
Jake Bibby - Give him a year's extension
Tommy - Time to retire
Sam Powell - 2 year deal?
Willie Isa - 2 year deal?
Tony Clubb - Not a hope in hell of another deal..

I cannot remember a season where so many clubs have been chasing so few targets. The uncertainty is likely to lead to some poor decision making along the way with average players being overvalued. Add this to the general feeling that as a club we are just not in control of the recruitment hamster wheel and as a fan I lack confidence in our ability to upgrade the team. It is a worrying position to be in because decisions will need to be made now that will affect us for years. When I hear that we may be in for the likes of Richardson, Mason and Thornley I worry. Although they each have their good points we would be setting out our stall for the next few years and it does not look good.

I've heard similar. He's in the right place at the moment though, getting regular first team games. Hopefully, we can start to reap the benefit from next season

Now that Leigh seem to be having a fire sale is there anyone else who might end up at Wigan. What about the other Greenwood? Is he still there?

Manfredi has a clear run for the rest of the season as he won't really have much competition for his place. If he stays injury free and shows some decent form then keep him. If he sadly breaks down again then it perhaps makes the decision for us.

Widnes posted pictures of him on social media yesterday saying how incredible it is that the lad is only 18 years of age. They said he’s been unbelievable so far. I read a few replies from the Widnes fans saying he’s the best loan player they can remember. All very positive and you’re spot on that he’s in the right place for this season. I’d imagine after his year there, that he’ll come back here and challenge for a spot next season.

One other factor is how patient Manfredi will be. If he gets a good offer elsewhere, then he may well just sign that and you can’t really blame him. I can’t blame Wigan for not wanting to sign him up just yet. I’d want to have a look at him for at least another 6-10 games and then decide.

Think I saw a comment from Manfredi along the lines of "not worrying about it, just want to concentrate on rugby"... not sure that's the best way to manage it considering offers might disappear.

The fact we haven't just offered him a 1 year deal means we're unlikely to offer him anything IMO.

Surely if Marshall regains fitness, then Manfredi and Bibby will be battling for the right wing slot?

Without French you’d imagine they’ll be paired on the right side with Manfredi on the wing and Bibby centre.

The problem with that is contract extension decisions are made in June, well before the back end of the season. The club need to either bite the bullet, hope he stays injury free and puts in good performances or let him go.