Fair play to Cas they were the better of two poor teams. I don't think either side played particularly well. That could have had something to do with the ball being like a bar of soap for most of the game, but obviously that's the same for both teams.

I think Cas just nullified our attack more. We couldn't get our second phase attack going due to their wingers pushing up and suffocating our attack. That's one of the few cricisms I'll level at us these past few years is our inability to have a plan B when this happens. There were times on Friday when we just looked lost and it harked back to the Noble-era one man rugby.

It wasn't funny at the time though - I remember Carney and Webster murdering us down our left side that game. Think Hughes was at centre?

So it seems no one wants to pass comment on what your gonna be like without tomkins ?

Maybe like most normal, rational human beings, they're opting to wait and see.

You don't know who they'll sign in the closed season?

Still better than you

Sorry my crystal balls in the wash!

Can anyone offer a convincincing argument that we aren't a "one-man" team? Results when Sam doesn't play aren't good. We have excellent players in Lockers/Pat/Josh/Faz/H/MMac etc but take Sam out and we really struggle (Leeds away, Huddersfield away, Widnes away).

Obviously we could sign someone, but I don't see anyone good enough in SL apart from maybe Greg Eden (joke) or Hardaker (who I doubt we could get) and whilst there are about a dozen NRL fullbacks who we'd fancy, would any of them come over?

Moving Josh to full back may be the best solution because he has all of the attributes needed, but SW doesn't seem too keen to play him there. He must have his reasons, maybe Josh doesn't fancy it there (He was doing pretty well at Huddersfield until Gelling got injured forcing Josh to go back on the wing).

If Josh did go FB we'd need two wingers. It may just be easier to find wingers than a full back right now.

By the way, it always kills me when opposition fans say Wigan are a "one man team" - but he's crap anyway!!!!! (Go figure, as the yanks say)

Anthony Minichiello is rumoured to be coming on a one year plus one year option contract, which would sort the fullback spot out short term and give th likes of Tierney, Hampshire, Burgess, Fell etc time to progress.

Charnley would be a grat running fullback and he'd be safe in defence but his link up play would be the major issue. If we continue to employee the tactics we use at present then we must have that 'extra halfback' at fullback who can score himself and make breaks but also create for others.

It's a tricky situation. It may be that we need to start varying the way we play a little.

Agree totally. What people forget is that Sam makes as many as he scores, and there is no-one in Super League who comes near to combining those talents.

Varying the way we play makes more sense than trying to replace Sam like for like.

I never said tomkins was crap ? Im just sick of people stating cas are a one man team and nothing is said about wigan. Which nrl player who is that good will come to superleague.if there in tomkins class they will stay over there and get more money.with the budget cas have to spend wins over leeds and wigan this season speaks volumes.we willnever have the money of other clubs but we do have passion and you will see a better team 2014 now powell is coach and not the mad aussie

Do you think the fragrant Countess will settle in Wigan? ~ I think Cheshire may be more her style. Maybe they have an option on Wayne Rooney's gaff when he leaves this summer!

I can see another "family issues" contract being torn up here. I give it 3 months! Great player though.