I think there is a case to be made for, at some point, sticking with what you have got. Our relatively large turnover of players could be viewed as detrimental IMO. Look how Leeds have remained unchanged for a decade in key areas. That stability is something I crave and if we relinquish crop after crop of kids, well, maybe that's the price to be paid.

Would you be happy to see the likes of Hampshire, Manfredi, Shorrocks etc released to keep Bateman? I'm playing devils advocate btw. I accept it's a difficult decision, but it's always going to be a problem if we keep churning out the young talent.

The point I'm making is that I don't want to hear calls for the next young thing to replace Manfredi, Bateman, etc as soon as those players reach the age of 24. Stick with this group for years to come and let the up and comers move on. Do you think Leeds had no great half back prospects coming through when Burrow and McGuire were in their mid 20s? I don't know if they did or not but what isn't in dispute is that Leeds had a squad chock full of players with 10 years or more on the clock - and now their trophy cabinet is chock full too. Coincidence? Well, maybe. I for one would like us to follow that route and see what happens.

The problem with that argument is that you could stick with someone and ignore someone better. What has happened at Leeds is unique I'm afraid and is unlikely to be repeated, especially by Leeds, as we shall see.

If you had identified Mellor and Powell from our Under 20 GF winning team a few years back and stuck with them as your argument suggests, you would have risked losing Williams and Hampshire.

Fair point but there comes a time when you have to settle on some players and stop keep changing and allow a team to develop - changing key positions every year or two is not a long term route to success, if that means missing out on a player who goes on to develop elsewhere so be it. That is the sad fact in the method Wigan have chosen - by developing young players you inevitably have to let some go who are or could be better than what you have!

A settled side is far more important than missing out on one or two talents imo. For example I'd personally have been happy if we'd have kept Green through to the day he retired even if that meant Williams had a tougher fight for the shirt. Having class and consistency is what turns good teams into dominant teams imo.

I'm also a firm believer that those who are good enough will always force thier way into a side. Williams would always eventually force his way in over Smith as he's a better player. Likewise there was no way in hell that Sam wasn't going to make it likewise Lockers, Faz & Rads.

Mellor and Powell? I'd still have Kevin Brown and Luke Robinson!

The problem with that is that Williams wouldn't be playing and would want away. We have a similar problem now with Hampshire, and there'll be hell on here if he leaves. They can't force themselves into the team if they're not playing anywhere.

Couldn't agree more. I've always argued that class will tell in the long run that's why I'm so ambivalent about Hampshire. If he's good enough he will get his place. But that doesn't necessarily make for a settled side does it? Because you have to let the talent in when it knocks down the door.

True.

I think as long as there's a honest and fair selection policy we shouldn't need to worry. If that is in place then the side will eventually even itself out. It's also why I don't think signing new players will face anyone of worth out either. If we signed a much needed prop Sutton might struggle initially but eventually he's that good that he'll displace someone in front of him.

This current Wigan team are arguably the most exciting crop of youngsters in recent memory (shame we couldn't have kept Burgess too). They went toe to toe with a massively experienced Leeds team and came a hair's breadth from taking the championship.

If the squad is managed correctly, this could be the beginning of our golden generation. They simply have to hold this team together now.

That's up to Ian Lenagan isn't it. If Leeds can do it and Saints can do it then we should also be able to do it.

We can't afford for the player drain to continue. The older heads in the squad (Lockers, MM, Farrell, Clubb, Tomkins x2) seem like they'll be here for a good while yet so it's all about getting these young lads tied down. Aside from Bateman/Hampshire we seem to have the majority on long deals now (Manfredi, Gildart, Williams, Sutton and Powell all signed long term deals within the last 6-12 months).

One thing I did note on Twitter was the Wigan lads taking the Mick out of Williams for now having loads of money after signing something. I presume he's then been offered upgraded terms which is totally deserved.