I hope you're not trying to say I'm a Shaun Ainscough hater, I have a reputation for being his biggest fan! Doesn't change the fact that they don't look too keen on giving him a go. Goulding and Pryce are both ahead of him at the moment. You're right in that Phelps will probably go at the end of the year, that leaves one shirt free for either a full back or a winger (with Roberts playing FB), I think it'll be a winger, Darrell Goulding.

You're ignoring Darrell Goulding completely there, he's surely the best bet for the 2 shirt next year.

Completely forgot about him!

If Phelps goes then I expect to see Goulding have the No2 shirt with Roberts at FB. Its a shame that Phelps takes up a quota spot because if he didn't he would be ideal squad player to have. I dont think he will be leaving because he's not needed, just entirely down to the quota.

Personally I would go with Roberts at fullback (it could be Sam if we sign Brown) and leave Goulding and Pat on the wings.
Charnley and Ainscough would battle it out for the "reserve "wing spot. That leaves Pryce.

He could really throw a spanner in the works (and I hope he does) of he carries on his improvement, as he could put pressure on the centre and wing positions, as could Goulding. I suppose it will all depend on what happens to Carmont and Phelps.

And I've not even included Marsh (or indeed Thornley).

I have a feeling Ainscough will "move on".

Not directed at you personally Grimmy, but for the last few weeks I've been reading post after post slagging off the lad. He's not the complete winger but considering how desperate IL and a lot of the members of this site are to see a WIGAN team in every sense of the word, and given the talent the lad has he still has the potential at 20 years old to become a regular in our side.

I can see parallels with Kevin Penny at Warrington, a very talented lad who displayed early potential and then had the weight of expectation piled upon his shoulders, only to faulter and be villified by many of the Wire fans. It's getting to the point of , were young players aren't given the time to adapt and develop!

I appreciate everything that is being said regarding the current teams contracts and I agree with Cov Warrior that ideally Pat would stay for life; but there is every chance that with the class he displays week in, week out that he will return to Oz (were I believe his extended family still live?) at some point?

One more thing - Rogue's I mean no disrespect - How do you know that payments weren't involved in him being dropped? I was told by a source (who I have no reason to doubt) that it was down to a clause in his contract that would have made it difficult for us to stay under the cap after signing Gleeson.

Best case scenario, if the near future is looking bleak get him loaned out to our supposed NRL link team (if they ever appear) then get him played in their reserves (I realise that with the Storm's problems they're unlikely to want to pursue a link with us). Otherwise get him sent to one of the other top 8 teams on loan like Stains did with Moore for a year or two!

It came straight from ILs mouth either at the shareholders meeting or a fans forum.

And whilst IL has been an excellent chairman thus far, I wouldn't believe everything that you're told.
Heaven knows, there are plenty of Liverpool FC fans who believed their owners when they stated that their new stadium would begin building six weeks after they bought the club, 3 years ago.

From what I have been told there were issues regarding salary cap. My source has been pretty accurate in the past.

Agree fully Rogues, Maguire hasnt stopped complementing Charnley and is highly spoken for everywere i go. I hope he gets a game this season, show them what he's got. Speed, agility, strength.. extreamly low body fat for those who enjoy that fact and much more.
Iv watched him throughout the past 2 seasons and he just gets better, great asset for the Wigan team.
Tell me if you disagree?

He's not ready for SL yet, IMO.

Played with Josh Charnley at pats 18s, brilliant lad and great player. Hope he gets his go. Don't think Neil Holland will make it, been around under 20s for ages n never got a first team debut. Nothing I've seen to make me think hes got the ability.

Well he or she is way out on this.

Think logically.
Why would Wigan not want a player to play if he would success?

Roberts and Richards were/are much better and more experienced players.

As I've said many times Ainscough is a decent winger but still has a lot to do to earn a first team spot. If you saw last nights game you would understand why.
He is falling behind in the pecking order. You must question why Maguire is not giving him the opportunity.

That is true, IL came on here and said we had not done anything as daft as that after I said it was stupid to say the club would put itself in that position. There wasn't actually any reason to drop him.

Dave

Have Rogues and DaveO just agreed on something together?!

I agree, he isn't the finished article but I feel that there is more to come from him and I hope he is given the chance. I don't think this is necessarily the end of his Wigan career (there are things going on behind the scenes) maybe he will be a victim of our abundance of riches but if he was I for one would be disappointed.

My original point was that even though we are enjoying a very successful season on the pitch so far, there are still too many fans who want to find something to moan about and targeting our younger players is a farce, why some can't focus on the positives and just get on with it is beyond me!