I've never seen a softer, more one-dimensional Wigan team... Personally think we need new ideas and signing Tomkins is just PR and papering over the cracks. If anything, I think Sam moving to NZ has put his own development back a couple of years...

I usually lean towards trusting in the academy but this season I really think we have been shy of a couple of good props, at least one.

At last people with a little sense, not be long before the wane lovers come out with But he won the double haha

De ja vue ala Sam Tomkins he had the talent but could not get a game in the 1st team until Finch got injured and we all know were he went onwards and upwards .Same thing is happening with Hampshire IMO don't think Wayne thinks he is big enough hope to god he does not go elsewhere.

It was Tim Smith that got injured but same principle stands.

The issue Hampshire has that Tomkins didn't is there's an older and bigger option in between the first choice halves in the shape of Sam Powell. That means Hampshire isn't even first back up so he's relying on two injuries/suspensions to get a game in his actual position. The only time he was selected there this year was against Huddersfield in the 2nd week of the season when Williams was injured and Smith suspended and even then it was only 5 minutes before kick off that he got the call.

That proves what he's going to need to get a chance which is pretty laughable.

I know the road i would be going down. It seems very likely that Sarge will be leaving, Thornley has already gone. We NEED a centre. This might come as a crazy shout but i would take Atkins from Wire on a free transfer. I know he has had a shocker this season but so has most of the Wire team. I wouldn't be worried about that. Some different coaching might get him back to his best. A couple of years ago he was right up there with Watkins for me. In the forwards i would drop Lockers in at interchange prop, move Bateman to LF with Burke covering LF, Drop Tautai into his position, back up second row then make one big(ish) signing. For me that would be Rulon Nutira, OOC at the Dragons, 6ft 5" monster, splash the cash and that would see me happy. We have Tierney to cover FB and Wing and the obvious one is to get Hampshire and Williams in the halves and that would deffo do for me.

What an exciting time to be a Wigan supporter.
We have always maintained that our youth system is the best there is and that we produce too many players to fit them all in the first team, well now is the chance to put that right.
The current squad can't be all that bad as we are second in the league and have beaten every other team in the competition and with the addition of Sam Tomkins then it can only strengthen us.
Our forwards next season will be older, wiser and hungrier than this year and will be pushed by academy products coming through.
Lenagan , Radlinski and Wane should be applauded for what they are doing not criticized as most on here are doing.

Thats the biggest urban wigan myth going

Sam played plenty of games during that season. Possibly more that Tim Smith.

Even Tomkins will struggle to open up defences playing behind our current pack. There's just no go forward at all.

Quote: tugglesf78 "Thats the biggest urban wigan myth going Sam played plenty of games during that season. Possibly more that Tim Smith.'" Indeed it is. wigan.rlfans.com/news.php?readmore=3316 Also Sam missed two games because he was selected to travel to France with the full England squad to gain experience of how International teams prepared. In that HKR away game when Tim Smith got injured Sam was on the bench and it was planned for him to come on at fullback during the game.

Quote: tugglesf78 "Thats the biggest urban wigan myth going Sam played plenty of games during that season. Possibly more that Tim Smith.'" Indeed it is. wigan.rlfans.com/news.php?readmore=3316 Also Sam missed two games because he was selected to travel to France with the full England squad to gain experience of how International teams prepared. In that HKR away game when Tim Smith got injured Sam was on the bench and it was planned for him to come on at fullback during the game.

We should be looking to the Championship for a prop. Hill and Walmsley have turned into World Class front rowers. About time we uncovered our own.

Hopkins

It's easy for people to say we need to get rid of x,y,z forward. Unfortunately they are under contract so we can only get rid if other teams and the player themselves want it to happen, and even then they will hold all the bargaining cards. Until that happens it looks like we have little space to make things happen in the prop department where we need more grunt.

I'm not anti Wane except on the issue of Hampshire.
The blame is with IL and KR.

Sarginson did a Q & A with @skysportsrl on Twitter last week and said he is staying at Wigan next year as they have taken the option in his contract.