I don't mean to be cynical, but have there been any threads on here at any stage over the years protesting at Goulding being left out of the team? Madge basically benched him in his second year and I don't recall anyone taking him up on it, and I can't recall anyone arguing about his being dropped earlier this year. His stock may have risen because he wasn't playing last friday of course. Any Wigan fan who turns their back on the club because Goulding has left must be a close relative of his.

Nice bit of revisionist history going on there. You are going on about Madge, Goulding scored 25 tries one of the seasons and won a Grand Final. The 2nd season Josh came on the scene and Goulding was injured for a good part of it anyway. He would have been 21,22 when Madge was here, show me an established centre at that sort of age at a top club. Josh has been dropped countless times over the years, including a couple this season and it doesnt change the fact he is a class winger.

He missed on Friday because he was injured, with the same knee injury that he has had since the start of the season and what has caused him to miss numerous game this season. Phil Wilkinson has mentioned about it enough times and said that is why he was on the bench the couple of games that he was, because they had run out of bodies and he was the most fit. You do also realise he told the club almost 2 months ago that he was leaving and has never been dropped by Wane until then.

Goulding is a very underrated player who has given great service to Wigan and I wish him all the best. I cant believe that Wigan have lost the best centre at the club and if we dont sign a replacement we are struggling next season. This is Hansen mk2 and the club cannot afford to keep losing its experienced players.

I think Gouldinghe has gallen foul of the way we want to play due to his lack of athleticism or pace. He is average in most physical department, he doesn't have one trait that sets him apart.

I always saw this season as a transitional one, I will be worried if we are not bringing players in but that is not something we can assess right now.

If we are to improve as a team we have to improve individually. I don't feel Goulding has any improvement in him.

I can't understand the pessimism so long before our 2015 squad is anywhere near finalised.

Tis the way of things...

This, plus if anyone wants to complain about us losing quality players all I can say is we have lost, and probably will lose this season, way better than Goulding . Good luck to the lad but the fact that he has joined HKR is testament in itself IMO.

Watkins at Leeds

Wardle at Hudds

Cudjoe at Hudds

Turner @ Saints

Is Sutton leaving?

Rumour on the other board that Sutton has signed for a Sydney club.

A real shame if true but we'll hopefully get a clause to get him back at some point.

Shame to see him go (if there is truth in the rumour). Been really impressed with his appearances thus far. Tackled well, made good metres and hasn't been dominated by older, more experienced props.

Not heard this Sutton one but if the confirmed departures of Green and Goulding are added to the rumoured/expected ones of Taylor, James, Sutton, Dudson and possibly Bowen then it's hardly an exodus like what we have seen in previous years. Green and Bowen were expected to leave at the end of this season (I think Bowen will do another year FWIW) and out of the others Taylor is the only one guaranteed to make our strongest 17 every week, and if rumours are to be believed it's him who wants the move.

Obviously the loss of 4 forwards would mean we would need to recruit probably another 1 or 2 alongside Tautai and Tomkins, but it's early days as far as our recruitment goes so I'll reserve judgement until we know exactly who else is leaving and coming in. All the club have said so far is they aren't looking elsewhere to replace Green and Goulding (not something I massively agree with, particularly the latter).

Must admit read all the rumours but didnt see it coming off to be honest. Read your posts and obviously you pies still rate the guy. Big well done to rovers to get him, our big gain your loss. From what ive seen of wigan this season i would,nt worry to much about your next mass player exodus...exiting times ahead. Dont think my other rovers fan,s cheeky rumour about Travis Burns will happen...would,nt fit in. Too old