He doesn't need to worry too much about his offloads, he just needs to pick them better. Realise when to pop the ball up, and not think he has to on every carry. He's a good offloader at times, just needs to cut out the silly ones.

I'm looking forward to see Gareth back - a world class player on his day and worthy of a place in a champion team.

But Gareth's upcoming return only adds to the likelihood that sometime over the next year or two, Wigan may have to make a very hard decision to release one or maybe more young, quality Wiganers upon which they will receive an inevitable backlash from some fans both within and outside of the club.

If we're to say for arguement's sake Sean O'Loughlin is a dead cert for the 13 spot, you're then looking at an absolute maximum of 4 remaining places in the side for backrowers. There is also an absolute maximum of 4 prop places available in a side of 17.

If Hock comes back as a 2nd rower, 7 into 4 just doesn't go. If Hock comes back at prop, 7 into 4 just doesn't go. When all of those 7 are players who have the potential to go very far in the game, you not only can't blame them for looking elsewhere for an opportunity for more action but you would have to encourage it for their sake.

The important thing to remember though when the inevitable decision or decisions are made is that this time around they have not come about as a result of mass overseas recruitment but the reality that the terrific work being done by the Wigan youth system is actually producing more quality players than Wigan can accommodate.

Before certain people launch into their predictable rant which seems to be a conditioned response when something like this happens, maybe they should recognise that if every SL club were able to produce the same amount of output from their youth development systems then Super League, England and the game as a whole would be in a far healthier state.

Good post, 7 into 4 may not go, but to have such an embarrassment of riches is only a great thing, it's good to have that problem. Personally i'd go with Tomkins/Hoffman/Hock/Farrell or Hansen as the 4 2nd rowers, nobody can put 4 second rowers of that class forward in this league, With Hansen or Farrell/Tuson/Mossop waiting who are all capable of starting and being fantastic in that position against any team in the league.

I'd say that Mossop and Tuson will be out on loan next season, but i'm not really sure where we could accommodate then when they would return.

Just means more ex Wigan players for Huddersfield to fill their team with

Cant see the BIG one being wire as its our turn to go there during the summer months if the last few years are to go off, i hink we will play wire at our place in march and ofcourse saints will be good friday in april

That is an excellent quote.

Bit of a daft question: If he turns out to be a flop (unlikely but as a wire fan i will hold onto it) would you change that signature?

I usually see quotes from commentators or legends at a club. Not people who haven't yet played a match. Given, it is an excellent quote though.

Pretty sure that whilst serving a drugs ban he's not meant to have any contact with the club etc.

An initial embarrassment of riches is always better than a dearth of talent. As some have already said, Gaz may be more of a prop, particularly in 2012/13 - in which case as Coley retires and then possibly Fielden, there'll be vacancies which Davies and Gaz could fill. Hoffmann may only stay one year, I doubt he'll stay more than two, so Faz and Tuson ( 2 years older and bigger) may then be ready to assume leading roles in the back row with Gaz helping out as well.

All looking good with so many options ( how much better than 4/5 years ago where we had Wilkes, James and Botham - no disrespect to each individually, but collectively not a patch on our current pack).

To response to the above leeds-bradford is an airport FACT and WIGAN V saints is a clash of rivals who dont like each other

I know i understood it. It was funny. I think Hoffman said it, yeah?

I was just saying i don't think i have seen some one sig a quote of a player who hasn't played a minute of footie for the club.

hock will be a valuable player for wigan when he returns if he has looked after himself correctly during his enforced lay-off
i've alway rated him as a very tough,rugged type of player,he always played the game as close to what was permissably allowed within our sport defensive wise
he will be targetted by opposition fans when he returns,and quite right too imo,but he'll have to be man enough to take it on the chin,as i'm sure he will
i can't wait to read jjb's article as i'll bet jamies had a sly dig!

He's definately been keeping himself fit, saw him in Beech Hill park the other week, he looks to have bulked up and his upper body strength was clearly demonstrated when with one hand he scooped up his little Pug and tucked it under his arm. Remoinded of............. Paris Hilton.

Too may haircuts at Vamp methinks.

FFS Gaz getthisen a mons dog wilt, one that growls and barks n shakes when it s

If Hock does return and improves under MM to the same degree all the other players have then we could have one of the best players in the League in the team.
As for who he would threaten for a place.
Not sure, O'Carroll has to have a big season or else it could be goodbye.
Hoffman could depart after one year.
Injuries are always with us and an unexpected long term absence could see someone missing out and Gaz taking their place.
Fielden and Coley have two years and one respectively and will see them out plus maybe one more year for both.
I can see Gaz Hock, Lima, Prescott being our front line props for many years to come. After that there are plenty talented lads in the youth set up that will be ready for first team action over the next few years.
Wherever you look things are looking good for the future player wise.

This is why there's a salary cap. Rather than one team horde all the talent, young players get a chance to move on a play week in, week out.

Crikey. That's a meeting of minds

Yes it does, in both cases. In fact it's precisely what's needed to structure a squad of 30+.

We've needed to use 8 different props this year, and the same in the second row. There's no reason to suppose next year will be any different.