Poor old PHIPPS believes in his own publicity.
South were not the first offer he had!
Most of RL knows this so why doesn't PHIPPS?

I know a few of us fans are worried about Wigan possibly losing a lot of experienced players next year. Personally I'd let Deacon retire, as once Finch has fully settled in he'll provide us with the things Deacon currently does. I'd love to keep Carmont, particularly seeing as we've lost Gleeson at least a year earlier than we should have. Coley although he's been a great player I'd let him retire. We'd still have experience in the frontrow provided by Fielden and Lima, plus Prescott can hardly be called inexperienced. Again I'd love us to keep Hoffman but we'll have to wait and see on that one.

I really don't see us signing many for next year, possibly 1 or a maximum of two.

Frontrow
Fielden
Lima
Prescott
Mossop
Hock
Crosby
Davies

Backrow
Lockers
Joel? Possibly in the centres next year?
Hoffman?
Farrel
Hansen
Tuson

Halves and Hookers
Sam? Could still be at FB next year.
Finch
Leuluai
McIlorum
Mellor
Powell

Threequarters
Pat
Goulding
Roberts
Marsh
Charnley
Pryce?
King
Russell

Looking at the above the only signing I'd make would be a centre. That would allow Joel to remain the backrow. Because to potentially lose Hoffman from the secondrow and Joel to the centre's leaves us light in that position for mine. As for everywhere else we've plenty of options open to us. Particularly when we want to start integrating some of the youngsters knocking on the door of the first team. Such as the likes of King, Crosby and Mellor.

Ryan Hoffman will leave. We accepted this when we signed him. We have to be realistic and accept he will leave. If Joel moves to the centres and Hoffman leaves it does put us light in the back row. Lockers will play at loose forward leaving just Harrison Hansen, Liam Farrell and Chris Tuson. Very short of numbers and very inexperienced. Against bigger, more experienced packs they'll get crushed - i.e Warrington. Of course Hock coming back does add some more weight to the pack, but I wouldn't want to put all my eggs in one basket - especially with Gareth Hock.

At halfback and hookers we are short depending on how we lineup. If Sam plays at fullback then it leaves us short. Mike McIlorum is not effective enough as an 80 minute hooker. I think he will be spelled with Thomas Leuluai. This just leaves Brett Finch. Joe Mellor and Sam Powell have only played a handful of Super League games between them. Too inexperienced. We could really do with Amos Roberts firing at fullback so Sam can revert back to halfback with Brett Finch.

I agree with your last paragraph. A top draw centre signing would be fantastic. Keep Joel in the back row as we are most likely going to lose Ryan Hoffman. Keep the pack nice and strong. I can't think of any ideal English centre that we can look for. I think we will have to move overseas. Justin Hodges or Matt Cooper springs to mind.

I'm not going to give up all hope in Hoffman staying. After all he did sign a deal with an option for a second year, and he does appear in interviews to be really enjoying his time over here. Were totally in agreement over signing a new centre. If we could get a Hodges or a Cooper to replace Carmont then brilliant, but it would be tough with the NRL's ever increasing salary cap though. Charnley has to get other centre spot for next year for me, he was superb again last night. All that would allow Joel to remain in the backrow, possibly to compensate for the loss of Hoffman( but I hope not).

In regards to the halves. Personally I'd like to see Sam and finch at 6 and 7 with Tommy and McIlorum sharing 9. Leuluai was excellent last night out of dummyhalf. Hopefully Madge noticed that to and will stick him there permanently. As for FB although I think it's unlikely to happen I'd like to see Russell there. Every time I've managed to get to the under 20's he's looked good, very pacy and elusive.

hoffman 3yrs at melbourne.....maybe..just maybe damiel anderson at the helm at the DW next year...

I'd move Joel back to the 2nd row as that'shis best position and one where he could have the world at his feet.

Add to that there are plenty of centre's out there for next season.

Ivan Henjak to coach Wigan next year

Discount Lockyer coming to Wigan then!

Available and has received fair praise from Bennett.

Top quality NRL centre with Charnley given the other.
A scrum half to allow Tommy/Micky to play 9
A back rower to replace Hoffman if he goes

We dont need anymore than that, as long as the structures and staff Madge has put in place remain, we will be okay.

Full back to replace Sam (Sam back to halfback role) hopefully Matt Bowen
Centre to replace Gleeson, Richard Whiting or Kris Welham maybe?
Prop to replace Coley, big Samoan or Tongan??
Hock to replace O'Carroll

I'd take Ratchford over those two centre options.

I'd also try a transfer fee for Chris Bridge as Wire have a good few centres on their books.

Bridge, Atkins, Monaghan, King & the young blonde kid also.

Played reasonably well yesterday Ratchford. Certainly defensively he was good. I'd sign him, he offers good versatility.

whiting,welham,bridge

It's the young blonde kid I would pay the transfer fee for and not Chris Bridge.

Ratchford would offer some depth at halfback and centre. I think he can play fullback too. A realistic target too as he is coming off contract at the end of this season. Yawnion are rumoured to be sniffing around him.

rlhttps://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/mar/07/stefan-ratchford-salfordrl

Quote: cadoo "It's the young blonde kid I would pay the transfer fee for and not Chris Bridge. Ratchford would offer some depth at halfback and centre. I think he can play fullback too. A realistic target too as he is coming off contract at the end of this season. Yawnion are rumoured to be sniffing around him. rlhttps://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/mar/07/stefan-ratchford-salfordrl'" First saw Rhys Evans at Leigh for England Academy versus Australia, scored a cracker: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQgqIXTkKnY (Think I'm okay to put this link on as it's not SKY footage).

Quote: cadoo "It's the young blonde kid I would pay the transfer fee for and not Chris Bridge. Ratchford would offer some depth at halfback and centre. I think he can play fullback too. A realistic target too as he is coming off contract at the end of this season. Yawnion are rumoured to be sniffing around him. rlhttps://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/mar/07/stefan-ratchford-salfordrl'" First saw Rhys Evans at Leigh for England Academy versus Australia, scored a cracker: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQgqIXTkKnY (Think I'm okay to put this link on as it's not SKY footage).