If you look at our team from 2010 to now, all I can see is experience / big earners being lost and inexperience taking over from academy on what would I would think less money.

There is a post on the St Helens forum about Wigan and January sales! I know we won trophies in that time but if we are spending more or less the full cap there are some players who are well over paid! We seem to be turning into Arsenal who are recruiting low end or players we think are projects we can improve. If we was getting are own stadium like they did I like most probably wouldnt mind but it doesnt look like we are.

What doesnt bear thinking about is our entire back line almost could change at the end of the year. We face the prospect of losing our full back, rumoured to be going back to aus at the end of the season, burgess confirmed as going, Charnley rumoured to be not happy at the terms offered, sarginson rumoured to be off to the NRL and gelling who is also off contract. That doesnt bear thinking about.

Half of the 2010 team aren't playing anymore so we couldn't do much about losing them. There are a couple of players in there I'd love to still see with us (Tomkins and Hansen) but it's not to be.

The squad has lost high earner over the years but we carry a big squad with plenty of depth and that costs money. We have a squad full of developing players as you point out, but in having that you know their salaries will need to go up as they make those improvements. The club seems to leave money in the pot to cover that. If you look at the situation of Dan Sarginson, we signed him as a 'project' from Quins and he's improved out of sight. The club are in talks with him to extend his deal now and I presume the guy will be asking for a hefty pay increase (and rightfully so). That has to come from somewhere!

Lenagan and Wane have admitted there's some money in the pot still if a new signing becomes available so we're in pretty good shape all things considered.

I didnt mean i wanted to keep the players that was in the squad in 2010, its the experience and big names that havent been replaced since 2010.

Tomkins
Leuleui
Deacon
Coley
Feka
Riddell
Hansen
Finch
Carmont
Gleason

Plus many more

Thats my scapegoat for the season sorted...

I think you're going to look extremely foolish further down the line if you look back at that. Within three years I honestly expect him to have England caps, a nailed down starting spot at Wigan (if we can keep him) and debates over whether he's better than Sam Tomkins. Like you say no one has a crystal ball but I really do expect big things based on the games I've seen him play

I'm a saints fan and don't watch Wigan as much as you but Hampshire was all over the place in the friendly last week. Tbf he wasn't alone.

But the point above is an interesting one. The person that said Hampshire is overrated might be correct and from what I've read on here (I've seen a comparison to Murphy, or some sort of comparison anyway) I would say he probably is overrated and he is under a lot of pressure.

I don't think the poster above was saying he isn't a talent btw...It does amuse me how defensive people get over how well they can judge potential. It's a nonsense really. I am guilty of this too. I remember seeing wheeler come through at saints and thinking he is going to be outstanding and a future England player, but things can easily change.

Wishful thinking maybe. Time will tell, but I'd advise you not to mark someone down on the basis of a pre-season friendly.

With all due respect, comparing Hampshire to Sam Tomkins, rather makes YOU look foolish.

You are heaping unnecessary pressure on a young player who is trying to make his way in the game.

By the way saying he will have England caps isn't really that big a deal is it? We currently have the English Scrum Half playing for us, good player, good pro and good bloke but limited in what he offers. There are many ordinary players who have turned out regularly for Wigan as well.

I'll reiterate, I think Hampshire has talent, but he is overrated. I'm afraid it is wishful thinking, that to be fair, we all indulge in from time to time.You might as well say Sutton will be the next Jamie Peacock, Williams the next Sean Edwards and Gildart the next Dean Bell, all of which may turn out to be true, though rather unlikely, I'd say.

Mine is George Williams with Gelling as backup.

Gelling will be gutted, he has gone from being an unchallenged scapegoat of the last 3 years to being just a reserve.!!!!!!!

Very good!

I haven't marked him down on the basis of a pre season friendly. I can only judge a player by watching them, not on the hype that everyone else builds for them.

When a player is 'promising' then generally fans get excited: understandably. This in itself piles the pressure on and their currently ability is overrated and there is no limit to what they expect from their 'potential'.

As I said above: we are all guilty of this.

I'll go for tomato or whatever his name is