Rumours and signings 2010 v4

Quote: Geoff "Yes.

Excellent news. Our backline for next season looks excellent. The only aspect we've been critical of this season as supporters is our kicking game and sometimes lack of killer instinct & so Brett Finch has an important role to play in amending that area. I also think in certain games this season we've missed Amos Roberts. His offload to set Sam Tomkins off against Hull KR is just one example.

Amos Roberts
Darrell Goulding, Martin Gleeson, George Carmont, Pat Richards
Sam Tomkins, Brett Finch

Not many backlines are going to top that in Super League.

The forward pack has been missing two experienced players. Too much pressure has been put on Andy Coley and Stuart Fielden with Feka Paleaasina taking a few months to get up to match fitness. Having a third experienced professional in Jeff Lima just takes a bit of the weight from Fielden and Coley. Paul Prescott and Eamon O'carroll have been adequate this season, but neither look like making it as a top prop forward. I have more faith in O'carroll than I do Prescott. Ben Davies looks a little out of his depth in the few games he has played, but has been excellent at Widnes. The experience will have done him good, but he's still another year off at least.

In the second row we've seen Joel Tomkins establish himself as a senior leader, which is important given the departure of Phil Bailey. However he still only 23, Harrison Hansen is 24, Lee Mossop is 21 with Liam Farrell/Chris Tuson both only being 20. That next season would have been a very young pack. So the addition of Ryan Hoffman just brings a bit of leadership & direction to help out some of the young lads. He will have been brought over here to fill in the spot vacated by Bailey and hopefully bring along the young back rowers we have here at the club. By the end of his expected departure these lads will be two years older, which is a massive difference IMO.

The only area that I could see potential problems for us is at hooker. I rate both McIlorum and Leuluai. However, McIlorum has been crippled with injuries throughout his Wigan career, which has stalled his development. When he gets a run of games together he looks fantastic and produces some excellent displays that remind us why we brought him over from Yorkshire. Hopefully he can keep himself fit for the season. Thomas Leuluai I rate at hooker. He has shown better form at halfback this season, but still lacks a long kicking game. I don't think he is capable of starting matches and directing our forwards around in the early exchanges, but from the bench I think his footwork and pace could cause teams problems. I just wonder how long it will take him to adapt to the role full time. It's a specialist role after all. His defence is excellent, but I just hope he learns to add some direction and organisation to the team that Mark Riddell brings. In terms of cover if either get injured I think we are in a lot of trouble.

Fielden McIlorum Coley
Hoffman Tomkins
O'loughlin

Jeff Lima
Thomas Leuluai
Harrison Hansen
Paul Prescott/Lee Mossop

After all is said and done, it is still an excellent team we have next season & one that is much better than the one we've seen this season, which is scary when you think we've been the best team after 27 rounds and wrapped the league up a week early!