They have signed Nate Myles to according to a chap on facebook.

Yep, me too.

Cracking prospect.

TRUE FACT OF THE DAY

Stefan Ratchford was Wigan's mascot for the last ever game at Central Park

Someone ought to send him the video of that game and remind him of his first love.

Finch and Ratchford would be a very effective halfback pairing.

Love a team for next season of

Gordon
Briscoe Ratchford Carmont Richards
Tomkins Finch
Prescott Tommy Fielden
Hock Tomkins
Lockers
----------
Tomkins Lima Faz Mossop

Regardless that Briscoe is still contracted to Hull.

At the current moment, I doubt you could say Finch & Anybody would be a good halfback pairing.

Form temporary. Class permanent.

He''ll come good. Just a matter of time.

It would be beneficial to Wigan, Tom Briscoe and England RL if he got out of the mess that is Hull FC and signed for Wigan. Fantastic young player whose progress/development will only stagnate at Hull FC. Wasted at a club like that - absolutely wasted.

I know were all looking at who's available to sign, both here in SL and the NRL. But it is important that we don't block the pathway for the likes of Mellor, Powell, King and Crosby as well as all the other lads I haven't mentioned. Many of these young lads as Madge has previously stated are already pushing for a first team spot at present.

I love seeing international stars such as he likes of Hoffman and Leuluai pulling on a Wigan shirt as much as the next man. But my greatest pleasure comes from seeing the likes of Charnley and the Tomkins brothers and all the other lads we've brought through our system going on to play in the first team.

I know were not exactly sure who will stay and who will go at the end of this season. But regardless of the numbers I really doubt we'll sign more than two players. Personally I think we could get away with just signing a top class centre for 2012.

2 players should be our limit imo.

I'd like to see us retain older heads like Deacon and Coley and if Carmont does leave then replace him and then sign a utility like Ratchford to cover a few spots in the team.

IMO.

Deacs to retire and move to the coaching staff. Finch will provide the experience, kicking game and cool headedness that Paul currently does. Brett just need time to bed in.

Coley for me can stay or go it's up to him. If he stays great, if he doesn't then we'd have more than adequate cover with Hock at prop.

Carmont I'd love to stay. But if he doesn't then Charley and a centre such as Cooper would do us grand.

Were still in strong position were all three to go (Which I have feeling will be the case). Cooper and Ratchford would be choice as who to sign.

For me George Carmont, Paul Deacon and Andy Coley will all retire. Martin Gleeson has left and Ryan Hoffman will almost certainly leave for the NRL. Some disagree, but for argument's sake let's say they all leave. That leaves us with an absence of some top quality experienced players for next season and we've a young enough squad as it is.

Ryan Hoffman and Andy Coley leave and there is some serious weight gone from the pack. Adding Gareth Hock will be a bonus, but we can't place all our eggs in one basket. He's a bit of a wild card Hock. We don't know whether he will be outstanding or find it difficult to adapt to the new culture at Wigan or whether he will play prop or second row. If both Coley/Hoffman leaves than Joel Tomkins must move to the back row. He can't stay at centre. A back row combination of Harrison Hansen, Liam Farrell, Chris Tuson and Jonny Walker is not big enough, experienced enough, good enough etc. Against bigger packs they'd get crushed. I'd sign an experienced head to replace Andy Coley. I've mentioned Ray Cashmere. Huge lad, experienced, captained Salford, played in Super League before and has been successful, in the top stats for metres made, well-disciplined and already lives in the North West. For a couple of years he'd be excellent. It would leave us with Ray Cashmere, Jeff Lima, Paul Prescott, Stuart Fielden, Lee Mossop and Gareth Hock. Six doesn't go into four, but Lee Mossop and Gareth Hock can both play in the second row. Plus competition for places and depth is needed in a championship winning side. In the back row we'd have Joel Tomkins, Harrison Hansen, Liam Farrell and Chris Tuson with as previously mentioned Gareth Hock or Lee Mossop able to slot into the second row when required. We could even push Joel Tomkins to the centres too.

When Paul Deacon retires he needs replacing. He's been a tremendous signing and has played an absolutely pivotal role in us winning the championship last year. I think he's an important cog in the Wigan team. His importance is considerably down played IMO. Thomas Leuluai has got to move to hooker. Sam Tomkins will most likely move to fullback. That leaves us with just Brett Finch as an experienced halfback. Sam Powell has never played a SL game and is a few years off and Joe Mellor has played twice (I think) for Harlequins. The only way this could change is if Sam Tomkins moves to halfback. If this is the case, then if Amos Roberts is not firing, we'll need to recruit a fullback. Personally Stefan Ratchford would solve a lot of these problems. His ability to play across the entire backline, an excellent kicking game, very talented, British and a Wigan lad to boot - he would be a prudent signing IMO. Warrington and Rugby Union are after him. Get him snapped up. I suspect he'd jump at the chance to sign for Wigan.

To lose out on George Carmont and Martin Gleeson is a serious bit of talent. Two of the best centres in the league. I feel with the salary cap and the quota we have to back one of our own to take one of the centre spots. Whether that be Darrell Goulding, Stefan Marsh, Josh Charnley or Karl Pryce. The most promising option for me is Josh Charnley.

The other centre spot has to go to a top class experienced player. Whether this is an Australian, Kiwi (or if there are any) British it doesn't matter. That's one of Ian Lenagan's big challenges this season and should be at the forefront of our recruitment drive. All the best players are snapped up quickly.

I've discussed the coaching job on another thread. Shaun Wane and Adrian Lam are my pick.

The rest is a lot more straight forward. Pat Richards looks to be doing fine and we should sign him up. Ben Davies, Stefan Marsh, Paul Prescott and Mike McIlorum should be signed up. Eamon O'carroll will most likely leave. Karl Pryce is in a make or break season.

I disagree with some views on here. I think this will be one of the most difficult years in terms of recruitment for Ian Lenagan. Due to unexpected occurrences like Martin Gleeson and Mike Maguire leaving we have a job on our hands, which can happen in sport.

Interesting post. And lots I agree with.
However I am one of the few who doesn't rate McM as a 9, doesn't get us moving around the park despite being a top tackler, I also don't rate Davies or O'Carroll, neither have what it takes to be great props for Wigan.

I am as stated, someone who always looks at UK talent rather than goes aboard, I think players from or proven to be based in our country stay around longer and give their best years to an English team.

Players I'd be interested in are Ratchford, Leon Pryce, Briscoe. 3 UK players who would really help us out in the backs, two of which are off contract this season. Ratchford and Pryce are both good players who can play anywhere in the backline, something we need.
Additionally I think we do need to visit Aus for a centre, there are more higher quality centres in Aus, I think there's little choice over here.

For forwards I would like to see another prop come in. This time someone with a bit of biff to harden up the pack, stop of getting run over against Wire/Hudds. After being a proven SL talent who has not run back to Aus I'd like Mark O'Melley.

A team of
Tomkins
Briscoe/Charnley Ratchford Aus centre Richards
Pryce Finch
O Melley Tommy Fielden
Hock Tomkins
Lockers
--------------
Lima Faz Prescott/Mossop/Logan

Looks good to me.

Must admit, I do like Leon Pryce. He'd be a good addition, plus a stellar strike centre from aus/nz and a prop for 2012.