I agree with everything you say there, a rarity! I wonder whether Rocky will gain a new perspective following his time at Cas and return happy to play full back? He's not looked too bad there at Cas IMO, he would add pace to the side and he's a pretty good goal kicker. Having Sam Tomkins in the halves would mean that they can swap mid game if Rocky is struggling under the high ball or we just need to shake things up a bit. Winger-wise I hope we are looking to the NRL, let's get a real athlete with a bit of size.

Other than that I'd like to see us sign a utility back to cover for injuries, someone from one of the lower clubs with a fair bit of SL experience a la Sarginson when he signed. I don't think Higginson is ready to be first reserve centre, and pulling Bateman out of the pack weakens us significantly. Not convinced Tierney provides good cover on the wing either.

I think Tierney is a very good reader of the game and has better positional play than Sarge, he's also a better tackler. I'm happy with him as a squad player but not as first choice. He won't let you down defensively. He does have decent pace too.

I'd be happy with Hampshire at full back, but he is suspect under the high ball though he has improved.

I agree about getting in a decent winger from the NRL. I'm not too keen on Solomona who is the latest rumour. And I didn't fancy Carney whose game is riddled with errors.

So it's been announced by Wigan that Sam will play some part in this Friday's game.
It's been mentioned that he's been training in the halves but I can't see him starting the game.
Long term I would hope that he can play at 6 with William's at 7 but as he's not played there for probably 6 years I think it will take more than a couple of training sessions to get him up to speed.

Agreed!
Although I think he is THAT good that he can hopefully just slot straight in.

I think it's pretty much nailed on that he will start off the bench against Hull and go to 6, with Williams going to 9 and Powell getting a long overdue rest.

Keep Sam as a FB. a dynamic player in todays game thrives off more of a free role. Your 6/7 are 'feeders' who bring others into the game, Sam is better suited to linking up in the 3/4 line pivot, that's where he is most deadly. Our attack will improve in leaps and bounds when he's back at 1.

I'm of the opinion that we need our best players on the pitch and 1. Sarginson 6. Sam 7. Williams is more appealing than having Smith in the mix.

I've been one of Smiths biggest critics this year but I do think we'll see a different player when he's got Tomkins, Williams and Lockers alongside him. He's certainly not good enough to be a man who can run a game on his own and grip games by the nuts but with those guys around him it should allow him to play his natural game. That game is limited but his role can still be an important one in our set up. We need him to find some confidence and for his kicking and passing accuracy to improve because both have been off.

In the short term Tomkins will probably play off the bench but in the longer term I still think we'll see him back at fullback. I'd use Sarginson as a utility from the bench and give him some minutes at 9 to spell Powell. I think he'd go pretty well in there taking on the line.

Isn't the major criticism of Sarginson that he never passes? He's not exactly the best tackler in the world either. I don't think sticking him at hooker is the way forward

I think that's a fair assessment of Matty. I have supported him because I think when the chips are down he is a decent big game player who you can rely on.

I think that to play hooker you need a good tackler. Powell has excelled in this role because he will tackle anything, a bit like Williams does. For that reason I think you are more likely to see George at hooker if Powell needs a spell. Sarge can play at 6 if you want Sam at 1.

Personally I would prefer Sam at 6. He won't have the searing pace that he used to have, I think we could see that towards the end of 2013. His other skills will be to the fore. He is the best passer of a ball in the club along with Lockers. His kicking will come on a bomb now that he hasn't got Johnson hogging every play and his step in either direction will creates tons of chances for himself and others. Plus his only real weakness is catching the high ball which won't come into it.

I'm indifferent about Smith, I fully understand the issues people have with his performances this season, but also expect to see a better player once the other pieces are added to the puzzle.

I see Smith's strengths as his passing and more importantly his kicking game, I'd compare him more to Adam Reynolds at Souths, someone who can control field position with his kicking putting us on the front foot which often relates to tries.

With a running 6 (Williams) playing off him, a second pivot in Sam linking to the backline and a strong pack in front of him I expect to see him shine. Adding Williams and Sam will add the pace and dynamic edge the teams needs and is currently lacking.

Sarg is a decent full back, but his decision making linking in the backline is way off the standard of Sam, Sam will bring out the best of the backline from the FB position.

When Sam returns to the starting side this season he will predominantly be at 1, although he may make his come back in the halves off the bench depending on how that game is going (a sensible option IMO to get Sam into positions and to get a hold of the ball and a feel for the game)
I have been told by Shaun that he wants Sam to have a free role in attack from Full Back and that he see's big gains when both Manfredi and Charnley receive the ball from kicks with the option of Sam running out of the back with them

That is some back three and with plenty of strike options IMO

Great to see Tomkins back. Not sure whether its just me but everything about our club seems to be dull, boring, lacking passion and enthusiasm albeit still being so close to the top of the table. Hopefully the return of Tomkins and a big win against Hull on Friday will inject a bit of excitement into our season and we can kick on from there.

I think Sam's long term future is at 6 but for the next season or 2 he will stay at full back. We need to be careful not to expect too much too soon on his return, the best case scenario is 3 or 4 weeks before he is back to his best, worst case is he never gets back to his best.

As I said.

Bums on seats.

With the way we are playing, I'll be disappointed if it is a big Wigan win.