Out of the two starting packs, I'd take Perry, Roby and Graham over the Wigan front row and Soliola over Tomkins/Hansen.

Not over Joel

We'll find out on Saturday

I dont remember seeing anybody tackle as hard in the Super League as what I have seen from Soliola. The guy is indeed a monster.

He is indeed but all round I would have Joel.

Is Hock still contracted to you?

We have a good pack for next season, granted it is not as strong as yours

The pack looks strong. Hock (depending on his return form) Hansen, Tomkins, Hoffmann, Lockers would get into most SL teams and some NRL teams.
Excellent to have other back up from Mossop, Farrell, Tuson-all looking like great prospects.

Front row isn't as strong IMO, Fielden needs another big season, this season he's been one of the best props in the game. Coley is on the way out and Prescott, O Carroll and Davis don't look like world beaters compared to some other props around the same age. Lima is an unknown at Wigan, but a good signing nonetheless.

It's the halves/hookers/FB which is a issue. They are the most creative roles in any team and we're unsettled.
Firstly is Sam better as a FB or 6? if you play Sam at 6 who's to play FB? Both Roberts and Phelps over two seasons haven't stepped up.
If we play Sam at FB who plays in the halves? Tommy can't organise or kick, but potentially has all the sills to make a great 9. So who partners the unknown quantity of Finch? Currently the favourite is an aging Deacon, who hasn't got the legs despite his excellent organising and kicking game.
Adding to that is McC good enough? despite his tough approach to the game is he creative enough? We all have noticed the difference in our team when Piggy leaves the pitch.

It's an issue.

Can Mellor step up and partner Finch as Deacon 'passes the torch'?

IMO if we continue to play the 'Melbourne way' with split halves we're better with Sam at FB. split halves means the stand off controls one half of the pitch as the scrum half controls the other. Meaning the stand off acts as a first receiver (basically another 7).

Sam is better attacking with depth, running on the arch causing the defense all sorts of options. If we play the 'old school Wigan way' with the SO as a second receiver off the SH then I'd put Sam at 6, but looking at our structure from FB Sam runs from depth (like Billy Slater) linking up causing all sorts of problems using his pace and footwork to cause all sorts of problems.

Considering this Deacon and Finch in the halves with either Mellor or a new signing to replace Deacon as he retires. That leaves us with an option to sign another 9 to replace McM to improve our creative options.

As odd as it may sound I would have loved to have Matty Smith in our team, he has all the skills we need to help add to our team, failing that, Michael Dobson.

I think up front the onus is not all on the props. The pack is the second row forwards as well and we have some of the biggest/best second row forwards in the game - Ryan Hoffman, Joel Tomkins, Harrison Hansen, Lee Mossop, Liam Farrell etc. Lee Mossop/Ryan Hoffman could step up to prop if needed and of course we have Gareth Hock to come back.

I wouldn't write Ben Davies off yet. He was one of the best props in the game for his age group and many pundits have tipped him for international honours in the future. Next season if he was to go to Huddersfield on a years loan it would accelerate his development greatly - as demonstrated when Lee Mossop went there for a short spell.

Paul Prescott could be in for a big season next year. I think he lacks some proper conditioning. He looks a little lightweight for a forward and could do with an excellent pre-season working with Mark Bitcom. Prescott is heading into his peak years as a forward and I think the best is yet to come from him. That Leeds performance was outstanding & had it been Stuart Fielden I think we would be bigging that performance up more. I wouldn't write Prescott off.

Eamon O'carroll just needs to get himself fit. I'm not sure how bright his future is at the club. I've always maintained he has never let us down.



Cameron Phelps I agree with, but that is a ridiculous thing to say about Amos Roberts. Amos Roberts was utterly outstanding when he was at fullback. Miles ahead on the clean breaks, tries, try assists, tackle busts and was a shoe-in for MOS. He's still in the charts for a few things, despite being injured, and even made it into the League Express Dream Team.

Sam Tomkins is brilliant at fullback - I've always maintained that too, but it's more beneficial in the balance of the squad to have him at stand off next season and move Amos Roberts to fullback. I'd sign Paul Deacon on as cover in the halves and move Tommy to 9.

1. Amos Roberts
2. Darrell Goulding
3. Martin Gleeson
4. George Carmont
5. Pat Richards
6. Sam Tomkins
7. Brett Finch

Without doubt that is the best backline in the country.

Puletua is MILES better than Hansen.

edit: just saw TP was on the bench in that line-up, ignore me (as usual!)

I wonder if Phelps may be a consideration for the halves - been playing there in u20s. So far nothing has been sadi as to if he is staying or not.

Pack wise Wigan do look very good for next season - I suspect Coley will go better (he was very good earlier in the season but seems to have faded a little recently) with Lima being able to offer more minutes than Feka, plus Prescott and O'Carroll it may be that Coley will have less minutes to do. I wonder how Hock will go - is it likely he will come back as Prop or 2nd row - where there are already a lot of players in contention. Interesting times.

When is Roberts out of contract? (and not soon enough is not a good answer)

Certain guys will improve and mature enough to demand a place in the starting 13 - my 2 for next season are Charnley and Farrell.

end of 2012 season

I'd expect Charnley to be groomed to take over from Carmont at the end of next year.

Wigan have a world cup winning hooker , who in my opinion will do a fantastic job at 9 . give Tommy that number 9 jersey and he will not let you down .

Great