Who would you suggest other than the ones we know are going?

Does anyone look ready to step up from the U19s? I see that Saints have picked up a useful U19 from Bradford who they are raving about. A couple of very young lads got a good write up from the reserves game and may be worth some game time next year but some of the older U19s who have been out on loan/dr could still be in contention.

If it was as easy as just waving a wand and releasing players I'd let go Nuuausala and Tierney as well as moving Leuluai on to the coaching staff but if that's possible I'm not sure. The chances are Navarette will be off as well and there's probably potential to allow one or two out on loan (its going to be tough keeping four good wingers happy for starters).

I'd be looking at putting Tomkins to 7 and having him and Williams get to work on their long kicking game, all pre season to work on it and both have got the potential to do so, Escare at full back is a must and we need to fit Sam in so at scrum half would work imo, it's the right centre position we need to be looking at imo, Gelling deserves another chance next season but we need another back up, someone like Welham would be good. Props wise we need to be offloading Nuuausala, not been good enough end certainly not good enough to justify his wage. Not sure who's avail either but there would be some good cheap props I imagine. Imo next season should be

1.Escare
2.Manfredi
3.Gellling
4.Gildart
5.Burgess
6.Williams
7.Tomkins
8.Sutton
9.Macca
10.Flower
11.Bateman
12.Farrell
13.O'Loughlin

14.Tautai
15.Clubb
16.New Prop
17.Ganson/Powell
15

I worry for Shorrocks who has missed two of the last three seasons with injury. A few youngsters like Field or Partington may benefit from a full season in loan. We have a big squad at the moment and it is difficult to keep track of them all.

I think lads like Forsyth and Bretherton would benefit from long term loan deals elsewhere to try and develop their games. I wouldn't be surprised to see Marshall go out somewhere as well because you'd assume he'll be fourth choice next year and he's too good to be waiting for weeks at a time to play reserves.

Personally, i would go try to push the following...

Outs...Tierney, Gelling, FPN, Navarette, Leuluai (Retire/Coach), SOL (Retire/Coach), Forsyth (Season long loan), Marshall (Possible Loan), Ganson (Possible Loan).

Ins...Sutcliffe Leeds, 2x props (Busquets Catalans?/Mogg NZ Warriors), A star quality Right Centre?, cover for FB?

Drastic? Absolutely. Am I ready for all the Gelling fans to kick off...sure



1. Escare/ +new FB cover.
2. Manfredi/Davies.
3. new Right centre *STAR SIGNING*
4. Gildart.
5. Burgess/Marshall (if not loaned).
6. Williams.
7. Tomkins.
8. New Prop? *STAR SIGNING*
9. Micky Mc/Powell
10. Flower
11. Bateman
12. Farrell
13. SOL (if not retiring)/Sutcliffe?

14. Tautai
15. Clubb/New Prop?
16. Sutton/Joel T.
17. Powell/Ganson (if not loaned).

+ Shorrocks, Wells and the other younger players on fringe.

Not a lot to ask for two high quality, star signings in the off season.

But that's assuming Burgess and Manfredi will be our settled wing pair? There are doubts about them both for form and injury reasons.

Nearly put that in my post...I wouldn't bank on Manfredi finding pre-injury form instantly and any worries or hesitations he has regards his knee...Burgess looks a little off-colour both performance and form wise.

Could easily be Davies & Marshall as #2 & #5 next year

I don't think Shorrocks's injuries are anything to worry about long term - just bad luck like many we've had the last two years, it's not as if there's a long-term underlying problem (like Mossop's shoulder, for example). He's definitely our future #7. We've a lot of great prospects coming through, in all positions, the problem will be keeping them all and giving them playing time. A real reserves structure is vital, but I'm not confident in the other clubs coming round to the idea, unless the RFL really force (or persuade) them to, somehow.

One lad I would be really excited to see step up is Kibula - he seems to have everything, even at such a relatively young age (just turned 18 last week), a big, fast, ball-playing prop is just what we need.

At one point in the reserves game Kibula packed down at hooker and the props could not get close enough to engage. Back to Shorrocks though he needs a run next year before the next group like Harry Smith or Josh Woods get their crack.

We have a great squad. SW and IL have worked wonders seeing us play in many finals and win many trophies since the partnership began.

However I am actually glad to see the unhappy faces, it's an indication that we never settle and always push to win, a winning fighting mentality is what often sees us through, our high expectations are something to be proud of, as fans and as a great club.

Controversial, however I'd like to see Gelling moved on. I like constant professionalism from all players and level-headed behaviour, he's too much for me. I feel there are better centres around SL if not the world of rugby.

Tommy must go. Never rated him during his first spell as a 7, was hoping time in the NRL would have improved him, sadly not. We need a new 7, not just a 'steady Eddie' who plays our structures, but someone who has a rugby brain, can create, can kick and can dart off the line.

I'd honestly take Dan Sarg back if available. Strong utility back. A starting centre who could easily cover FB along with Escare if Sam is to be moved to 7.
I'd also look at Josh Charnley, as a centre.

I'd take Sarge over Gelling tbh, can cover all spots across ba Kline and isn't as injury prone

Do you not remember Sarginson dropping balls for fun when he was here?

I think Sarginson & Gelling are both as error prone, only benefit with Sarge is he can cover full back if Escare gets crocked...would still leave us short in centres unless Bateman dropped back but it seems that idea is dead and buried...

We need a star player in at #3, someone special and same again at #8...I don't know who is available or who would even want to join Wigan.

Sarginson and Charnley - have people learned nothing over the last few years?

The strategy of signing previous players has been nothing short of a disaster and is one the reasons we have so little wiggle room on the cap. Not one player has come back and been the equal of when they left and most have been considerably poorer. Just imagine how different the squad might be if we hadn't signed the likes of Mossop, Joel and Leuluai?

They can keep them there both Cr@p

The jobs for the boys club that MM Smashed is firmly back in place.

A club with two marque players, when neither are marque.

I've said recently that we need to get away from keep bringing the old guard back at all costs and in regards to Charnley I totally agree because we simply don't need another winger. I feel slightly differently with Sarginson though simply because the squad could really do with a utility back capable of putting pressure on the centres.

Ultimately though we need a prop to (hopefully) replace Nuuausala and a 'proper' scrum half to (hopefully) replace Leuluai before we look at anything else and I can't think of any old boys knocking about at other clubs who realistically we'd go for (thankfully).

I don't think JC will be returning to RL anytime soon.

Whilst I do agree that bringing back the old guard is wearing thin, I also think Sarginson would rubuke the trend and be extremely useful, hes a genuine utility back and does have that star quality.

I echo what NickyKiss said, we need a PROPer Prop with some star quality and a pending Gelling or TL going, a star centre or scrum half that can guide us around...I genuinely think Sandow could do a job?

Sarge had been unlucky with injuries recently and if rumours are true a bit of a "culture problem". I would like to see him succeed in NRL but if he comes back to SL I hope it's not to Wigan, I think we can do much better. His left foot step infuriated me many times.

Would definitely take Sarge back but I suspect he might command too high a wage for a utility back. Gelling doesn't half get a hard time. He is a bit off form but still keeping up a really high workrate. I reckon every top SL club would want him as a starter if we said he was available.

Sandow, no thank you... man’s like a plague. If we were to get a new seven we need someone who’s going to take control and lead us round the pitch allowing George to play what he sees. I’ve heard this guy called Matty Smith is decent at that.

I think the criticism Gelling gets is way OTT. He chews up the yards from our own half, even when he's not in good form. When he's on, he's practically unplayable at times. I wouldn't let him go for anything!

Sarge wouldn't come back to Wigan anyway, he hated it from what I hear. JC on the other hand is probably regretting leaving and if he was to return to league would demand half the cap as his wage, so that's a no from me too.

I can see why you would want Sarge back but it won't happen if you ask me. As for gelling, can you imagine the uproar in the already dwindling stadium if a player of his stature, albeit more for his personality than his playing ability, was to be given the boot? that won't happen either. despite his regular brain explosions he is a class centre and to say he is off form when you could say that for more or less every player in our squad at present is a little unfair.

I can only see change happening IF we don't win the CC and fail to make the playoffs. IL will see a CC win and making the playoffs as well as being the current WCC holders as a successful season.