Dunno, but some people seem to know the in and outs of the cats backside, best ask them...

looks like my posts about playing Murphy are out the window given the news that Murphys gone to Salford.......Sam at 1 it is then

An article in MEN today about the Salford takeover that mentions the Murphy loan deal also states we are in the market for an experienced centre and may be "active in the transfer market this week". Anyone think of any possibilities?

that would mean we have brought in 3 centres in 2 seasons, I'm not doubting it but I do think we should give Thornley and Gelling a crack before bringing someone in. I'd say an experienced prop proven at Sl level would be a better move but I doubt whether there are any available or we wouldn't have signed Taylor.other than that best to save our many in case any key long term injuries occur

well you was half right, you just had him down for the wrong team

An experienced centre might be a smart move, Hughes back to SR with Hocks departure giving more cover (especailly with Wane commenting theat Gelling needs to improve in the SR position), and I suspect Wane may have decided that Thornley and/or Gelling haven't shown enough in pre-season. Of course it would all depend on who would be available - especially at this stage of the season.

Murphy to Salford might be a good move - if he gets game time there it will be valuable experience.

Sam
Charnley
Goulding
Thornley
Richards
Green
Smith
Dudson
McIlorum
Mossop
Farrell
Hughes
Lockers

Logan
Gelling
Crosby
Mossop

Gelling will cover the back line and SR position.

No Prescott,Taylor or lauauki?
As you know I don't mind Gelling either and quite like the versatility he would bring but cant see him being used (Although I thought he looked quite dangerous ball in hand at Wire).

Crosby won't get in & Logan looks too lightweight for me defensively - Think 2 of the above will be in and Flower for me - For versatility purposes I can see Powell maybe getting in in front of Gelling.

PS

Just noticed you put Mossop in twice!

Crosby won't get in

From the way Waney has been speaking it looks like Thornley has put himself in a strong position for the centre spot. With him and Pat as Centre wing partnership we certainly wont be lacking for height and strength. It also looks like Tuson is struggling and Lauaki may miss out so I think we will go something like.

1. Sam Tomkins
2. Josh Charnley
3. Darrell Goulding
4. Iain Thornley
5. Pat Richards
6. Blake Green
7. Matty Smith
8. Paul Prescott
9. Mike McIlorum
10. Lee Mossop
11. Jack Hughes
12. Liam Farrell
13. Sean O'Loughlin

14. Scott Taylor
15. Gil Dudson
16. Greg Burke
17. Sam Powell

I think Burke deserves a shot after a good pre season. I also think Powell offers more than Logan off the bench.

I forgot Tuson as well. Lol.

That would be my team, and I also agree with your comments re Burke and Powell.

You and me both mate.

I can't remember seeing a more lightweight Wigan team for starting a campaign since I started watching in 1959.

In what way?

All 5 "Front Line" props are 6"1 to 6"3+ (Prescott/Mossop?Lauauki/Taylor & Dudson)
All 5 weigh between just over 16st through to just over 17st

Add Mickey Mac to that front row to give some "Bite" and it doesn't look "Lightweight" to me.

Whether there good enough or the props have enough Mongrel in them is another thing.
Bearing in mind we've only really lost Lima and in theory brought in Scott taylor who is a bigger physical specimen than Lima.

My concern is more around the development of Mossop/Prescott (Mossop in particular).
IMO he has shown glimpses that he could be our Main prop (ala Morley/Peacock) and then at times hes become anonymous (Back end of last year for me).
Prescott has always been the Steady Prop i.e. maybe not capable of those MOM performances but hopefully getting consistancy (Before we get anybody mentions Prescotts injury record his previous3 years to thelast one he averaged 29 out of approx 34 possible games per season - more than most other forwards in the squad).

Lauauki as a signing I was underwhelmed with but saying that he did slightly better last year IMO for what I was expecting.

In Dudson & Taylor we have the younger versions of Mossop & Prescott.
Taylor seems to be the more consistant whereas Dudson has the "Mongrel".

Our backrow looks a little lightweight with the loss of Hock for whatever reason (Lets not start that one again ) but with Hughes/Farrell/Tuson/Hansen/Flower/Lockers with Gelling/Burke/Lloyd pushing them (Not to mention Spencer etc) I don't think were too bad.

I stated end of last season that this year 2013 we may have to take 1 step back due to the settling in of the half backs & the development of the younger forwards but IMO hopefully this will lead due to the potential in these younger lads to 2 forward steps 2014/2015.