One of the best prospects in the country is our U19's player of the year and hooker Josh Ganson

The 'culture' of the club over recent years, the main question is "[i Is he cheap ?"[/i .

And therein lies where a lot of the criticism emanates.

After the disappointing last season, the club via the Chairmans very recent speech indicated they 'felt our pain'.

But it seems like it's a continuation of that very same culture and policy. Surely Mr.Lenagan should have signalled his intent with this signing ? It doesn't look like it.

I made a comment in this forum very recently when we used to sign players of the calibre of Gene Miles. Even if this lad does really well, he will either go back to Oz asap or we will sell him. That's where we are up to, and then people wonder why there is a constant bewilderment and criticism.

As 'Cruncher' opines, we only have a possible three players at the club who are really up to a decent standard. We do lack star quality. And when Lockers doesn't play, neither do the team. Spectators patience only lasts a certain amount of time. We are already seeing that with falling crowds.

The club can't make a statement signing without the cap space. We've got numerous internationals in the squad and like it or not, we have two players on very good money under the marquee rule. We certainly aren't scrimping on players salaries given a huge loss in the last financial year, with much of that being an increase in wages by all accounts.

It sounds like before we can get anyone else in, players will need to leave and that doesn't surprise me looking at our squad.

Cap space would have been plenty without the Marquee... ST and the resigning of his even worse Brother, absolute terrible business, the constant projects and excuse after excuse pretty well sums up the current regime.

So it looks as though in the last few years we have got ourselves into a bit of a pickle regarding wages and how much we have paid certain players. Its a pity because this squad isn't far off being a brilliant team and we should have capitalised on it but brought in (some) wrong players and neglected coaching and training. It could set us back a couple more years yet. The platform was there to really progress but instead we have done the opposite. There can only be Wane to blame for that and possibly IL for taking his eye off the ball. I think Wane has slipped into that mentallity of thinking he has 'made it' in the game, its his team and everything is rosy. If you get too comfortable and too chummy with your staff you are in real danger. You need to be on your toes all the time.

Cant trust to youtube, I can look good on youtube, but we can but hope he succeeds

The truth is there was a real buzz of anticipation at the start of the season. I can't remember anybody thinking we were worse by replacing Smith with TL etc and most thought we'd go far better than we did. As u say, hindsight and all that...

I remember a number of people questioning the TL signing at the expense of Smith, I was disappointed to see Smith return to St.Helens as I think his in field kicking is better as well as his ability to organise the side.

To remind ourselves of the impact of an organiser you only have to look at the signing of Paul Deacon who raised little excitement when we signed him.

Speaking of clever understated signings the current side is crying out for an Andy Coley type prop and a scrum half.

I wasn't around last season on here but I certainly thought it was an error in getting rid of Smith,also Mossop and Crosby too out of the gate the squad was weaker, couple that to the coaching methods that stood still still and a shedload of injuries and the perfect storm of last season happened.

TL for me was always a hooker,i thought he was signed as cover for MM to be honest.

Really? Even Saints dropped Smith in the end.

Really.

I don't think swapping Smith for TL has been if any benefit to Wigan at all regardless of what has happened to Smith at Saints. I like TL has a player but even during his original stint at Wigan I never thought he was the creative 7 we have needed.

If TL was released by Wigan tomorrow do you think any of the top clubs would want him as their 7? Back up hooker maybe.

If it was ‘fantasy football’ I’d sacrifice McClorrum, Powell and TL to rotate at hooker for next year with hopefully Ganson stepping up in 2019. MM’s wage could then go towards an organising #7 with a kicking game.

Unfortunately it’s not that easy though.