Well I'm personally not particularly enthralled by Goulding at three and Tommy at 7. But I'd agree that's probably how we'll start the season.

I also wouldn't start Mossop and Prescott together. But now I'm just nitpicking. God knows we could do with some depth there. Touch wood Carmont can make it through the season without injury.

Must say looking at that...for the first time in 2 years I think we look fairly weak and Im a little worried! Last year we had class players outside the 17 and good competition for places, this year we've lost hoffman, coley, joel & deacon and have little significant quality to replace them.

Unless either we get some decent signings in, or the young lads currently in the 20s step up massively this year a'la saints last year, I think we will lose some serious ground on wire.

Last seaon Wigan and Wire were one or two divisions up from the rest of the league for the majority of the season but I see us dropping back into a league with saints, leeds, and huds fighting for a distant second unfortunately.....yes we may do a Leeds and get lucky at the end of the season but cant see us being anywhere near wire at the top next year who will walk the league by about 6-8 points IMO! We will lose games down the right hand side i fear which could become turnstylesque next year!

Frankly we need a top class centre but leneghan has obviously decided to not get his hand in his pocket judging by his comments and I think that, with massive losses in the pack, will see us lose a massive competitve edge next season.

Also McIllurum as seemingly the only first team hooker in the squad if it appears tommy is back to 7 is not far from suicide IMO. McIllurum simply isnt good enough to control a game as 1st choice hooker - interchange yes- starting hooker is a big no no!

I fear the season could rest on whether Mellor or Tomkins junior are good enough to make a massive step up to being first team regulars, giving us options in the middle, and Roberts miraculously returning to start of the season 2010 form and plugging the right wing with Charnley centre.

Interesting times but I fear we've lost too much all at once again - it will certainly be a year of transition!

Going of that id say we're a decent outside bet to retain the challenge cup but we've suddenly gone from being odds on to win everything to being one of 4/5 decent teams at the top with a reasonable chance!

Made up for Prescott and Mossop. They've worked so hard these past couple of years to establish themselves in the side and they get a reward there. They're both going to be the cornerstone of our pack for a good number of years and should go on to be the same at international level as well.

As for the other numbers I wouldn't read too much in to Goulding getting the 3 shirt. They have to give it to somebody because if they left it free it would just make everyone go in to overdrive speculating about a signing that probably won;t happen.

The only number I have a problem with is Hock getting the 12 shirt. I'm not sure he warrents that tbh. I think he's a great player but he did let the club down 2 years back and again on his return with a moment of madness at Wire. He needs to put in a big pre season, keep his head down and prove himself on the field (which i think he will do by the way).

I'd have give Farrell the 12 shirt. He's going to have a huge season in 2012 imo. He suffered a touch of 2nd season syndrome last year but showed some positive signs near the end and will rip it up this time around.

Looks a significantly weaker squad than last year on paper, both in depth and quality.

Hasn't Goulding had the #3 shirt before?

With that in mind, I wouldn't read too much into it

Yeah he wore #3 in Nobby's last season in charge

goulding and hock not good enough for starting jerseys for mine. hope to be proved wrong.

Come off it, Hock's definitely good enough. I think he'll be 10x better than last season after getting a full pre-season with Wane, Bitcon etc behind him. Peope expected too much of him after he returned last year, and we only saw anywhere near his best in flashes.

I wouldnt read too much in to these squad nos either tbh, he had to name them and it was easier to leave 3 numbers out of the 1-17 slots empty rather than earmark it for a potential replacement who then doesnt turn up. Wane hasnt even got them all back yet, after a few weeks of training he might decide he likes the look of Charnley at 3 with Amos/Goulding outside him. I wonder if it would be better for us not to have squad numbers and just do it like the Aussies do?