I agree, and I think the clubs do have the option to revert back to u23s from next season. It was a ridiculous penny pinching exercise to move to the current system. All 24 of the clubs competing in the 2 pro/semi pro leagues from next season should be expected to field academy teams at each age group.

There's something about Jack Hughes that makes me want to keep him but I don't know what it is. I think he could go on to be a good player for us but still may need a year or so. I'd rather keep him than Pettybourne anyway.

Players who should leave IMO:

- Logan Tomkins (but he won't)
- Eddy Pettybourne (Offers next to nothing in attack and a liability in defence)
- Gil Dudson (See Eddy + penalty machine and Sutton, Greenwood, Crosby better options )
- Jack Murphy (not fair to keep stringing him along)
- Greg Burke (On Loan - make or break season after injury ridden 2014)

I expect Nick Gregson, Oli Gildart and Rob Lever to feature in some first team games next season

If Jack Hughes is at the club next season then i will consider not renewing my season ticket. Absolutely shocking player.

People had decided that Bowen was the worst player to ever pull a wigan shirt on after seeing him play twice so 10 games is more than enough.

Get Brady Mallam back

Pettybourne's worth perservering with but he needs to play regularly and consistently. He's had a tough season with injuries. A quick look at Bilko's site and he's made 12 appearances in 2014, though 8 of them were in February, March and April. He really hasn't been able to put a decent run of games together. When fit, I do think he's going to struggle to get in the side next year over Taylor, Flower, Crosby, Clubb and Tautai though.

It will be interesting who will push for places next season. C.Farrell is a second rower and Rob Lever has played prop, second row, loose forward and stand off in the academy this season. I think these two players along with Greg Burke will feature at some point.

Rob Lever looked a man amongst boys in the recent Widnes u19 game.

That is precisely why we need an u21 or u23 competition

Nah sod that! This team aint anywhere near young enough, get some embryos in!

There has been talk in East Hull that Greg Burke is heading over to Hull KR in 2015. I would guess 12 months loan.

I find the jump from u19 to open age difficult to fahom. Surely this is th age that we should be keeping their development in house, rather than farming them out here there and everyhere.

Other clubs will have an eye on Wigans young half backs and props. There are too many to keep long term but it is hard to tell which are the really deal. It will be interesting to see who Wigan put their money on.

I don't think there are too many that we can't keep them all long term.
Props wise, they are all reletaively young and it's an attritional position to play with knocks and missed games being common place at at Wigan like most clubs. SW likes plenty props and I think he will have eight next year at least.

Re half backs. Smith is the regular and is 27 I think. After him there's Powell, Williams, Hampshire and Doran. All four play half back but Doran, Powell and Williams also play 9.
Hampshire plays full back where SW seems to prefer him right now. Next year is when SW has to find his replacement for Bowen. Whether it is Sarginson or Hampshire will depend on how they play when selected.

Bearing in mind SW often selects 5 props a game and a bench half back/hooker there's not all that many spare players when injuries, suspensions or loss of form occur.

Bit of a harsh thing to say, he needs a rocket up his @rse i do agree..!!

Are you sure your not just using that as an excuse to ditch the season ticket cos every game bar Saints, Leeds and Wire is absolutely crap?? infact SL is crap, the potential of us beating those 3 above is the only thing that keeps me interested in SL these days.