Hampshire and Williams are the halfback partnership of the future for Wigan. But it will be 2-3 years before they are ready for Super League.

The ideal scenario would have been Finch and Leuluai taking us through to that time but not to be.

However as we have two outstanding prospects waiting in the wings, we're probably looking for someone to come in for just a couple of years to replace Finch - probably ideal for an NRL recruit.

Hopefully Wigan can release some news soon that will have supporters looking towards 2013 more positively - purely announcing Matty Smith won't do the job either. Smith and Soward would be a different matter and surely there would be more money to spend either if those two were to sign. Which positions the money should be invested in is open to debate.

why not

Think Wane is hell bent on a Wigan/English team tbh though the way changes continue to be made and I would expect us to continue to promote from within.

With only Lauaki, Pat & gelling set to be overseas next year though, I would like to see a marque signing at 7, as I think without it we could struggle.

Lets hope matty russell also makes the step up for next year and we can give thornley some game time this to hopefully fill carmonts boots. If they can step up, with only a couple of shrewd signings, our line up for 2013 actually looks pretty good;

1. Russell
2. Charnley
3. Goulding
4. Thornley (Gelling or new centre)
5. Pat
6. Tomkins
7. NEW MARQUE WORLD CLASS S/H
8. Mossop
9. Micky Mac
10. Dudson
(hope the injury isnt as bad as thought - if he continues with game time this year he could step up to be one of our best front rowers IMO)
11. Hock
12. Hansen
13. SOL

Subs / Reserves: Lauaki / Prescott / Flower/ Crosby / Spencer/ Farrell / Tuson / Hughes / Lloyd / Mellor / Matty Smith / Logan / King / Powell etc.

Still one of the best line ups in SL IMO with only one or two quality signings - just hope IFL and Wane dont think this though, and think we can do without a quality half, as without replacing the quality of Tommy and Finch we will struggle!

The other worry for me is that if we do win SL this season, which without wanting to put the mockers on is a distinct posibility, we'll probably again fail to win the WCC as we will have a completely new half back pairing for that game, and wont be anything like clicking.

For me this is exactly why the WCC should be at the end of the year - I honestly believe if we played an aussie team at home, as we are playing at the minute, or at the end of the season, we would be more than a match for anything in the NRL at the moment. Problem is, we almost certainly wont be come february!

Finch/lima signed in feb for there new clubs.
Wigan have made an offer to ben roberts off a 2yr deal, roberts wants a 1 yr deal on big money.

i hope ian told him no thanks we have better in are academy!! i hate all this delaying that goes on at are club why not just come out with it soon as it happens?

Keep us updated pal - you're always spot on with the gossip.

I was hoping the first time I heard his name mentioned as a possible target was just unfounded speculation but hearing it again doesn't bode well.

From what I've seen of him, Ben Roberts is rubbish. Why Wigan would offer him a 2 year deal I'll never know. A very cheap 1 year deal as a gamble I could understand.

I've not seen Soward play, but he sounds an exciting player - well he did until I read this:

[urlhttp://www.zerotackle.com.au/esl-side-wigan-jamie-soward-5668/[/url

To some, they cant get rid of him quick enough.

How exactly is Wane "hell bent" on an English/Wigan team? He signed Lauaki and Gelling and would have wanted both Finch and Lima to stay. The fact is a lot of our players who were exempt under the quota rules are set to leave and we have a good set of quality players coming through from the youth system. IMO we won't be signing Matty Smith as a squad player, he'll be the direct replacement for Tommy, it's then a "marquee" stand off to play alongside him we need.

Completely agree about the WCC comments btw, I hate how it is played at the beginning of the following season, often with completely new playing staff and sometimes even coaching staff. Imagine if Madge had led us to the SL last year and Souths had won the NRL! Or if it had been us and Melbourne, Hoff could have won it with us then been playing against in the resulting competition!

I cringe everytime someone suggests moving Tomkins from full back.

Agree with the rest of your post though.