I am told quite reliably from a current member of the backroom staff at Wigan that I still work with there was a lot of discord among the group over the last week, I was told a few of the younger players felt agitated that the seniors didn't contribute enough in the St Helens game and something was said that created a bit of tension/division. Lam stayed out of it and the performance last night showed how that masterstroke played out.

As much as I was told from the 'horses mouth' there is no truth in the return home for Zak, I am becoming more and more sure Bevan was signed as a replacement for him next year. I don't want to delve into it, I just honestly can't see him wearing Cherry & White next year. Cas now have the cap space to bring him back. I would expect an announcement not long after the Grand Final, if not before given neither clubs have any involvement. Hull KR, Huddersfield and Toronto were all very interested in Bevan French offering him guaranteed first team footie at full back, be a bit strange if he signed for us to happily play utility or back up.

Joe Greenwood looks odds-on to be out, the player/club relationship soured over him being officially cleared to play but refusing as he didn't feel right after his last concussion, his balance is off massively and he is getting migraines. I am not the biggest Tony Clubb fan, but what I do know is he agreed heavily reduced terms and it is a good deal for the club for a back-up player. I think this will be reflected in the squad numbers for next year.

Partington is far too small to play prop, he needs to play wider. There's no doubting his heart and bravery but he's physically too small as the last two weeks have shown.

Zak isn’t going anywhere, most of Luke Gales wages are being spent on Danny Richardson and that will just about bring them up to the cap

Yep i agree regarding Hardaker Richie. I think he will be on his way. He has been decent but i dont think he will be a huge loss. We need more strike from FB as in Tomkins MK 1. Hardaker is steady in defence but not much more. lost his zip and just doesnt seem like he wants to be here. I am glad we signed him but wont be heartbroken if he leaves.

Lenighan hinted in his speech at the recent fans forum that French may well play full back with Zak at right centre next season.

I think that makes us a stronger side.

Imagine that would give a back line of:

French
Marshall
Zak
Gilly
Budgy
????
hastings

If the youngsters have opened their mouths about the elders not pulling their fingers out I think that’s fantastic and a good sign for the future, they were right. If the elders have had a go back and Lam has left it then he is part of the problem too, if he’s not got the balls to have tough conversations with experienced players then he’s in the wrong job.

If Hardaker goes I’ll be disappointed as I think next season he will be back to his best, especially with a good pre season under his belt.

Joe Greenwood can go, he’s a good player but he’s too soft. No shame in that, it’s just the way he is.

Whats with players and head knocks these days?

I never remember players crying off so frequently in the 80s and 90s with head knocks.They would get KO'd and get up and play on. Nowadays, a head merely has to go back in a hard tackle and they are off the field and out of the next game.

Could anybody imagine Andy Gregory or Andy Platt being kept out for weeks because he got a bang on the head?

Do you have permanent concussion ?

No, do you?

What a ridiculous comment, it’s been medically proven that too many head knocks can lead to brain damage, rugby is a very short career, risking physical damage to the head permanently isn’t worth it

Is it me or just a coincidence since Lockers and Flower came back in the side we seem to have gone backwards. We learned to play without Lockers can see the unrest as both Lockers walked back into the team. On the other hand both Smithies and Partington gave their all but seemed to have burned themselves out or if there is unrest not playing to their full capacity.

Looks terrible to me.

French at fullback would be awful. His tackling is terrible. God help him in a one on one. Can he even take a high bomb? He does not seem to have any one position nailed down but looks most suited to the wing.

Hardaker is not a centre. Yes he can fill in there but he has never shown anything to suggest that he should play there full time.

Budgy is finished as a top class winger. He has become lazy, looks lethargic, runs sideways more than forwards and has lost his speed which was what made him a great winger. He should be nowhere near the team once Manfredi and Davies are fit.

Marshall always looks to be carrying an injury. Either that or he has also lost a yard of pace.

How many RL players from the past have suffered brain damage?