2021 - We've signed Mason Lino to take over the organising which will free Jacob Miller up to play his natural game.

2023 - Now Jacob Miller gone Lino will take over the organising and he can be the main man.

Also 2023 - We've signed Luke Gale to take over the organising which will free Lino up to play his natural game.

Nearly four years in and we still don't know if he's an organising half or running half. If we have signed Trueman and Russell then Powell has probably decided it's neither.

I would like to see a halfback come in on loan or a utility. Someone like Hampshire. With Lawford out for season, Lino unknown for how long he’s out or could be out for and Gale effectively having to play every game with playoffs upcoming it’s not ideal. Unless the plan is for Jowitt to see out the season at 6. Someone like Hampshire would be a good option. I think we do need a loan half just to be safe. Or even manage Gale.

As for signings,

I’m don’t think signing for 2025 must be announced by the deadline. It’s more for remaining 2024 signings that need to be announced before tomorrow. So the likes of Storton/Russell etc can be announced anytime. The Storton one I would say could be just a matter of announcing. Less convinced on Marty Russell rumour.

It already is Walmsley to 1 and Jowitt to 7. You don’t need our thoughts because it’s already happened. That’s the position we find ourselves in. Jowitt is the best option.

Interesting take. I have always had Lino down as the headless chicken half with the skips across the line, the delayed or miss times passes and the only real play the crash ball onto a running second rower.

Interestingly Lino’s best game this season was the only time he’s been out on the left vs bulls.

With Field and French struggling I can't see Wigan letting him go any time soon. If anyone comes in this season I reckon it'll be Trueman.

Miller is a decent HB, Lino is the headless chicken, think you’re in a minority on that. In the few decent games we’ve had from Lino in the early days they were all when partnered by Miller. For me Lino just doesn’t have the smarts as. HB.

Agreed. I do actually think he would make a more decent 9 would Lino. Though past comments are he’s refused to play in that position.

I agree about the smarts. He doesn’t appear to organise plays or command the edges in the early tackle count to set up plays and it’s very off the cuff stuff which on the odd ocassion works but often he’s run out, takes it too close to the line and gets shut down or forced a pass that doesn’t amount to much.

Not sure where the kicking game comes from. He can get decent height on bombs but they’re not what I’d call well placed.

Me neither to be honest. There was rumour we had signed the Trueman show. Allegedly signed him and loaned him to FC for 4 weeks to join us for the run in this season. Would be a good move if true.

I think Lino's issues are as much about the team as him.
When Griffin plays, his double pump works. They took some time to get it going but it works now.
Others aren't there yet.

He's proved he can do it, like against Bradford when we were down on numbers.
We'll just have to see.

Miller never let Wakefield down ,was not quite the same player after he broke a bone against Wigan ,but still gave 100% and one of the better half we have had. Do not like how Lino gets all the stick for what as happened over the last few year Getting did of Hampshire and keeping Gaskell was a shocking move, letting Miller go to Cas was one more ,and all the time we have had Hood at 9 who as brought nothing to the attack of the spine .So my take on it lets get a attacking 9 and 6 and let's see how Lino goes .Leigh started of there season with there spine out they struggled ,they are back now and winning again because of the speed of there spine Wigan are struggling because the speed in there spine is out .Lino can not do it on is own and with the slow spine he has had this year to help him, think it unfair to blame him,and we have struggled more since he as been out injured .No I will get stick but unfair to blame one player for the last few year

So he can do it in a few games, in the championship, as long as he has players around him that could break a line with me passing them a ball like Griffin. He should be the stand out half back in the comp if we are thinking he is a first choice half for next year and he is a way off that. He's not good enough, simple.

His double pump doesn’t always work even with Griffin. It does sometimes but others it’s been too late and Griffin hasn’t taken it in or been caught with the ball. It does occasionally work.

At the bulls game he wasn’t on the side he regularly plays on. He was on the left and seemed to enjoy some success there as opposed to the right where moves regularly break down.

He proved he can do it but when i say few I’m being quite generous as it’s a handful of games over a couple of years. He’s more often proved that he struggles to initiate or control plays.

He’s with us though so hopefully we see more of his better performances. He’d be our best option now if he was fit.

All this talk about Lino not being up to standard surely the coaches must have seen this & take some of the blame for this season especially. Powell was one of the best halfbacks in Britain why hasn't he taken Lino aside & give him some pointers & if he has why isn't Lino listening to him to me that's a coach. We should have seen some improvement in his game this season.

Has someone put a bounty on Poptarts head?

Homme Vaste sure is hunting him down a fair bit on here!

I've never understood the criticism Miller was on the receiving end of. One of the best half backs we've had in recent times.

Whilst I agreed about Lino potentially being a being a decent 9, that was when we were working to a much smaller budget. With Ellis in charge I'd much rather us sign a recognised hooker than trying to re-train someone already in his 30s.