Can I ask, why are you so obsessed with age and experience?



You spent weeks on here saying that Sam wasn't ready to play against big, powerful forwards or top teams and shouldn't play until the Salford game but you've not mentioned it since.



Some of the world's best props are aged under 28. Just because many props peak at 30 or even older, doesn't mean we should be signing somebody based on either their age or experience.



How many of the Manly props were aged 28 or over when they did a demolition job on the Rhinos? King 27, Rose 25, Perry 28, Cuthbertson 24.



Look at the Kiwi props that won the World Cup. Cayless 30, Blair 22, Rapira 21, Manu 21 and occasionally Eastwood 21.



We should be signing players based on three things; ability, attitude and effort.



We already have Fielden 29, Feka 27, Coley 30, Prescott 23 and O'Carroll 21. If we replace Coley with somebody of a similar age to Fielden/Feka, we end up in a situation like a few years ago where 3 of our front line props all leave within a season of each other and we're in trouble.

Recruitment for next season is going to be very important if we are going to have any sustained success in the near future.



The players likely to be leaving are, Mathers, Coley, Bailey, Phelps, Smith and maybe Goulding



I think we should then target 3 players, prop, centre and half back.



Andy Lynch would be the ideal prop for me, wouldn't be on bagfuls and is english so wouldn't take up a quota spot (I think the more english players the better too)



A centre is a tough one because there doesn't seem to be many available. Isn't Joel Reddy off contract, he would be a good signing. Someone like Shenton would be perfect.



I would like to see an experienced half back to partner Tomkins, so this would allow Tommy to move to his best position (hooker) and we could send McIlorum on loan for a season. Lockyer would be ideal and if I was IL I would break the bank to bring him for a year or 2. Orford maybe? Once they've gone we could then look at bringing Dobson back or someone like that (Myler possibly)



Ideal side of



Richards

Roberts

Shenton/?

Carmont

Ainscough

Lockyer/Orford

S Tomkins

Fielden

Riddell

Lynch

Hansen

O'Loughlin

J Tomkins



Feka

Hock

Prescott

Tommy



Pryce, Eamon, Mossop, Farrell etc backing up



This would be a fantastic team. Would be within the bounds of the salary cap. 10 English or Academy players.

Wouldn't sign Lynch, good a player as he is, I'd prefer a younger prop for the continuity reasons Bridger said. LMS would do nicely.



Also, would rather Sam and Tommy in the halves with Riddell and Mike Mc at hooker for the next year while Sam and Mike Mc develop. Wouldn't like to lose McIllorum as he's showing good potential.

The problem with getting a young prop IMO is that we already have 2 very good ones now. So if we get Lynch then by the time he has gone they will both be able to be in the 17 every week (At the moment I think Prescott's injury's go against him) Hopefully we can keep Fielden on a reduced contract leaving us with Fielden, Feka, Prescott, O'Carroll as first team props with Ben Davies backing up.



I also think Tommy is a miles better 9 than 7. Having an experienced head along with Sam would do Sam nothing but good. We wouldn't be losing McIlorum if we sent him on loan as well.

One thing we'll agree on is the need for loaning out more of our fringe players with a view to 48hr recall to give them proper match exp.

Definitely

End of season Coley, Smith, Phelps and maybe Bailey. Wouldnt have signed Riddell this year would have gone all out for Newton.



Darren Lockyer - Stand Off- One year deal with a second and third year option pay as you play.



Andy Lynch/ LMS - Prop - 3 year deals.



Sean Briscoe- Fullback - I would be tempted to make an offer for him, I'm sure he wouldn't turn us down.



1- Briscoe

2- Roberts

3- Pryce/Goulding

4- Carmont/Pryce

5- Richards

6- Lockyer

7- Leuluai

8- Fielden

9- Newton

10- Lynch

11- Hock

12- Hansen

13- O'Loughlin



14- S.Tomkins

15- J.Tomkins

16- Palea'aesina

17- O'Carroll

18- Goulding

19- Prescott

20- Ainscough

21- Mossop

22- Flannagan

23- McIllorum



I want a team full of Wigan lads with a 3 or 4 superstars.

1- Briscoe - Quite fancy signing him

2- Roberts

3- Pryce

4- Carmont

5- Richards

6- S. Tomkins - Why hold him back any longer?

7- Leuluai

8- Fielden

9- Riddell

10- Lynch - Would be a good signing

11- Hock

12- J. Tomkins

13- O'Loughlin



14- S.Tomkins

15- Feka

16- Mossop

17- O'Carroll

18- Goulding

19- Prescott

20- Ainscough

21- Coley - I just have a feeling he'll still be here come 2010

22- I. Thornley

23- McIllorum



Other First Team Possibilities

Liam Farrell

Chris Gerrard

Ben Davies

I agree about not holding Tomkins back anymore..but why dont you feel the the same about Ainscough?



IMO Richards is top class fullback give him the number 1 and give Ainscough the start.

I do, if it were upto me I'd have both Ainscough and S Tomkins in the starting line up next season all the time.



I've said it on another thread, when the time comes where Pat needs to be moved to wing, who does Noble drop, Amos or Ainscough? Same question if we signed Briscoe or another full back.

I doubt we would sign Briscoe tbh, i think (hope) Mathers, Coley, Phelps, and possibly Bailey will leave, we shouldnt hold back Ainscough or Sam as said above, something like this would do me:



1. Richards

2. Roberts

3. Goulding

4. Carmont

5. Ainscough

6. Sam

7. Leuluai

8. Fielden

9. Riddell

10. New Prop

11. Hock

12. Hansen

13. O'Loughlin



14. Joel

15. Feka

16. McIlorum

17. O'Carroll



18. Prescott

19. Mossop

20. Pryce

21. Farrell

22. Thornley



etc

etc



and in 2011, Pryce to replace Carmont.



When Riddell leaves, Leuluai too hooker (i think he will be here for a long time) and sign a world class 7 to partner sam.



Sorted.

No chance!!

would try and offload Fielden as well, maybe replace him with Lynch and then score a huge Feka like south sea island prop in there mid 20's

www.wigantoday.net/warriors/Phel ... 5058872.jp So Wigan are still talking about a new signing. I would hold on to the money to up the contracts of players like Sam and Ainscough. They are probably on a pittance and deserve to be rewarded which means they'll stay with us. I'd only bring someone new in if we can offload someone (no names mentioned). We have enough players in the squad. Some are not Wigan standard (or maybe they are) but the above two I mentioned are our future.

www.wigantoday.net/warriors/Phel ... 5058872.jp So Wigan are still talking about a new signing. I would hold on to the money to up the contracts of players like Sam and Ainscough. They are probably on a pittance and deserve to be rewarded which means they'll stay with us. I'd only bring someone new in if we can offload someone (no names mentioned). We have enough players in the squad. Some are not Wigan standard (or maybe they are) but the above two I mentioned are our future.

want a bet?

Yea. I bet he doesn't start next season as first choice centre.

id agree with richards to FB BUT, he is our best winger

From the Wigantoday article it gives the impression they know when a certain player may become available and what it would cost to bring him in. Using the word "Quality" is encouraging.

They wern't saying earlier in the season they had space, then it was "we've only £20k spare"

I think Roberts could fill that role, he is a fantastic try scorer.

Richards should be our fullback fulltime from now on imo. He's safe as houses, runs it back pretty well and is solid in defence. He also gives you a good option around the middle when kicking out of hand in your own half as he has unbelieveable distance and really gets you out of trouble.



We're lucky now that we have some great wing options to cover his loss in that position like Roberts, Ainscough and Pryce.

Spot on

I agree. I thought earlier on in the season (only been 5 games!) that we needed to recruit a fullback but given Pat Richards ability at fullback and the strength we have out wide on the wings I think we should give the number 1 jersey to Richards next season and just release Mathers and have Roberts and Ainscough covering the wings.



The only thing I would like to see Pat do is make more runs into the attacking line in anticipation of an offload or a ball back on the inside. A bit like Celtic Crusaders do with Tony Duggan.

I've always thought that in time Richards will start to do alot more of that as he gains experience in the position.



I thought we saw last Saturday that he's capable of it.

Should Wigan go after Martin Gleeson for next year.

He is OOC at the end of this year so will be available unless the Wire re-sign him.

He did express a wish to play in Aus but there don't seem to be any takers.

After the World Cup shambles perhaps British players are not now on their radar.

Tim Sheens mentioned that Ellis needed to learn the basics of Rugby League. That from the most experienced NRL coach about a GB/England established International.

Since then Sheens been appointed their National Coach.

If Gleeson doesn't go to Australia should we go for him?

If signed he would come to the club as a federation trained player, we've plenty room for those!

Thoughts please.

IMO i'd say yes.



I'm sure SL will see a marked improvement in Gleeson this season under Smith. He's defiantly gone backwards under Cullen and Lowes which is very understandable given their obvious limitations as coaches and man managers. I’ve heard people say Smith is more a disciplinarian which means he’s gonna have the Warrington bad boy behaviour reigned in big time.



Gleeson would do more than a good job at Wigan.