There seems to be an awful lot of dissatisfaction with our squad at present, but if you compare it to last year surely we are better placed ?

We had 8 departures, but from those leaving only Sandow and Dodds were significant losses. And even here, can you say Dodds will be missed - because he didn't actually play (ok, 2 matches) and Sandow was nowhere near his pre injury form at the back end of last year (when it really mattered). In their place we have Cooper and Crosby, two very good signings that will go straight into the match day 17. I don't know what we will see from Savelio, but he will surely be up for the new challenge after being shipped out by Saints last year. Lets not forget we were chasing his signature prior to the prop forward / back row argument he had with his club. Daft as it sounds, Kevin Brown is an unknown for me. He certainly will not replace early season Sandow, but he could solve the problem we have close to the opposition try line where we have looked clueless at times.Depends on his motivation, confidence and how easily he can slot into the style of play.

looking at the shape of the team, we had one major problem last year with insufficient go-forward from our props. That is now fixed at a stroke with Cooper and Crosby, so we shouldn't have to rely so heavily on Russell to get us back up field. And Hill will not have to do such long minutes, in fact we should be able to rest him for the odd game or two. Lets hope he copes with the shock.

All the younger kids will have benefitted from some 1st team experience, and Patton and King from the high intensity matches at the end of the season. Patton in particular looks as though he might have broken through at last.

On the negative side, we will lose Ratchford until March (coincidentally, exactly the same as last year) and will not see Currie until ? May.

You can niggle about wingers and centres, but every other SL side will also have issues, and all coaches will adapt the tactics to use a players strengths whilst avoiding situations where his weaknesses are exposed. Overall I think the squad is stronger than last year, will benefit from the 2nd year Clarke fitness regime, and have the experience and motivation from two finals in 2016. Providing we don't get decimated by injuries we have the squad to go one better than last year.

Good post Winslade's as many are asking questions be it signings or positions, I'm with you on King and Patton, In Brown we could see a more direct approach from our centres and wings, being without Currie no Harrison the usual injuries another forward would have been nice, we're never happy yet compared to last season I can't complain.

Thanks "Offload" excellent summary.

Russel
Penny
Atkins
T king
T Lineham
Gidley
Brown
Cooper
Clark
Hill
Savelio
Hughes
Westerman

Crosby sims Dwyer/Smith king/philbin

To start with those missing the start to have to win their spot back.

Certainly not short of props and 2nd rowers.

Savelio has his work cut out to get into that side especially when eventually currie gets back.

It's perfectly possible to be better than last year and still be dissatisfied. Thankfully Smith has recognised our lack of go forward and recruited soundly. Still no enforcer that actually intimidates an opposition pack but it's better.

I'm still disappointed that we only have one winger and one centre of GF winning quality. (Evans must have compromising pictures of Tony Smith). Plus a 'must be seen to be believed' lack of pace across all the backs.

The one thing I had was last year was the warm feeling we had a truly creative scrum half who could kick us around the park and be a constant threat to the opposition.

We'll see.

i have to admit to being quietly confident going into this coming season... we have effectively gone from 2 props to 4. Thats going to have a massive difference on the side i think. In the past when Hill and sims went off it was pretty much backs to the wall and hang in there. Not so anymore... This pack will have pace and power next season, which should enable Clark to have his best season in a wire shirt. I think Clark could well be a MOS contender this coming season.

I am also quite looking forward to seeing Savelio, who could turn out to be one of the signings of the season.

In the halves, Kevin Brown is going to give us something we have been lacking. We have really struggled to unlock teams from inside their 25 the last few years.. We have lacked creativity big style. Sandow didn't really give us that.. He gave us flashes of brilliance, a few amazing kicks.. but nothing we could depend on. I think Brown is going to bring a little bit of 'Briers' back to the side.

I'm not expecting us to have a different approach to games... there will still be alot of scooting from Russell, Clark and Ratchford... I am expecting more structure and organisation near their line though.

We are still a bit weak in the and i will no doubt be frustrated at selections on the wing... But im learning to try and be cup half full kind of guy.

Having said that, i would still like a new coach

I'm guessing that you forgot about Westwood?

I have been wondering if Savelio has been signed in anticipation of the NRL coming sniffing round Currie?

I am quite content with the squad for next year but still reserve the right to have a whinge about our recruitment at any point. The things I do have concerns about are the mental toughness and team spirit.
Last year was a bit of a roller-coaster with Sandows antics, Lineham in then out and back in the team. Brad Dwyer missing the last few games (injury?), etc.
We are not far off, and the extra 5% that true unity can bring could be the difference. I don't know what it was (discipline, fear, team spirit) but the wheel should have fallen off at Wigan half way through last season but it didn't.
as you can tell I am jo sports psychologist but the mental state of the group and having a will to win could be the only thing we now need although greg Inglis would still be a big help.
The last home game against Wigan was a right kick in the nuts and we looked like we had lost any will to win in the last 20 mins whereas they never gave up.
That edge is what we need.

No but I assumed with his injury he may not e ready for start or will be eased back In.

I'm not sure where he fits in tbh not good enough for our second row n who out of Cooper hill sims Crosby down drop for him.

I'd like to see him used less but in the more important games where he can lead by example n be 100% for them games.

Or that Currie will be missing till June at the earliest?

Westwood would be an ideal sub. as he's a real handful for a short period.

Too obvious! But was looking at the signing from Savelios point of view, can't imagine he has come here thinking he will be playing second fiddle.

Savelio will be targeting Jack Hughes' spot I should imagine. Hughes has done OK for me, but nothing more and maybe there is scope for improved attacking prowess in that position.

Has Hughes ever played centre...or hooker...

I'm assuming that Rogues, the Purple Aki of Wigan RL will be along shortly to let us know...

We looked at our absolute worst when Hughes was injured. Very under appreciated player, much like Trent Waterhouse. does nothing spectacular but does everything well and never slacks off. Does the little 1% things off the ball that wins you games.

Jack Hughes was Mr Dependable on the right edge in defence I am a little underwhelmed with his attacking prowess and hitting the line hard and bursting through gaps (ala Liam Farrell in the Grand Final).

He was given the number 4 shirt at Wigan when Carmont retired, he played a fair few times at centre (did well against Leeds), but ultimate would just be an athletic strong centre without a passing game.

Yes I recall on here there were some who had Hughes as the better player than Farrell. I must admit it crossed my mind as Farrell ran over Gidley and put Gildart through in the GF.

Sorry to sound like a stuck record but I think the injuries to our props affected the whole scrum, with Hill and Sims doing long spells it meant the back row were plugging gaps leaving little in the tank for attack. I'm really hoping that this view will be supported by what happens this coming season which is definitely "our year" in case anyone was unaware.

Is that recruitment done now then? If Sandow was our marquee player his salary cap value would have been £175k, surely Brown won't be on that?

Still cap space remaining?

I thought the club had stated in the past that Sandow was not classed as a Marquee player... maybe he wasn't on quite the salary most would like to think.

But yes, it's almost certain there is still plenty of cap space to play with after Brown's signing.

Doubt we'll see any movement before the start of the season though. Maybe if there's a second injury crisis later in the season we can utilise that cap space to shore up the threequarters.

The more I look at the squad, the more I like it. Shifted some dead wood, replaced with real competitors in Cooper and Crosby. Savelio looked a handful at Saints and was ok at Cas, and will add more than what Wilde/Philbin could offer at the moment.
The young guys are going to be a bit stronger and battle hardened, Johnson, Wilde, Smith and Livett will be pushing for minutes I suspect.
And I like Brown. He can move the ball well, and with genuine strike options like Currie (in June), Atkins and potentially Penny on that left side, he'all have a few more options than at Widnes with Ah Van and Runciman.
I'm not saying it's our year or any of that nonsense, but the squad has strength and balance.