50 well it's a nothing game but in your eyes a world cup final enjoy.

I agree and I don’t.

I think we need games where we can rotate, throw in some of the “outsiders” if you will and see what youths have the ability to become not just first teamers but first team regulars and starters. The game v Leigh (although I didn’t go) has shown that the likes of Havard, Smith, Bullock and other “outsiders” or youth players deserve their shot at the first team. It’s also shown that the likes of Navarette and Shorrocks have no future at Wigan.

It’s tough to have a game and just throw first teamers in as Lam is still deciding who some of them will be in 2020, the same will be true for the first few games I’d imagine. That Leigh game has thrown up a whole new bunch of headaches for Lam, and I would hope that if anyone doesn’t start well, they’ll be out and someone who showed promise in.

Agree with all of your points.
I just hope that Lam picks on form rather than reputation particularly re Greenwood and Clubb.
I like Hanley and I hope to see him make his debut this coming season.

He looked in great shape physically although I can’t say I noticed too much from him playing wise. It could be a slow process with Wells but he’s somebody who I’ve been excited to watch develop at first team level for ages. The injuries have held him back but he was exceptionally talented at academy level and I still have high hopes he could become pretty special.

Have a rewatch if you get time mate. I may have been guilty of “looking out for him” but thought he put a real shift in and got involved a lot.

Was made up he got a new deal last year, I feel we should be patient with him, was superb in 2017.

Must admit I was watching on my phone half the time and getting distracted by my little girl, so I’ve probably missed decent contributions of many players. Either way we fully agree on the potential this guy has. I had him down as a future international when he was first breaking through and he can still be that IMO. He needs some luck and belief and he can get there one day. He firstly needs to get his first team Wigan career going.

It really is staggering how many good young forwards we have who’ve broke through or they’re trying to break through. The three lads last year in Smithies, Partington and Byrne are the furthest along but then you have Wells, who’s had his development held back by injuries and after him there’s a whole host of talent who are fantastic prospects. I’m a huge fan of Havard and Kilner in the front row, the two young hookers are good prospects and then there’s Shorrocks, Rushton, McDonnell and Pearce-Paul in the back row. It’ll be keeping them all in first team chances to keep them all developing which will be a challenge.