I think we will try hard to sign Shaun Briscoe in 2011. That will work with the Wigan theme and he is a great player.

I've heard that IL is a great admirer, but it may depend on Mike Maguire's team-building plans.

Same here, it all adds up. Phelps only given 1 year deal, as Cruncher said IL is a big admirer, the 'bringing wigan back to wigan set up' and the fact that Briscoe has said in an interview he would love to come back to Wigan.

I would hope with MM's connections and knowledge of the lad Widdop would be a target for us, he is off contract at the end of next season and does not look like replacing Slater as the Storm number 1.

There is a real buzz about the kid every time i read about him.

He is also young and British.

Tipped for International honours next year by many in Australia despite not playing a first grade game yet.

Regards Briscoe, i rate him and he is a quality Wigan player and lad but I am of the opinion you should not go back, especially at the stage he is in his career.

Phelps needs a huge season to justify a deal beyond 2010 in my opinion.

Widdop is british?

Yeah, from Halifax. He and his family emigrated to Australia when he was younger.

Indeed, not that long ago either as I understand it. Its not as if he has been brought up in Australia think he had been in the Fax Academy prior to the move to Australia.

Widdop would be a risk as he would be pricey for a player of his age, we would have to be certain he would make the cut at FB.
IMO he could be more worth while than Briscoe though as he would not cost as much on the cap.

Briscoe showed how average he was in the Four Nations, where he looked as slow as Wellens ever did but more ponderous.

If he wasn't from Wigan none of you would even mention him.

the truth has no place on here concerning Briscoe.

We have a fantastic looking prospect in the reserves in Vievers I don't understand all the fuss made about a decent-at-best FB just because he's from Wigan. This policy of Wigan and Wigan only will get us nowhere unless the Wiganers are of the right quality.

There will not be many people better placed to assess him than our current coach has worked so closley with him.

The sunny climes of New South Wales or Wigan........?

Vievers is a Wellens clone, a lot of heart but no pace. Marsh imo is a better fullback prospect.

I'd worry about how Briscoe will shape up as the years roll by tbh. He's not blessed with too much pace as it is and he's bound to lose a yard as he gets up towards 30. He'd be 27/28 if he came to Wigan for 2011 and we'd probably get a good couple of years out of him but i'd like to see us have a player in the position who'll nail it down long term.

I thought Phelps did enough last season to suggest he's got the potential to do that. He has things to learn in the position but he's got the basics of a very good fullback.

Re: Phelps, whilst likeable and solid I think that long term Wigan's overseas signings should be of a higher calibre.

What I mean by that is 3-4 Top Class Overseas players with rest made up of First Class English players (Wigan produced and elsewhere).

That was the winning formula for years.

Sadly, I feel it may be beyond Phelps' ability to cement himself into place in the one season he now has with us.

If Ian Lenagan's vision comes to fruition of only having two or three overseas recruits but all of the highest standard, then I don't think that will include Cameron Phelps - unless he improves beyond recognition. At present he's a decent and willing journeyman. Try as I may, I don't see a star-in-the-making there.

Even without IL's plan, the overseas quota will steadily tighten in the next fews years, and the likes of Phelps, Bailey et al will be squeezed out.

Rightfully so in my opinion. We as supporters have been waiting a long time for the overseas quota to bite, and over the next couple of years we should really benefit from that.

While other clubs may be forced into playing youngsters and British players who simply aren't ready or good enough, we should be able to capitalize on this opportunity with are better youngsters.

I agree on both counts jonh.
With Briscoe, we all know why he had to leave Wigan, but he never got ahead of Wellens, did he? I think HKR may be one club too many and he will be better off being a big fish in a small pond until he retires and gets his nose fixed.
With Phelps, this is a big year for him. He improved greatly at the back end of last year, and if he can kick on in 2010, I'd be happy to keep him for 2011.

Personally while i agree Phelps must improve to cement a quota spot, i have to say after a shakey start i saw enough real quality in him to think he could be a long term Wigan player, he does need to hit the straps in 2010 but he very well could be our Mic Withers (Bradford version).

I agree and I would love to see him here but its still a risk.

Matty B has a point also.

Likewise jonh, I think Cameron has some real talent and I prefer him to Briscoe especially when you consider the difference in wages and that I think there's more to come from him.

Really like Phelps dont see why he cant make the wigan F/B is own for a few more years. aussie or not..he shows just as much passion as the wigan lads

Correct. I got caught up in the hype about Briscoe midway through the season, but when you assess the quality of British fullbacks and the performances from Shaun Briscoe in the Four Nations you realise just how over rated he is and how poor British fullbacks are - Richie Mathers, Paul Sykes, Matt Blaymire etc VERY average.

Widdop would be a top signing and there is a chance of signing him with MaGuire's link up with Melbourne Storm. But we would some competition IMO because he was named in the Toyota dream team alongside Australia's finest talents and other NRL clubs would probably be in for him & the lad probably has the ambition to play first grade in the NRL. Next season we will see how good he is as when Slater is away on SOO duty he will get his chance. For England's sake I hope he stays in the NRL, but from a more selfish view I would love for Wigan to sign him. A play making fullback who is one of the finest talents in the Australian game and he is English! (Oh he kicks goals as well). He should have been called up to the England squad in the Four Nations. If the British selectors open their eyes he should get called up for this years international tournament.

As for INS and OUTS a lot depends on how players perform this season. I had Andy Coley and Cameron Phelps out last season, but both (deservedly) got new contracts.

Phil Bailey will most likely go. The competition for second row spots is very high and I don't think he will be resigned.

George Carmont - A lot just depends on how Karl Pryce and Darrell Goulding get on. If neither develop to how he hope then we may just keep Carmont or we may look to bring in another centre from Australia/New Zealand.

Andy Coley - I think he will go at the end of the season. An average player who we should be looking to replace to challenge the top sides in the league.

Cameron Phelps - Is not as good as some people make him out to be. His attacking ability at fullback is very good (you can tell he was a six), but he is too unsure with high kicks and vunerable with 1v1's. Defensively it would take a massive improvement for him to be signed on. A likeable lad and that is why he gets the support he does, but you have to be ruthless with regards to recruitment. If Gareth Widdop becomes available/can be made available I hope we get him and NOT Shaun Briscoe.

Karl Pryce - Will most likely leave at the end of the season. Unfortunate with injury, but not shown anything in his time here to suggest he will be a big success. Huge disappointment and will most likely be left to leave to clear some cap space.

Darrell Goulding - All depends on his development. He is agile, quick and good with his feet. Hopefully Martin Gleeson can help his development defensively & so can Michael MaGuire. I still have high hopes for Goulding.

Harrison Hansen - is a great squad player. Gets through the defensive work and takes the ball up well. Doesn't count on the quota and wont demand a huge wage for the work he does. Should be resigned.

Mike McIlorum - is a really promising player who could make it at international level, but he still has a fair way to go. He is also very agile, quick and very strong defensively, but I don't think he is creative enough. He needs to be a bit more elusive at dummy half. He adding a bit of kicking to his game last season which was impressive. His discipline could be better, but I wont hold it against him - Terry Newton was similar.

Lee Mossop - resigned. Loads of potential, tough lad and is settling into Super League. Enough said.

Paul Prescott - I can't believe people calling for his head! Most props mature at around 26/27ish and I think Prescott will make a fantastic prop! He never takes a backwards step, well disciplined, holds his own in defense and is a hard working lad. Big unit and will be a very good player for Wigan.

Feka Paleaasina - Lost 1 and a half stone already in the off season. He has the right attitude and will sort himself out. The previous regime neglected his fitness, but Feka should take some of the blame. That said he is still devastating in Super League even if he is unfit - so imagine him in the same shape he was when he was at New Zealand Warriors! Rumoured to be a big earner so it would have to be the right contract.

Stuart Fielden - his wages would have to come down considerably to be even considered as a possible resign. We need to see some fire in the belly from Fielden again to justify a new contract. If his heart isn't in it then we should get rid.

why would this widdup want to come? top nrl talent, destined for a good career in the best league in the world by the looks of it.

indeed