I don't think I underate the position.

I just trust that JT can step up and become a class centre to replace Gleeson. We do need a top replacement for Carmont though.

Sorry, didn't mean you personally underrate the position, just that it's an area which is in need of attention.

Here's a question, despite his 'rocky' personal past, would to have Gleeson back? Personally I would.

Me too.

Hes not had one bad performance. Hes had a few there. Over runs his winger far to much. Hes playing second rower in a centre position just moved over a man.

No way in a million years should Joel be Wigan's centre next year.

In fact I'd go as far as saying I'd put lockers at Centre this year and get Joel in at 13 popping up all over the pitch.

Defence wise he is fine. In attack, however, is where he really seems to struggle. Anyhow, given that he has been put in at centre, he is doing a decent job.

He attracts defenders and the rest will come with time. He will cause a lot of teams problems at centre.

(shudder)

With respect pal as you're normally a really good poster - that's a plain awful idea.

I'd prefer to recruit a specialist but Joel with an off season of work would be the best option we have.

When will he cause these problems? As far as I can see defences have got him easily sussed and after 2 months in the centre position he is not getting any better, in fact he now seems worse as teams know what to expect from him.

Don't get me wrong I appreciate how tough Joel has got it at the moment BUT I can't see him being a top centre. His passing is off and his option picking is shocking.

I don't think Lockers would be an amazing centre but I do think he'd create more room for his wing man and his passing is top notch also.

Did he not play there for England a few years ago?

How can people expect Joel to have nailed the position already? He's been playing centre for just a couple of months now and whilst it's has it's ups and downs he's shown enough IMO to suggest he can make it work to a very high level fulltime if needs be.

The areas we recruit in will decide his position for next year.

Problem is Joel at centre might be the lesser of two evils, their maybe no suitable centres available.

It's a very difficult job to think of more then 1 or 2 realistic options who are available in the position for next season especially ones that are good enough.

Outside of King, Ratchford or possibly keeping Carmont I can't think of any and many wouldn't be happy with Ratchford.

this is all fine in theory but for mine we are spoling the chances of one of our brightest stars - joel could be a world class backrower...

in a year or twos time when he gets a big nrl offer to go over there playing as a second rower (where he is far more involved) or sta at wigan 'helping out the team' and he then goes to oz we can have no cause to complain. loyalty is a 2 way thing

get joel back to where he belongs!!!

exactly he isnt good enough there, get a youngster in there who has the positional knowhow.

stevemascord.com/2011/06/08/hoff ... ace-blair/

stevemascord.com/2011/06/08/hoff ... ace-blair/

[url=http://stevemascord.com/2011/06/08/hoffman-ready-to-replace-blair/Hoffman to replace Adam Blair at Melbourne[/url

'Hoffman has an option to leave Wigan at the end of the season and is thought to have politely declined joining the Cherry and Whites’ coach Michael Maguire at South Sydney.'

It was quite encouraging to hear that he considers he has two options - Melbourne or another year at Wigan.

That said, I'd be absolutely stunned if he opted to stay here.

I know there's all kinds of crap written online, and that you can't take anything at face value, but that reference to Hoffman being put off staying because of the uncertainty regarding the coaching position was pretty irritating. Another reason to be miffed about Madge going early.

Yup, i noticed that word too, but as you say, probably just "paper" talk. I don't think any of us are suprised that he would choose to go back.

The longer this goes on and its gone on far longer than I thought it would - the more I think Wigan may be looking at someone other than Shaun Wane for the head coach's job.

If Blair moves then surely Hoffman would return to Melbourne.
It is a credit to our club that it is just between Wigan and Melbourne and no other club is being considered. There isn't another club that wouldn't want Hoffman in their pack.

As for Joel, I'd prefer to see us sign a quality right centre and Joel revert to his original position of right sided second rower. He was devastating there last year and could be again should a quality signing could be made for the 3 shirt.

Hard to know to what extent that's actually a factor though

Even if Madge was staying there is every chance Hoffman would still be returning.

But as MadDogg says, the longer passes without Wane being confirmed the less likely it seems he will get the job. If the applicants for the job have been as high profile as IL suggests he will have a difficult choice.

Unless it is a case of IL (or indeed Wane himself) not wanting to change the existing dynamics within the coaching structure

would be gutted to lose him because our coach hasnt been decided yet

+1

All the more reason to announce it sooner rather than later.

I don't think the coaching situation would have too much bearing, its been no secret that he would like to go back but thats not necessarily an option, its dependent on the Storms SC situation, I think if a move comes off for Blair he will go back, if not he will take up the option of the second year with us, I think talk of the coach is just paper talk, I'm sure the players have a very good idea who will be the coach.