A shame to see Charnley go because on his day he's one of the best British wingers in the game. We haven't seen the best of him for a couple of years until recently but he's looking fitter, more interested and close to his best at the minute. For his replacement the easy answer is Burgess. He's too good for reserve grade and not getting a look in at the Roosters, plus he plays in one of the positions we have tons of good options in at international level, so if he wants to keep his England place he needs to be playing regular SL or NRL.

Sarg has been marmite with a lot of fans ever since we signed him. I personally think he is much better suited to the fullback role than he is at centre, but he doesn't offer the creativity or ball playing skills that you get from Sam. I don't see how we'd have fitted Sam, Oli and Sarg in a first choice 17 so it's probably a blessing in disguise that he's going. Plus I think a lot of us have suspected he was always using Wigan as a 3 season stepping stone to RU/NRL, which has been pretty much confirmed in the press release.

It's been a long month for Tom Johnstone - clearly an exceptionally promising player. I'd have an offer in for him this afternoon.

As for leaving Wakefield to build their own team - no thanks. All they do is leech off the rest of SL.

Enjoy Carney. Will make metres and score tries if outside a good centre. But is bone achingly fustrating to watch in defence has to be the worse winger in SL for it.

Also, if we don't get in there with an offer, somebody else will.

Absolutely. That can never be a consideration in the current climate. They're bound to go down at some point soon, but even if they don't, Johnston won't be staying there. If we don't move for him, he'll most likely end up at Saints or Warrington, or maybe - if he's a total knucklehead - Salford.

I think the best thing to do re Johnston is log our interest should he become available. He is on a 3 year deal at Trinity and is still in his first full season of SL. If he comes on the market then I would love us to go for him, however I can only see that happening if Trinity are relegated. Trinity have turned down offers for him in the past to their credit and I hope they continue to do so.

He looks to be developing well, he has physically all the tools, let him get the experience playing for a club he clearly enjoys playing for.

I have no doubt all the traditional big clubs will be taking note of his performance but if someone does make a move and Trinity can't refuse it I am sure neither his agent or the club will be not be public about it to generate the best deal possible.

Quote ="jonh"I think the best thing to do re Johnston is log our interest should he become available. He is on a 3 year deal at Trinity and is still in his first full season of SL. If he comes on the market then I would love us to go for him, however I can only see that happening if Trinity are relegated. Trinity have turned down offers for him in the past to their credit and I hope they continue to do so. He looks to be developing well, he has physically all the tools, let him get the experience playing for a club he clearly enjoys playing for. I have no doubt all the traditional big clubs will be taking note of his performance but if someone does make a move and Trinity can't refuse it I am sure neither his agent or the club will be not be public about it to generate the best deal possible.'" I wondered what all the fuss was about until I saw this. https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j ... oB0s6SEBUg

Quote ="jonh"I think the best thing to do re Johnston is log our interest should he become available. He is on a 3 year deal at Trinity and is still in his first full season of SL. If he comes on the market then I would love us to go for him, however I can only see that happening if Trinity are relegated. Trinity have turned down offers for him in the past to their credit and I hope they continue to do so. He looks to be developing well, he has physically all the tools, let him get the experience playing for a club he clearly enjoys playing for. I have no doubt all the traditional big clubs will be taking note of his performance but if someone does make a move and Trinity can't refuse it I am sure neither his agent or the club will be not be public about it to generate the best deal possible.'" I wondered what all the fuss was about until I saw this. https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j ... oB0s6SEBUg

My only concern would be bringing yet another young player into what is still a very young backline. That's why I would probably make a move for Carney or try to bring Joe Burgess back from Aus. At least Wigan know (and will have known for a few weeks) that they will have to look for one or two new recruits for next season. I like the look of Jack Higginson, but think that next year would probably be to soon for him.

It's not Johnstone you want it's Denny Solomona

Got to be either Burgess or Justin Carney to replace Josh.

Burgess has now tried the NRL and experienced life down there so Wigan need to approach him about coming back.

Justin Carney is ideal if Burgess not willing to return. Carney can be given a 2-3 year contract by which time he will be 30/31 and probably released whilst an academy product will be developed enough to step up to the first team.

I would if Paul Deacon had anything to do with this.

I understand he now works for Sale and it's his job to do what he can for Sale, but I openly admit it's a bitter pill to swallow when ex league players/coaches move to union and do what they can to 'tap up' league talent.

Who we replace Josh with is key. I think the criticism of him is rather unwarranted. In comparable seasons (e.g. not when injured) he has outscored Burgess and Manfredi and he is better defensively than either. He is only 24 now and to be publicly slated by his coach when others weren't much better would affect my confidence and if other offers came along would make me take a look even if prior to this I wasn't considering a move. You won't see Wane criticise certain players at all never mind in public so I think that was very poor from Wane and would not inspire loyalty.

As to the salary cap, that is an easy excuse to make but as others have said other clubs don't seem to have the same issue with player retention so I'd love to know what motivates players at other clubs to stay whereas ours seem to form a queue to leave. It's not realistic to suggest only Wigan ever get looked at as a source of talent.

On past form we'd replace Josh by a young player from the academy but unless Wigan have another Budgie hidden away going that route would make us weaker next season. I'd also be very surprised to see Budgie back. He's only just left and hasn't given it a go yet.

Carney isn't as good but then he's probably good enough in a competition that gets worse in terms of quality as time goes by.

He signed a 4 year deal just before Christmas.

So you could ask for a decent fee then?

3/4/5 year contracts don't mean anything else these days.

If he asks to go (e.g. If one of the top 4 interested him), there's not a lot that the club can do to dissuade him.

If this was this time last year i woudl have been more concerned but since then both gilldart and manfredi have done very well

This is why this is being announced this early its lets the agents know we are in the market as if what the chirman said was true they must have some space palnned

Charnley is showing some good form right now but I'm not sure how much improvement there is left in him. It's disappointing to see him go but there is definitely potential to sign someone better. My worry is that Wane will go for Justin Carney. He's certainly a battering ram of a player and a great finisher who can be devastating on his day, but he has too many negatives for my liking. He's a loose cannon at times, prone to stupid errors, can be very inconsistent and can also be caught out by pacey players with good footwork. He definitely seems like the sort of player Shaun Wane would love though since he likes his wingers to play like extra forwards.

Tom Johnstone certainly looks like an excellent prospect and I'd hope that Wigan are at least making enquiries. His age might be a negative in what is already a young squad but does that matter too much with wingers? I think Denny Solomona would be a good signing and he impresses me every time I see him play on the wing.

I also think a shrewd signing would be Ken Sio. I think he's incredibly underrated and is struggling to really show what he is capable of at Hull KR. I reckon he would be an excellent replacement for Charnley.

Lets not forget Jamie Foster is also available. Released without further contract from Huddersfield once his one month loan spell expired.

He'd certainly solve our kick conversion problem!

You can't be a Warriors fan if you seriously want Wigan to sign Foster?
He's a turnstile in defence and I'm glad that we got shut of him as he clearly wasn't good enough for us or SL

Think he's just winding folk up.

I think Justin Carney would be a good signing, as long as he wears a chastity belt.

Would be more than happy with Carney as a Charnley replacement- havent forgotten how he had Josh in his back pocket at Wheldon Road last season. Best of luck to Josh - 7 years of 1st team service and he is seeing out his contract- there should be no qualms from Wigan fans.

As for Sarginson, he has talent but still ranks under the 'potential' banner for me. I cant see him cracking the NRL at this stage but best of luck to him.

He's young enough to have a good crack at it but deep down I can see him signing for Salford for the 2018 season.

Lets hope Charnley finishes his Wigan career more like Pat Richards than Brian Carney.

Sarge hasnt reached his p[otential at Wigan so maybe the move will see him reach it,i can't see it but i hope im wrong.

Have to get someone to replace Josh,Carney will do faults and all and hopefully Burgess will return in a couple of years certainly wont be before that surely?

If Sarginson is good enough for the NRL, then Tom Johnstone might as well just miss Wigan out and go straight to Australia. The lad is something special.

He isn't. The only three people who don't seem to realise that are him, his agent and the Gold Coast chairman.