Skuse is 30 i cant see us even entertaining the idea.

Out:
Riddell
Feka
Bailey
Ainscough
Deacon
Phelps
Howarth
Vievers
Thornley
Fielden?

In:
Lima
Finch
Hoffman

Thinking about it today and now looking at the above there's going to be quite a turn over of players next year at the club.

In truth only the 2 highlighted have made a real impact on our season although players like Phelps, Feka, Bailey and Deacon have all played less significant roles.

the 3 players coming in more than make up those that have left but I expect at least 1 more high profile signing and a continuation of the production line will see more players to fill the hole in the 20's left by the other players.

Excellent news. Our backline for next season looks excellent. The only aspect we've been critical of this season as supporters is our kicking game and sometimes lack of killer instinct & so Brett Finch has an important role to play in amending that area. I also think in certain games this season we've missed Amos Roberts. His offload to set Sam Tomkins off against Hull KR is just one example.

Amos Roberts
Darrell Goulding, Martin Gleeson, George Carmont, Pat Richards
Sam Tomkins, Brett Finch

Not many backlines are going to top that in Super League.

The forward pack has been missing two experienced players. Too much pressure has been put on Andy Coley and Stuart Fielden with Feka Paleaasina taking a few months to get up to match fitness. Having a third experienced professional in Jeff Lima just takes a bit of the weight from Fielden and Coley. Paul Prescott and Eamon O'carroll have been adequate this season, but neither look like making it as a top prop forward. I have more faith in O'carroll than I do Prescott. Ben Davies looks a little out of his depth in the few games he has played, but has been excellent at Widnes. The experience will have done him good, but he's still another year off at least.

In the second row we've seen Joel Tomkins establish himself as a senior leader, which is important given the departure of Phil Bailey. However he still only 23, Harrison Hansen is 24, Lee Mossop is 21 with Liam Farrell/Chris Tuson both only being 20. That next season would have been a very young pack. So the addition of Ryan Hoffman just brings a bit of leadership & direction to help out some of the young lads. He will have been brought over here to fill in the spot vacated by Bailey and hopefully bring along the young back rowers we have here at the club. By the end of his expected departure these lads will be two years older, which is a massive difference IMO.

The only area that I could see potential problems for us is at hooker. I rate both McIlorum and Leuluai. However, McIlorum has been crippled with injuries throughout his Wigan career, which has stalled his development. When he gets a run of games together he looks fantastic and produces some excellent displays that remind us why we brought him over from Yorkshire. Hopefully he can keep himself fit for the season. Thomas Leuluai I rate at hooker. He has shown better form at halfback this season, but still lacks a long kicking game. I don't think he is capable of starting matches and directing our forwards around in the early exchanges, but from the bench I think his footwork and pace could cause teams problems. I just wonder how long it will take him to adapt to the role full time. It's a specialist role after all. His defence is excellent, but I just hope he learns to add some direction and organisation to the team that Mark Riddell brings. In terms of cover if either get injured I think we are in a lot of trouble.

Fielden McIlorum Coley
Hoffman Tomkins
O'loughlin

Jeff Lima
Thomas Leuluai
Harrison Hansen
Paul Prescott/Lee Mossop

After all is said and done, it is still an excellent team we have next season & one that is much better than the one we've seen this season, which is scary when you think we've been the best team after 27 rounds and wrapped the league up a week early!

whats your opinion on fieldon leaving? just rumour or more?

Unsure. He could be trying to force Wigan's hand to improve their offer, as he was supposedly very happy here. But these days Wigan won't be coerced into paying a player more than they consider him to be worth. That doesn't mean, of course, that they won't prove to be a little bit flexible.

Not sure. There could be something in it.

If he has any desire left for the game - He will stay at Wigan.
If all he's after is the coin and then wants out - He will leave.

Turnaround?

unless the clubs have given palyers permission to talk to other clubs

Well i cant understand why we would give Fielden permission to talk to other clubs yet when we want him to stay.

Chev Walker to Bradford.

ususally to see if they can get better offers, which it seems fielden would get at hull

But if Wigan do want to keep Fielden then why would we let him see if he can get a better offer elsewhere?

Fielden after the coin?

surely not!

it was the only reason he came to us, so why not?

I guess because if he's rejected our top offer, then we're going to lose him come what may at the end of the season. Presumably the club feel he's more likely to keep playing well for the rest of this term if we let him secure his future elsewhere. A sulky Stu Fielden would be no use to anyone.

Not d how much hes currently on or how much he wants on his new contract... recently hes been getting 60-70 mins game time and at times been the best player on the field for us. He's worth two props in my opinion. If we are having to get rid of players then let O'Carrol and Prescott go.

That's a bit short-sighted IMO. Fielden turns 31 next month. He won't be able to do 30 minute spells for much longer, and certainly not for every game in a full season

i dont think its a case of just having to off load players to keep stu, its more due to the length of the contract, he wants security for the next two years, hull have apparently offerd him this and we have apparently offered 1+1 , suppose its also down to the terms of the deal from wigan, I.E is it like the deals previously offered to George C with regardss to the number of games he plays etc, which if it is like that for Stu i cant see him failing to get a second year from it. I guess no-one really knows apart from stu and the clubs involved.

IMO get him signed for two years and have done with it MR Lenagan, [iplease[/i

Didn't think of that, good point. I'd rather let him sign for someone else and help us do well in the playoffs and win the Grand Final than him be less of a player for the rest of the season.

Stu really has been on top form as of late, especially when compensating for Madge's tactics. Both Stu and Coley do a hell of a lot of work when you only have Feka fit for 15 min spells and a young prop (Davies) only being given 5 mins at the close of the game.

I'd love to see both Prescott and O'Carroll back for the Bradford game to give them some match sharpness before the play offs. It would seem that they'll both fight it out with Feka for 2 bench spots for that first play off game and it would be nice to have some options.

I agree. and I also would like to see Davies to be on the pitch long enough to get stuck in at SL level.

In terms of signing players I would like to see another half or FB to sign. I personally thought Roberts' best position was as a 1 but if thats not going to work then Sam is the man for the job. If that's going to happen then a new partner for the arriving Finch surely is needed.

My team for next year (without any more signings)

Roberts
Goulding Gleeson, Carmont Richards
Tomkins Finch
Fielden Tommy Lima
Hoffman Tomkins
Lockers
--------------------
Hansen (as a prop)
Coley/Hock (as a prop)
McM
Mossop

Mossop's more of a prop that H is.