Charnley left Wigan and League because he wanted to spend more time on the farm and less time training, he was offered a big paycheck with less training time to go to union, he is not coming back to league

We certainly need another centre. There's no competition, we have really 2, Gelling and Gildart. Neither are world beaters to say the least. One is little more than a kid and the other has moment of excellence and moments of madness.

In light of Charnley, I'd sooner look to another ex Wigan player, Dan Sarg. He's a better FB than Escare and would increase competition for places in the centre.

Personally Ratchford is someone I've always wanted at Wigan, he'd still be a good signing for us, can play anywhere from 1-7 and fill in at 9.

But I agree, a 7 is a must. Personally, with no exaggeration, I honestly believe Tommy is the worse 7 in SL.

1. Escare
6. Williams
7. S.Tomkins

Get Sam controlling that right edge where he was previously devastating when chiming into the line, plus I think Sam can organise better than Leuluai

I reckon we have the best centre pairing in the league. Cover would be nice ideally because Forsyth and Higginson are both very inexperienced, but I'm more than happy with Gelling and Gildart as starters. Would be very surprised if we had the cap space to bring Sarg in, and again, not really a priority when we are crying out for a half back and prop.

My point of signing Ratch or Sarg does effect recruitment in the halves though and cover the centres, that's the point mate.

We do need a 7 I agree, but arguably we have more depth in the halves and defo in the props than in in the centres.

I can't agree about our centres, lots better out there. Plus, as you pointed out, there's no depth, we have 2 for 2 positions, which was my point.

Signing a Sarg or a Ratchford does impact on the the halves. Move either to FB and you free up Sam. Plus they off depth to cover weaker areas.

We also have Forsyth, and Bateman is currently playing centre for England at the World Cup.

As starters, like Grimmy, I am more than happy with Gelling and Gildart. Gelling had a poor year overall, but still has the capacity to be a good player. Gildart is class already and is only improving.

Bateman isn't competing for a centre spot, he doesn't add competition for places in the centres. He's a starting SR.

There's no depth there. Ratchford or Sarg would add a player who could add genuine depth and cover a number of positions to a good standard.

Agreed, but Im definitely bored of us re-signing players. Thats why I wouldn't want to get Sarge, Charnley or any other of our previous players (barring Blake Green), as I want to see new faces in the team.

Well said totally agree.

We’ve got a 7 already - Tomkins.

Escare to be given the #1 jersey, Tomkins up to 7 and TL ushered out as a utility man to cover HB’s or hooker.

think it will be the same other wise the club will have admitted they have made a mistake in recruitment

Going to some annoyed folk on here come new kit/squad numbers time...

1 Sam T, 6 Williams, 7 Tommy L and 9 Micky Mc

There will be no wholesale changes...

If there’s anything we’ve learned over the last few years it’s that the numbers are largely irrelevant. Players get hurt, another number plays the position. I’ll not lose any sleep over squad numbers.

I doubt anyone realistically expects any (hopes maybe...) - Wane is nothing if not consistent and will stick with the same players in the same positions regardless of results and performances.

True that. We can talk all we want about who we want in certain positions but ultimately I think we all know it'll be Tomkins at fullback and Leuluai in the halves. I've noticed Phil Wilkinson mention Escare as a bench option on a few occasions as though he's been dropped a hint. I sense we may see him coming on in games with a reshuffle of Tomkins in to the halves and Tommy in to hooker.

All we can hope is Sam and the rest of the lads in now get through pre season ok and the World Cup lads come back in one piece. If they do then hopefully we'll be able to build some momentum.

Does anyone remember the 2013 Challenge Cup game at HKR. Wigan were really struggling after Rovers decided to "mix it" and Paterson took Blake Green out of the game with a late tackle.

After about 30 minutes Wane moved Sam Tomkins into the half backs and he tore Rovers apart. I think he score three or four tries to turn the game into a comfortable Wigan victory.

I hope that's still in his memory bank.

I remember that quite well. Tomkins was outstanding in the halves that day. I genuinely can’t see a reason not to have Escare at the back and Tomkins back in the halves, IMHO it’ll be utterly ludicrous to have it any other way.

Shaun Wane will be the reason why you won't see this happen especially if he knows its the fans that are wanting it.

He did it back in 2013, why would he not want to at least give it a try next year?

He'll probably have to try it in pre season with Leuluai and McIlorum away (and not joining up with the squad until late doors) so all we can hope is that it works and forces his hand.

If we go along the lines of giving a short number out based on how they perform, give Davies and Gelling squad numbers 8 & 10 respectively with our props being given the warriors fans shirt, seeing as they do little else when on the field.

We have too many players not performing and put it all down to Wane and his drab and somewhat odd game plan. Have props who don't take the ball in, wingers who do the props job, and 7 and 9 who offer no creativity at all, but hey they can put shot in so they'll do for Wane.

Drab it may be but it is no different from the majority of NRL teams. Why is that odd?

And four of England's to five metre makers are Jermaine McGillvary, Ryan Hall, John Bateman and Kallum Watkins

When I think back to last season we started really well, we were strong defensively and fluid in attack. Once the injuries kicked in I don’t know if Wane changed the game plan to compensate, whether we lost confidence or it was just the numbers missing but we never got that form back.

I don’t know whether to fear the worst for this year or to be cautiously optimistic. I’m genuinely intrigued to see how the team plays.

It is really exhilarating to watch and is the only way to play


Don't know about anyone else but after 20 minutes of the Lebanon game I had effectively stopped watching as it was pretty painful to watch.
Coaches are absolutely killing the game