I have heard that we are not signing anyone next year

I can believe that. And as long as key individuals stay on for next year, I'll be fine with the decision.

Ben Cross is on his way for the rest of the season. I can only hope its the Ben Cross of 2 years ago and not the one from 2months ago

I also wouldnt be too fussed with that. The hardest thing to do is to persuade Hoffman and Carmont to stay on for another year as it looks increasingly likely that Deacon and Coley will retire.

Coley
Deacon
Hoffman

Maybe George leaving,,,, cant see us not bringing anyone in

If Carmont and Deacon stay I'm fine with that. We wouldn't need anybody in that case - we'd be signing players for the sake of it. If an opportunity to go after someone exceptional came up go for it but otherwise we're fine.

Agreed.

Coley and Hoffman seem nailed on to go. Hock and Cross will replace them potentially depending how Cross goes with us. I still think we may well sign a centre even if we retain George.

I think Wigan are only weak in the centres, JTomkins does a job but he's a forward.

Possibly a hooker, unless the wife starts to put out.

A decent 9 and Rangi Chase please Mr Lenigan.

I thought he and Tommy were electric against England - would be an excellent pairing if Finch goes.

So just Chase then as we'd have Tommy and Mickey Mac at hooker?

i think poster is suggesting playing tommy in the halves, so we'd still need a bench hooker, as we dont have sufficient cover in the ranks yet.

Or we could have Chase and Leuluai in the halves. I reckon that partnership could tear England appart



Seriously though, Chase and Leuluai are similar players we don't really need both. I used to think that Chase only looked so good because he was in an average team but after his performance in the Exiles game its clear he can do it against the best players around, he is probably a better player than Leuluai but Tommy saves his best for the big games and is far better in defence.

We don't need a half-back, if we did, Dobson and Chase would be the first players on the radar (looking to aus now their SC will be going up is just unrealistic).

Finch said in a SKY interview that he will be here next year.

If Coley and Deacs retire then Cross and Mellor will replace them.
I reckon George will stay.
Hoffman may well go back to Melbourne and Gaz Hock will take his place.

The halves partnership of Finch and Deacs is working very well as is Tommy and MicMac at 9. Mcguire will keep those going and if Mellor comes in next year then the new coach could just let him slot in with Finchy.

A right centre is an obvious place for a signing but where would we get one from? Should Cross come in and Hoffman stay then the overseas quota is full.
If Hoffman goes then it will take a lot now to get a top quality centre over here unless he's over 30. We could very well see Joel at 3 next year.

Eddie and Stevo could tear England apart with McNamara in charge

I don't understand why people think Joe Mellor can be a starting half back next year after no super league appearances..

same as how people reckon that certain young props will be capable of replacing Coley without any SL experience

Look at Gaskell at Saints. Very inexperienced before this season, yet through injury to key personnel at Saints he's been given a chance and he's done a fine job IMO. Even more so when you consider he's been partnered with Lomax.

Mellor would be fortunate that he'd be playing along side Finch. One of the most experienced halfbacks in the comp, to guide him through his first full season in SL.

Gaskell's been good but look at his performances against us and Warrington. He's only there now because Eastmond's too busy creaming over his potential bank balance next year and Pryce is injured, Pryce will be back soon and Gaskell will be back in the reserves.

I just don't like the idea of throwing a kid in at the deep end and hoping he'll do the business. If Deacon can do another year and we can ease Mellor in like we did with Sam that would be a better idea IMO

he has to start sometime

although I believe a full SL year at widnes is best option for him

according to some on here that was a mistake, and sam should have been playing every game along time before he did.

FWIW i would like to see mellor getting some game time.

Its a challenging situation really. If the coaching staff think that Mellor is good enough then he has to replace Deacon next year, otherwise we have to bring someone in a Mellor doesnt get his chance until Finch leaves.

Depends on who the coach is gonna be tho? Of it's Wane he'll have an idea of Mellor but if not we would need a replacement in the halves. Centre has to be top priority even if George stays another year.

NRL rumours currently suggest that Chris Heighington (who has been immense this season) has been told by the Tigers he can leave for an SL team, as they look to sign Blair.

I was thinking that if the Hoff returning to Melbourne is dependant on Blair going to the Tigers, then a bid for CH would make sense - every one is a winner.

Wests get Blair, Storm get Hoff and we get ourselves an experienced NRL forward capable of playing anywhere in the pack and who wouldn't use up a quota spot.

Thoughts?

He is going to Leeds

Maybe he saw Boots 'n' All last night and has now changed his mind.