But why would it make sense to play an out of form fullback in the place of a very much in form fullback in Sam Tomkins just to move him to 6, rather than give an opportunity to one of two in form young halfbacks?

We are Wigan, we can do better than Amos Roberts at 1, 'needs must' isn't a term we should be using, that's a term for the wakefields/harlequins of this world

I know, people seem to be panicking that we havent anounced any signings yet. Last I checked the season starts next February. I'm sure once the season is over Ian Lenegan will have something up his sleeve for us!

There's also the possibility of giving Matty Russell a few games at fullback next year. He has electric pace and beats a man as easily as Sam Tomkins.

Then just behind them straight from the U16's is stand off Ryan Hampshire who has scored five tries and sixteen goals in his six appearances for the U18's late in the season.

Quite a lot of people on here discussing nearly all options for what to do with the 6&7 situation, but before we go crazy with random combos lets look at what currently works and what we have.

Tomkins as a FB or back to 6. We play split halves. At FB he has the freedom to join the line when and how he likes, he's not part of the main structure of attack. He's moved on and has become one of the leading FB in the world. Keep him there when he is so good as a modern day FB.

Pace in the halves? Yes it is better to have, but does anyone watch the NRL? Brisbane operate with little pace in the halves with Lockyer and Wallace, it's about team structure, I feel this of Manly as well.
For this you just need an excellent linking FB (Tomkins Hoffman (Brisbane) Stewart (Manly) and fast backs.
So pace isn't always the game breaker.

Mellor? I'm disappointed with the Wigan set up, for me he should have had a bench spot at times and been eased into the team resting Deacon and giving him experience, if this would have happened and he would have proven to be successful this thread wouldn't even exist.
As it stands he's not ready, no first team experience in the halves isn't good enough, he's not yet a SL player. Too risky for his own development and for the success of the team.

Roberts? Sorry best thing to do is neg a release on his contract to free up some cash. Why he is even being suggested as a 1 or 6 is beyond me. We've moved on and so should he.

The idea of Rangi at Wigan is fantastic, best 6 in British rugby (both codes) Neg for a deal with Cas and grt him to partner Finch, break the bank for a player who is worth it, if not look overseas, bring someone new in who can offer something different give Mellor half the season out on loan then recall him to take Finch's place at the start of 2013.


Tomkins
Charnley Tomkins Carmont Richards
Chase/Carney Finch
Fielden Tommy Lima
Faz Hansen
Lockers
-----------
Mossop (prop)
Hock (prop)
Luaki
McM

For me this time has other issues as well as the 6/7. I'm also unhappy with the hooking role, especially considering Tommy is more than likely off to the NRL at the end of this season. McM is not good enough.

I'd be quite happy with that, though I'd have Prescott on the bench in place of Lauaki and use Hock as a second rower.

Still not sure how likely either Chase or Carney would be but either would be a massive improvement. My only issue with Carney (apart from the obvious off-field issues) would be at the end of next season we could lose our first choice 6,7 and 9 if he only stays for one year and Finch and Tommy leave, which would cause massive disruption and be incredibly difficult to replace each of them, especially with that coinciding with the NRL salary cap raise. We'd have to make sure that the youngsters were ready to step up!

Finch and Mellor

If Carney only did a year we have the option to let Mellor replace him for the 2013 season.
If there is one aspect I'm critical of it's the progression of Mellor and other youngsters namely Russell.

Maybe Mellor's injury is the reason why we've not seen him on loan at another SL club, perhaps building him back up at Widnes is a 'safer' option with his development.

Yeh, I appreciate that, Carney coming in for one season to help Mellor's progression could be seen as the perfect solution, if we weren't losing anyone else, but Tommy and Finch's contracts both end next year. What I'm saying is losing 3 experienced creative players at once would be incredibly difficult to replace.

I agree. Really (hopefully) the club has plans in order to counter the loses. Just when we start playing Tommy in his best position as well!

I hope we see Russell get some game time next year, alongside King hopefully.

What is Ryan King like defensively? I've heard he has pace to burn so attacking wise he isn't a problem. Next season I'd be tempted to try Sam in the halves for a few games, with either putting Pat or Amos at FB and bringing one of the youngsters on the wing.

It is but you tell me where the recruitment is coming from to mean we do not have do assemble a team from the current squad, in particular replace Deacon. As I keep saying I am basing my suggestion on the players we know we have available, not some pie in the sky notion of who we may sign or an unrealistic expectation that an U20's player will be able to handle the 6 job full time.

People are quick to criticise the suggestions but offer no realistic alternative.

Forgot about Goulding too! What's happening with him?

No, people are quick to [idisagree[/i with you (not criticise as you state) nor give unrealisitic opinions - yours is not the only opinion on here you know - others may well be just as correct.

Anyway so far [irealisitic[/i options have included,



Deacon staying another year and sharing 6 with a younger player (at present Deacon's status for next year is unknown).Deacon may even do 1 more year as full time 6 - this is still to be confirmed one way or another.

Putting a young player in at 6 and using other players to cover if this does not work out (lets see Lockers, Tommy have both played 6 and moving them there is no more unlikely than moving Sam to 6 as it still leaves a hole to be filled elsewhere) especially given that there has been no indication from the club/coaches that Sam is likely to be moved back to 6. Roberts' future at the club looks uncertain given that he seems to be very much out of favour so putting him back at 1 may, or may not, be unrealistic. Then again Roberts did pay 6 in the U20s quite a lot - perhaps he may be an option, it would seem strange to play him there unless he was being considered for the role.

It may be that Sam will switch between 1 and 6 and this will allow game time for a younger player(Roberts,Marsh,Goulding and Richards can cover FB and Wing) so there are options all over.


Signing a player, as we know from experience the IFL likes to play things very quietly - so there is every possibility of bringing someone (not necessarily a world class player but an experienced player perhaps) into the club.Realistic? Time will tell. Certainly rumours have been around of trying to sign Chase - so it could be this is a position being looked at.

Having Finch at 7 and Tommy at 9 adds a lot of experience around the team in and around the half back position so carrying an inexperienced player is not that big a risk - especially if there is backup.

TODD CARNEY !!!!!!!!!!!!
The sydney roosters have released todd carney a year early from his contract ???????? apparantly the catalans wanted him but didnt have room under their salary cap......so wigan have signed him as a replacement for deakin..watch this space !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Unrealistic. Deacon can't do another season.



Lockers or Tommy to 6 is also unrealistic far more so than Sam. Lockers is not a 6 and this is always a compromise. Tommy to 6 means McIllorum has to do the full 80 at hooker which this season has shown is unrealistic.



Playing Sam at 6 is a good idea

We then need to find a full back.



As I have said umpteen times my suggestions are based on our current squad and there are no signs we are signing a player so all you are doing here is ignoring what I said I was doing.



If Tommy remains at 9 the young player would have to be full time at 6. Unrealistic.

The bottom line is all your suggestions just confirm what I have been saying. The unrealistic options are: Deacon plays on, Lockers plays 6, a young player plays 6 full time, Tommy plays 6. Sign a player to solve the problem. Playing players out of position so we can blood a young player has consequences for the rest of the team so really there are only two sensible alternatives. Sign a half back or move Sam to 6.

Chase is the only decent half back we know of out of contract and that rumour looks cold. In contrast we have a full back in reserve and Sam can play 6. Very simple.

IL has just returned from Australia also, not beyond the realms of possibility he’s negotiated this whilst over there, not the first time i’ve heard it either.... here’s hoping!

But deakin is my favourite

Expected to join either NQ Cowboys or Catalans next year.

No way he'll get a UK visa, due to previous convictions.

I don't personally believe that the RFL should allow him to register for Catalans either, as this basically gives an unfair advantage to them over the British teams, just because the French government doesn't care what kind of convicts they allow in to their country.

Not that the RFL will stop them, as this would require 2 things:
1. A real decision
2. A pair of b.ll.cks

Lets be honest if we wanted him enough we could get him a visa

We'll just have to agree to disagree - time will tell!

I don't get the hype about Rangi Chase. A lot of hype for an average player playing in a position where there isn't an abundance of quality throughout the league. For me Sam stays at 1. FInch at 7 and tommy at 9 then 6 is shared by 2 of the younger lads. We did it with Sam before, Saints did it with Eastmond & Lomax, Leeds did it with..... well... We might just unveil another star if we give them a chance.

where is this abundance of quality throughout the league at 6 then? danny mcguire? kevin brown?

Re-read his post!