I'd be very dissapointed to see Fielden go now just as he's found some really good, consistant form and he looks like he really belongs in this side. We've signed Lima and Hoffman to 'add' to the current pack and that means that we need guys like Coley and Fielden to stick around or else I could still see us being a prop light especially in case of injury.

As for somebody like Ennis I just can't see it and theres no way i'd want him at the expense of Fielden but if Roberts were to leave I could see the logic in it.

The hooking position is one that concerns me at the moment for 2011, given the way our team seems to be shaping up.

I am not too confident about MM and TL being able to provide the best platform form 9. I have seen nothing at the moment to suggest there is any substance to the Ennis rumour though apart from very dubious "mate down the pub talk".

I feel we can hide a weak link in certain positions but I do not think you can hide a weak link at 9, its one of if not the most important position on the pitch.

Fielden I have a massive amount of respect for and if 1 player has to make way for a 9 then I too would hope it is Amos despite his amassing early season form.

I do not buy into the Fielden has been a top notch signing etc, but I do think he has gone through the mill and was badly let down by our previous coaching teams especially regards his conditioning, which had a major impact on what probably should have been his finest years. His mental strength to continue to put the work in, in defence despite getting smashed around in attack must be huge.

If it has to be Fielden to go then I am happy though to see him leave IF we can bring in a top class 9. I do think though it would be a huge error to let both Coley and Fielden go at the same time. Of the 2 i would prefer Coley to remain, but 1 thing is certain for me that 1 at least must be at Wigan in 2011.

Although Roberts would be my first choice to make way for a 9, despite the rumours he is under contract and so assuming he does stay a team -

Tomkins
Richards
Gleeson
Carmont
Roberts

Finch
TL

Coley
top class 9
Prescott

Hoffman
Tomkins
Locky

Lima
Mossop/Farrell/O'Barrell/Tuson/Davies - with Hock to return in July to cover the prop role
MM
Hansen

If Fielden were to go I think we could more than easily run with from July onwards Lima, Coley, Hock and Presscott/Mossop as our front 4 without struggling too much prior to that

In an ideal world:

1. Sam Tomkins
2. Amos Roberts
3. Martin Gleeson
4. George Carmont
5. Pat Richards
6. Brett Finch
7. Thomas Leuluai
8. Stuart Fielden
9. Michael Ennis
10. Andy Coley
11. Ryan Hoffman
12. Joel Tomkins
13. Sean O'loughlin

----------------------------------
14. Michael McIlorum
15. Jeff Lima
16. Lee Mossop/Paul Prescott/Eamon O'carroll
17. Harrison Hansen/Liam Farrell/Chris Tuson


Then mid-season Gareth Hock returns.

Awesome team.

In an ideal world but I really cannot see us accommodating a top class hooker under the cap without losing a big earner like Roberts or Fielden.

I don't think that can happen but I would be prepared to lose Fielden or Carmont for a top class 9.

We're just going to have to trust Maguire and Wane's judgement on whether we can afford to lose Fielden without replacement.

A lot depends on Hoffman and Mossop: if one or both can bulk up sufficiently and be ready to play prop for the full season then fair enough but if not, we can't afford to let Fielden go, or else we're in no better situation than this year, and we're all aware we've been a prop short this season.

These Ennis rumours seem to have been created and spread on this thread to be honest, I just don't see a lot of truth in it. If Roberts goes then we should be looking to replace him with a hooker, if he doesn't, then Sam plays in the halves and we're going to have to run with Micky Mac and Tommy hooking, though I admit that means we'd be a lot weaker at 9 than we are this season.


Talk about off loading Carmont is a non-starter for me as well. Primarily because I don't see why we'd want to let him go? Yes, Charnley has impressed at KR but I'd be much happier for him to learn from Carmont and Gleeson for another year, combined with another loan spell possibly, and to ease him into first team experience at Wigan, and then all being well give him the number 4 jersey when Carmont's contract is up at the end of next season.

Isn't Goulding in front of Charnley for the 4 shirt?
Surely when Carmont goes DG would get the 4 shirt and Charnley start his first team experience at Wigan on the right wing.
I'd prefer it that way and hope it goes that way for them both.
If Gleeson is to miss the Hudds game then maybe Goulding will go to 3 and Charnley play his wingman.
Perhaps that's the delay in fixing up a further loan spell at HKR for Josh!

I'll ask the same question i've asked lots of times.

Assuming for a moment we have Ennis at 9.

Ennis can =#FF0000happily play 80 minutes.

Why do you all list McIlorum on the bench?

Or do you play Ennis for less minutes than he's perfectly capable of, just to avoid making a tough call over McIlorum's future?

We lose fielden were in the same boat as this year..a top prop short.

Agreed.

If Fielden goes we need to replace him. It's a shame Langley has resigned for the Bull's, he'd have been a great replacement for Stu.

Just for the record I don't think he will leave us. Having watched his interview after the Leeds game and the way he spoke about the club he seemed to be really enjoying it.

It's a difficult one. I'm not convinved Goulding will make it as a top class centre in all honesty. I suppose it's going to take Super League game time on the wing to find out, but that's a risk for us.



We won't get rid of McIlorum to accommodate Ennis in the team, that would be drastically short sighted.

McIlorum is still learning, and I don't see why he can't develop into a top class 9 in the years to come.

Sam
Goulding
Gleeson
Carmont
Richards
Finch
Tommy
Fielden
Ennis
Coley
Hoffman
Joel
O'Louglin

Hansen/Mossop
Macca
Lima
Prescott/Eamon/Davies

with Gareth Hock back half way through

I couldnt see that side losing many games next year, if we avoid injuries.

I've always been a fan of just having one hooker (assuming he's fit enough) to play 80 mins. The extra bench spot that creates can be crucial.

I think a lot of people are underestimating McIlorum, though, and he's certainly an 80-min player.

The only problem with Mickey Mac (and I've been one who has always fought his corner, ask the Saints fans) is his injury record. If he can get himself fully fit he could easily be an eighty minute hooker, but I have this horrible feeling that he is never going to recover from that back problem

I would not be happy with Goulding in the centre, ever to be honest. It simply has not worked for him. He is going a good job on the wing and while not being an outstanding player is doing everything asked of him.

Charnley seems to be able to make the difference thus far, although lets be fair it is only very early in his career, but in truth I have yet to see Goulding perform at centre to the same standard Charnley already has at SL level.

I do not personally Goulding can be an integral part of the backline that a centre has to be in a team wanting to be top of the tree. I can however see him on the wing in a team with realistic aspirations of being the champions.

Charnley is showing real potential, and without getting carried away I believe from what I have seen of him at Sl level that there MAY be a future for him as a centre, and hence he should be used there as our first back up.

Was told today that Prescott is out for the rest of the season as he has damaged his eye again. Dont know how true, but was told its a detached retina again.

Goulding hasn't played centre under Madge, so there's no way of knowing that. To judge him on previous seasons, as with any other player, would be unfair.

Looks like O'Carroll's coming back to fitness at the right time then if that's the case.

Yes he has. Against Hull FC at home, he had a good game there and scored 2 tries.

I understand where you are coming from but all our players that have performed so far this year were clearly underachieving under Noble, they always had the game they were just not used or prepared correctly. I do not think Goulding has the vision or hands to play centre in a top team and I do not think he has the ability to add these regardless of coaching. I hope he proves me wrong but I feel his future is on the wing not at centre.

www./news_4087-lan ... -deal.html Langley 3 year contract with the bulls. Scrub another name off.

www./news_4087-lan ... -deal.html Langley 3 year contract with the bulls. Scrub another name off.

come on guys be serious, Michael Ennis will not be playing in a Wigan jersey in the foreseeable future.

He was actually close last time to signing for us but wanted more money than what Piggy wanted so IL went for the cheaper option. Ennis was 1st choice to bring in when he left the Broncos but asked for more money, I would love to see him here, it would stare up some interesting battles if he ever did. Definitely in my top 5 favourite NRL players, very niggly hooker but has a great creative game. I would have to say the chances are slim though sadly.

all this talk of Fielden moving on and no replacement

Can anyone else see Hansen moving to prop? every off season he has put on more bulk and I would like to see him given a go.

ps awesome try he scored against Leeds, how many other second rowers would have the pace to outrun Webb et al?

Ah yeah, forgot that one.