James Graham, Cheyse Blair

Graham has allegedly already signed for St George, just hasn’t been announced yet.

was a wish more than anything, you can just see how livid the saints fans would be if it happened, be like Gary Connolly all over again

It would be worth it even if he never played a game for us, just to watch redvee meltdown!

The days of Wigan getting the cheque book out are a distant memory I am afraid. Those were the days when even the likes of Wally Lewis playing in the cherry & white was a distinct possibility.

IMHO our chairman won't spend to increase the quality of the squad. And far too many of our fans will accept mediocrity because they equate winning trophies with having high quality players/club. Even though most of this season we have been producing embarassing dross. There is a voting thread at the moment that a boring win is the be all and end all for Wigan. Sorry not for me. Brought up on Wigan; the best club in the world.

What a load of rubbish! Our chairman puts a hell of a lot of his personal money into the club. How do you think we financed the 2 x marquee players? The meltdown on here would have been unbearable if he'd allowed Tomkins or Williams to be signed at Warrington or Saints! We have both because of our chairman!

yet we are the only team with a marquee... but in fact have 2, who do you think is paying their salaries?

Let's look at our weaknesses and address them. We are desperately in need of a half and a prop.

Can't really understand the Hoffman signing (assuming he does return). He is and has been a very good player but it isn't like we are light in the back row.

I expected a big game from FPN yesterday but it didn't happen and I don't think his performances in the main have been up to standard.

Tommy, I'm so disappointed by. Last year he was great at NZ Warriors but for whatever reason it just hasn't happened.

I'm also hoping for a major shake up with the coaching staff.

I'm very much a 'glass half full' fan but the last 2 seasons have shown glaring holes that need to be filled. I was delighted when Smith left and TL came back and at the start of the season, he guided us around very well which let Williams to wreak havoc. He was unplayable at times but for some reason after TL came back from his injury the spark just isn't there. I'm sure they both have it in them still but it isn't firing.
Tomkins is a different player to the one who left but for me is still a key figure in our future. FB or HB I'm not sure. What yesterday showed was that a great kicking game can win big games. Hull kicked us off the park and Brough has done time and time again for Huddersfield. Our kicking by game is poor and I'm not sure moving ST to the halves addresses that.
The forwards are clearly playing to instructions. We play 'back sets' far too often for my liking and I'd like to see our big lads run hard and straight out of our half. Will a new prop do that? Not if they're instructed to leave it to the backs.
I don't know what the answer is but we're really not far off. With the squad we have and the potential we have we could be on the verge of a really dominant few years but we just need something to click. As I say, I can't put my finger on it but a better kicking game would certainly give us an extra few percent.

Very good post. I think the answer lies at coaching level. Wane either needs a replacement for Harris/Deacon or needs replacing himself. I think we are in need of a change of Head coach with Wane either leaving if he wishes to continue his coaching career or moving upstairs into 'head of youth development' or something similar. I think any coach, however good or bad has a limited life as head coach at a single club and for me Wane is reaching the end of his time.

Has anyone heard we are in for the Sutcliffe lad from Leeds. He can play 13 and is a goal kicker.

Personally I would be dipping in to welsh union to sign Botica. He could play centre and is a good goal kicker

I haven't heard anything about Sutcliffe but I'd take that all day long. A back 3 of Faz, Bateman and Sutcliffe after Lockers hangs up his boots (I dread that day) is probably as good as we could ask for.
I'm not sure about bringing in a RU player unless it was Farrell. I think Gildart is one we really need to keep and I'm a Gelling fan. I think we have more pressing needs than replacing a centre.

I'd take Sutcliffe too, certainly would be an improvement in quality...either George Ford or Owen Farrell would be welcome anyday, both would be a breath of fresh air to the game of RL.

Sutcliffe was mentioned earlier in the season.

He's got some talent Sutcliffe but he'd be down my list of priorities. I'm bored of saying it and thinking it every time I see us play but we're desperate for a scrum half who can kick us in to good field position. If that means we need to make tough calls and put Tommy in to retirement or even let a lad like Sam Powell go then so be it.

I'd rather let Mcilorum go then Powell.

I don't think signing Sutcliffe would limit our chances of getting a new 7...i'd take a chance on Ryan Brierley, or even testing Warringtons resolve with Dec Patton but that is just an idea



I'd be happy with Gelling, FPN, Micky Mc and Tommy L departing...

I'd get rid of both.

Neither are good enough ball distributors from the ruck, but... they're in the boys club so are going nowhere.

Patton could add what we need but is inexperienced but Brierkey is just a total no go for me. He is everything we don't need in a half and a pairing of him and Williams would be even less balanced then his pairing with Leuluai.

We'd probably have to go overseas for a halfback with the skills we require. The only viable option I can think of over here is Danny Brough. He's obviously not got long left but I still wouldn't be against a punt on him for a year or two. His kicking game is as good as ever and there's no doubt in my mind he'd be an improvement on what we're running with at the minute.

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I agree with the inexperience factor for Paton but if we were to go for a young scrum half, I'd prefer Jordan Lilley to Paton. Let's not forget Shorrocks is air apparent for the 7 jersey.

Lilley signed a new deal at Leeds about a month ago. Nothing announced regarding Sutcliffe though + I noticed Williams + Burgess being abit pally with him after the game at HQ recently. Could be a done deal.

Brough has the skills but he seems to lack self control, 3 yellow cards so far this season and 7th most penalised player in the league (he has given away more penalties than any Wigan player). I can't see that improving at a club with the increased pressure of larger crowds, regular finals/knock out games/Saints derbys, and extremely critical spectators. Probably a moot point anyway, as I'm guessing he would have signed for one of the top sides long ago if he was going to, surely he will have had offers.

I don't think we need to sign a 7. Sam to the halves and Escare at fullback next year would be our best option. Leuluai to hooker or retire. What we need is a utility back ala Sarginson to cover injuries, we have really missed that this year having to play tierney at fullback during our long run of losses.

Also when are the recruitment staff going to sign a decent prop? We have been gagging for one for as long as I can remember and the stats from FPN and Clubb in the cup final (something like 60 meters BETWEEN them) is an embarrassment. I am a huge fan of Clubb but that is a massive let down especially in a cup final.

Jerome Guisset coming over to the UK looking for a gig. Not sure he is a good fit for us though.

Isn't he long retired and now on the Catalans coaching staff?