Oh go on, he'd make a pretty good squad player I suppose.

if we must take him , go on then .

We need at least 5 new players. We're a poor side really.

Adam youv'e done it again !!!!! got mixed up with the poorer side in the town

[urlhttp://www.wigantoday.net/sport/wigan-warriors/phelps_and_pryce_futures_to_be_decided_1_2030437[/url

I expect both to get 1 year deals, to keep the squad size in place, if the cap allows it.

Phelps for hooker, he's quick from the play the ball, he's elusive, he can set up try's he can pass and he can score, MM should give him a chance in the off season to see whether he would be ok in that position

I thought the same last night, i know people talk about a quota spot and all that, but unless there is someone better to take that spot, keep cam for me.

Always gives his best, and can play pretty much any position in the back line and hooker.

Well since it seems clear there's not exactly a massive bidding war for them, we should be able to get them for a nice low salary, so on that basis, why not?

Farrell doesn't have the passing game.

I hope we sign a new nine for next season but with the three we signed plus gaz coming back we can't be to greedy

There's a reason no-one wants them - they're rubbish.

Any game time for Phelps/Pryce would be better served going to Josh Charnley/Stefan Marsh etc and using their wages to keep these young lads tied to the club & away from rugby yawnion.

I would be stunned if either was given a new contract. That could comeback to bite me on the backside, but I'm only being honest.

Plenty game time went to Marsh last season even though both Pryce and Phelps were already here, and Charnley, when he came, was slotted straight into the first team at Pryce's expense.

I don't see anything in Maguire that would make him drop form players for those who are not in form.

If we can afford them, I see no reason not to keep them.

Exactly, people are quick to jump the gun but that just isnt the case anymore. Just because we sign Pryce and Phelps wont mean it will stop Marsh/Charnley playing, it will just mean whoever is training/performing better will be in the 17, which will benefit the team.

We won the title due to our strength in depth.

However if anyone was to play our 3rd choice 9 next year it would be Tuson.

Chris defensive game is ideal for 20 minute stints at 9

Neither player has a long-term future at the club and so in whatever capacity they would be holding other players back or would simply be a waste of cap space.

Should neither play in the first-team for the players above (like you've mentioned) then they would take a spot in the Reserves that could be used to promote an U18's player. Would counting these two on our 25 really be worth it to see them play in the reserves?

Should we even get them 'on the cheap' and they're outside the 25k mark they would still be eating out of the 50K pot which is used for players outside the 25 - Reserves/academy players.

Sorry, I see no reason to keep either of them. Stefan Marsh and Josh Charnley should be used above with Matty Russell and Ryan King going on duel-loan and subsequently adding more competition for places. Should Pryce/Phelps be signed IMO they're wasting salary cap money - this could be used should a hooker become available mid-season - or like I mentioned they would be eating out of the 50k pot you have to spend outside the top 25.

We're best off without IMO.

Wholeheartedly agree with that, but if we're not going to sign anyone else and have the space to fit them in then I can't see why we'd just cut and run, and lose 2 players out of our squad.

Flexabiltiy should anyone else become available mid-season - Martin Gleeson a prime example - Gareth Hock a potential candidate.

I can see that, but it's a bit of a risk to gamble squad places on the off-chance of a player becoming available.

I suppose we have to look at the fact that Carmont isn't getting any younger, Roberts is returning from an injury that took a lot out of him and balance that against the probability of losing similar players again.

Had our squad been 2 players lighter this season, would we have been able to cover the backs as well as we did?

For me the key as to keeping Phelps and/or Pryce is within the half-back and hooker roles.

We have McIllorum and Tommy for the hooking role
We have Finch and probably Sam for the halves plus possibly Deacon if he signs for another playing year - not yet confirmed.

But both Deacon and McIllorum have question marks over their fitness and injury records, both missed a large chunk of last season between them. So based on that they can be counted as 1 player - so effectivley we have 4 players for 6,7 and 9 (and all this is assuming that Sam is not at FB). Not a lot of cover - Mellor may be one option but he is relatively untried at SL level.

So it may be that Phelps can be retained as cover in the halves (he was playing at 6 in the u20s recently).

We also have doubts over Roberts (can he get back to full fitness) and Richards is certainly going to miss early season games - so Pryce may be an option - surely competition between say Pryce,Charnely and Marsh for wing/centre cover is no bad thing.Especially as whoever shows up well next season could be in line to replace Carmont the year after.

I expect IL,MM and SW will make a sensible decision either way.

This is true in theory, but in practice, every time we had a problem at half-back the solution was Lockers will someone else filling the LF role.

I do rate Phelps but little point in keeping him on if he is not going to get game time. He is good enough for other teams but I expect the blocker here is that he is on the overseas quota.

I'd keep the pair of them for strength in depth and competition for places especially Phelps though due to his versatility. Last year we got the odd injury in the backs plus Roberts for a large spell what happens if we get worse injuries this year ?.. The young lads got plenty of game time anyway with Phelps and Pryce in the squad and will continue to do so during next year. The best way to bring these youngsters through is the odd one or two in the team at a time, surrounded by older heads to help them. Against lower quality opposition as well were the pressure isn't as high and the odd mistake shouldn't make a huge difference.



But what does the quota matter to us if we aren't going to bring in another Aussie ?.. Phelps on a one year deal is a no brainer for me. TBH i don't think we'd miss Pryce to much if he left though.

Karl Pryce to St Helens?

Wigan havent offerd Cameron a new deal. He flew back to Australia today with no contract from a SL club. He might never return to the UK.