If Waterhouse settles in early then i'd say your recruitment leaves you as strong as this year with potential to grow through guys like Ratchford and Hill.

As for Saints if they don't sign anybody else they won't be quite as strong as this year. Thats not a massive insult to them though as I think they'll have a pretty good go at the double this year if they can keep all their players fit. I think they're being underestimated by alot of people who say the Grand Final is a nailed on Wigan vs Wire final.

All true but at the same time your key players are that extra year over 30 again, I know it was said last year (and tbf, Morley and Briers are currently both sidelined with fairly long term injuries). Chris Hill is the best signing you've made in my mind, could realistically be a first team prop for the next 10 years.

Saints are losing some quality players, but they still managed to be there or thereabouts this year without Eastmond + Pryce, let alone very little from Perry and all the other crocks. I think they have 1 big signing left to announce, but we'll see.

We definately need to have some activity on the signings front, I have faith in IL but the lack of announcement on a coach is clouding my judgement a little.

Who are your confirmed departures and rumoured for next season?

Confirmed : Hoffman.

OOC:

Deacon
Coley
Davies
Pryce
O'Carroll

Every year, roughly around this part of the season, someone sounds this same alarm.

I think it's pretty clear that, whether we make any new signings or not (and frankly I'm amazed that any Wigan fans still look to end-of-year signings as if they are some kind of barometer re the club's health), we will NOT be left behind.

Was that the one advertised other week? Seems a little below his level TBH

Can see us resigning Davies and Eamon. I think Deacs will retire. Therefore for next year I feel we need to sign.

1) Half back- or promote mellor/logan tomkins
2) Prop- still feel we need to sign an experienced prop to replace coley. O'Hara?
3) Centre- A luxury signing would be a centre meaning Joel can return to the SR and replace hoff, Vince Mellars?

Davies has already gone hasn't he? Thought Hull KR was mentioned?

Unsure, don't think it has been confirmed, I just know he's on loan until the end of the season.

A new 6 as a direct replacement for Deacon and we're not far short. Would give us a 1st choice 17 of something like:

S. Tomkins
Charnley
J. Tomkins
Carmont
Richards
New 6
Finch
Fielden
Tommy
Lima
Hock
Hansen
O’Loughlin

McIlorum
Prescott
Mossop
Farrell

With Tuson, O'Carroll, Hughes, Crosby, Logan, Mellor etc in reserve

Another quality forward would be a good idea with us losing Hoff, Coley and Cross all at once to cover for injuries. Or a centre and move Joel back in to the pack (complete lack of these though obviously, the only quality centre who I can see might be available would be Brent Tate from the Cowboys).

I'd seriously be tempted to take O'Hara from Crusaders, will give us some experience in the front row. Will be off quota, and will bulk up the pack.

Top class Hooker and im happy.

Go on I'll play. A centre and Ryan O'Hara for me. Although I feel I'll be disappointed on both fronts.

I mentioned on a previous post that the centre situation may be resolved if Amos could regain full fitness for next season.
Amos at 2 with Charnley going to centre. This allows Joel to return to the pack as our right sided 2nd rower.
Josh would then have two experienced men either side of him allowing him to develop as a centre. I do think this will be his position medium and long term. When Amos goes Ryan King will replace him.

Both Deacs and George may not play full seasons next year giving time for their replacements to be found and develop.
Should Wane become head coach he may well be inclined to give our younger players their chance perhaps earlier than they have been recently.
I can't see more than one signing being made. We have a big squad and some of the best young players in British Rugby League.
Our next coach will have the task of bringing these lads through.

And Leuluai back to 7?

Davies mentioned on twitter that he was happy to have his future sorted and when asked where at replied ' I dont think I can say until there's an official announcement'.

That sounds like it could be away from Wigan but you never know. The announcement may be a new deal here.

I would have liked to have seen him stay at Wigan personally. We've no doubt invested a lot of time and money into his development so far, and it seems a shame when he's currently on the cusp of either becoming a good player or not, that we're getting rid of him a tad to early to make that call with any great conviction.

If he does indeed go, that leaves us with only four seasoned props in Fielden, Lima, Mossop and Prescott, with O'Carrol, Crosby and Spencer outside that. All well and good if we can keep them fit, but if like this year were constantly short two experienced props due to injury, then next year we could be in trouble IMO.

Fielden will be back next year. A lot of people seem to be forgetting about him. I wouldn't call Vince Mellars a luxury signing either

Yes

I hope not.

Never a 7 for all the will in the world.

He won a World Cup and a Four Nations at 9 and a Super League Grand Final at 7. Hmmm....

Yes I know fielden would be back next season giving us 4 props in the 17 of

Fielden
Lima
Prescott
Mossop

O'Carroll
Crosby as reserves

However fielden and ocarroll are coming off the back of long term injuries so it could be a risk going in with so few props because if one is injured we're a bit snookered! Definately bring a prop in next year for me, this is a must.

Mellars is a luxury signing in the fact that it kills two birds with one stone. It gives us an experienced centre and also allows us to move Joel back to the second row. Mellars would become the second best centre at the club behind carmont and would add a bit of stability to our back line, plus the fact he's only 27 we would get a few years out of him.

A half back is not top of the list as I would like to see either Mellor or Tomkins promoted next year, Mellor has the potential to be class and I think Logan has shown enough at widnes to be given game time next year.

I don't think Charnley will move to 3, every time the coaching staff have had the choice this year Marsh has been in at centre.

A squad of something like

Sam Tomkins, Charnley, Mellars, Carmont, Richards, Finch, Mellor, Fielden, Leuluai, Mossop, Joel Tomkins, Hansen, O'Loughlin subs of Lima, Prescott, McIllorum and Hock and then Farrell, Tuson, O'Carroll, O'Hara, Crosby, Marsh, Tomkins, King, Roberts, Hughes would see us competing for the honours again.

Successful teams over a period have to find a consistancy with the squad, 1/2 signings per year should be perfect. Mellars and O'Hara would not take up the salaries of Hoffman,Coley,Deacon,Pryce,Davies so we could have spare salary cap for another player (rumours of Lauaki but I hope not)

Centre essential for me. Even if Amos ends up fit I'd rather have a tall stocky fast and proven top class centre and leave Charnley where he is. I know there are not many available and I wish IL could persuade Gasnier not to retire! He's not 30 yet!! 2 good seasons at Wigan to help Carmont develop Charnley and Joel.

Ideal world next year we would sign a top class centre, and a solid 7 with a decent kicking game and a prop. The last two could be easily solved if Coley and Deacon sign on for one more year.

1. Sam
2. Charnley
3. =redNew centre
4. Carmont
5. Richards
6. Finch
7. =redDeacon/New7
8. Mossop
9. Leuluai
10. Lima
11. Hansen
12. Joel
13. O'Loughlin

14. McIlorum
15. Fielden
16. Prescott
17. Farrell

18. Tuson
19. Hock
20. =redNew Prop/Coley
21. Marsh
22. Roberts??
23. Davies??
24. Goulding
25. Hughes
26. Crosby
27. Mellor
28. Logan
29. O'Carroll??

Edited.

Discussed this in work today, for me ideally, I'd look at bringing in Yeaman for centre and Chase in the halves. Whether they're available or not is something I haven't looked in to.

*If rumours are to be believed this is a done deal anyway.