Deacon obviously feels he is, and in the past Madge has commented on how he'd like Paul play on for another year. www.wigantoday.net/sport/wigan-w ... _1_1309590 So I suppose as back up to Sam, Finch, Leuluai and McIlorum I'd be ok with it. Now whether he'd get the shout above Mellor to fill in when needed I wonder. It certainly wouldn't harm us to keep him on board. Afterall a lot of our success this year is based on our flexible and large squad, and being honest Deacon has gone pretty well for us this year, he's not been the weak link in defense I thought he would.

Deacon obviously feels he is, and in the past Madge has commented on how he'd like Paul play on for another year. www.wigantoday.net/sport/wigan-w ... _1_1309590 So I suppose as back up to Sam, Finch, Leuluai and McIlorum I'd be ok with it. Now whether he'd get the shout above Mellor to fill in when needed I wonder. It certainly wouldn't harm us to keep him on board. Afterall a lot of our success this year is based on our flexible and large squad, and being honest Deacon has gone pretty well for us this year, he's not been the weak link in defense I thought he would.

If his salary is right then IMO it's worth keeping him as we don't know how well (or if indeed ) Mellor will recover from his injury.

Would have to be pay as you play for me! I want to see Mellor in action. He would have been a star in this team this year.

Not sure to be honest. Deacon does bring experience to the side but Finch is 29 so not sure he's needed in that aspect. I think it would depend on if we brought an experienced hooker in. We'd have sam, finch, lulu at halves plus macca and a senior hooker at 9 giving us good cover. Then you've got Lockers and Mellor to fill in at halves if needed. If we can't get a hooker in then 1 year won't harm anyone i guess

From what I've seen of him he offers some stability and direction, albeit with a chronic lack of pace (you'd have murdered Hudds had you had a 7 with some pace - he fluffed several breaks).

Another year of Deacon rather than playing Mellor would be nuts IMO. If he's a squad player only to be drawn upon in dire emergency, why not.

Mellor is only 18 as well & he will be a year behind in his development. It is definitely worth keeping Paul Deacon for another season. He has played a significant part this season in us finishing top of the league. He can just slot into the side when ever needed, and although he lacks pace, his kicking game both general and close to the line has been outstanding.

As you say Rogues, if the price is right I would keep Deacon on for another season. It gives us excellent squad depth in the halves.

We just need someone who is capable of covering at hooker in case of injuries.

That's the real worry for me. As it stands, we'll be operating next year with only 1 recognised Hooker, albeit TL has had some experience there. A long term injury to McIlorum could really hurt us.

Very true, and McIlorum's not got the best record of staying fit as it is.

If there is room on the cap once we have completed the squad then why not. He has been playing some cracking rugby of late after a bit of a shaky start.

He is by no means a priority but if there is room to accommodate him then it would be sensible to have him as cover, although without wanting to curse us and injuries in the halves I would be shocked to see him play more than 4 or 5 games in the first team at the most.

I agree with you both and share your concerns. The hooking role is a specialist role and has become more pivotal/important in today's game than ever before IMO.

Reliable source he's on for another year.

Which is why I can see 3 Tomkins being on the pitch against Bradford next week.

I doubt it. He isn't even training with the first team yet.