In Agar's last two seasons we finished 6th and 8th (W29 D1 L24 in regular season rounds). Under Gentle we finished 6th and 6th (W28 D4 L22). Hardly a massive improvement.

Gentle got us to a final but it was our worst ever performance in a Cup final.

Certainly wasn't underfunded, Pearson sort a lot of money when he took over, unfortunately Gentle/McRae wasted it on the likes of Miller, Mcdonnell by paying them way over the odds.

Gentle did ok, but his recruitment was appalling and he didn't really care about about youth, hence trying to get rid of Shaul and Lineham, luckily Radford stopped him.

As for blaming Radford for the Hudds play of defeat by saying he was in charge, that's a new low.

I'm not sure about that one.

Squad:

1. Jamie Shaul, 2. Bureta Faraimo, 3. Carlos Tuimavave, 6. Albert Kelly, 8. Scott Taylor, 9. Danny Houghton, 11. Dean Hadley, 12. Mark Minichiello, 14. Jake Connor, 15. Chris Green, 17. Danny Washbrook, 20. Brad Fash, 21. Sika Manu, 23. Mickey Paea, 24. Jack Logan, 27. Jack Downs, 28. Hakim Miloudi, 29. Masimbaashe Matongo, 35. Liam Harris.

Should be strong enough, so long as we don't go in complacent.

I'd go with

Shaul
Faraimo
Carlos
Connor
Miloudi
Kelly
Harris
Taylor
Houghton
Green
Sika
Mini
Hadley

Paea
Fash
Masi
Downs/Logan

I don't think Harris is quite ready yet and on the back of Connors England performance i'd have him at 6 and Logan at centre.

Washbrook in place of Downs on the bench

Just think its an ideal opportunity for Harris to be used without too much pressure on him (no offence to Widnes) otherwise I'd agree Dave. Thats why I have put Downs/Logan as interchange incase Connor needs to be moved to the halves during the game.

To be fair I think Washy has struggled of late and think Downs has done enough to earn a spot.

Well with rumours on the Wigan board of them moving for Sneyd for 2019, maybe it is chance to get the Connor @ 6 and Kelly @ 7 partnership developed!

Shaul
Faraimo
Logan
Tuimavave
Miloudi
Kelly
Connor
Taylor
Houghton
Green
Manu
Minichello
Hadley
Subs
Masi
Downs
Paea
Washy

I'd put on Connor in the halves and we have to trust Logan in the centres for now, Washy and Downs on the bench to cover our back three, don't think we need three props against Widnes on the bench.

Connor and Taylor i think will start on the bench

both need to be in the starting side, surely?

I would guess that Sneyd would be one of the last players Radford would sell, paractualry the way he has talked about him recentley.

Wigan don't have a coach, so how can they be even considering buying a player? As you say, Radford won't sell Sneyd, more chance of selling Kelly! (which is unlikely too!)

I agree, but with a young child now, being a man utd fan and a Lancashire lad, being closer to home after winning back to back Challenge cups and Lance Todd Trophies, he might want to leave??

Indeed, he might, but not knowing who (in terms of coach) he's going to be playing for, especially when out injured?

seems a rovers rumour to me, time will tell

Sneydy loves it at Hull.
Gone are the days when other clubs could rock up
and pick off our best players.
Wishful thinking on some Wigan’s fans part.

Agreed

Wants wrong with Jordan Lane? Is he injured?

Out of favour and playing for Donny

out of favour?

Well about 5 weeks ago he was dropped as he got beat by Radford in a Yo-Yo test and told to knuckle down and get his fitness sorted

let's be fair about this Wildie,radford sabotaged lanes yo yo,he dipped it in lead.

I dont think Lanes Fitness has ever been in doubt.
He played big minutes when in the first team

Must be in doubt enough if Radford beat him....and this is accurate

It's hardly the gold standard for testing endurance though. Not disputing the fact whether it did or didn't happen, but many variables could have affected the outcome.