Ten Wigan Warriors players off-contract at the end of the season

[Barney841]

I’d only want to retain french and Farrell.
Tommy should of retired two years ago, Zak should go(if all is true he’s unhappy), field havent got much judgment on as we’ve seen nothing of him, Jake is a maybe but if another option comes up I would let him go.
The younger lads need another season just to see how they go. I’m not really convinced by some of them, Smithies doesn’t offer much(bar penalties), partington same story and If true havard was playing through the pain barrier last season then shame on Lam, could of ruined his career before it’s even started

[pedro]

I’d only want to retain french and Farrell.
Tommy should of retired two years ago, Zak should go(if all is true he’s unhappy), field havent got much judgment on as we’ve seen nothing of him, Jake is a maybe but if another option comes up I would let him go.
The younger lads need another season just to see how they go. I’m not really convinced by some of them, Smithies doesn’t offer much(bar penalties), partington same story and If true havard was playing through the pain barrier last season then shame on Lam, could of ruined his career before it’s even started

^^this

[CheshireWarrior]

As it stands for me, Bevan French, Liam Farrell and Oliver Partington are 100% with question!

Jake Bibby, puts a shift in, isn't the slowest or quickest, but I wonder if what we've seen is as good as it gets with him?

Tommy Leuluai, shouldn't be captain, brave or stupid to go round this season, nevermind 2023?

Zak Hardaker, personally has never CONSISTENTLY looked like the Leeds/Cas 2017 version. Owes this club A HELL OF ALOT and the speculation is very disrespectful!

Jai Field, can't realistically reflect on the guy in a Wigan jersey, is his squad number an indication all isn't well? I.thought he'd be 6 and Cust 7?

Ethan Havard and Morgan Smithies, both blown hot and cold in 2020 and 2021. Both have lots of potential and still young enough, but both now, have players firmly infront of them imo!

Sam Powell, simply doesn't cut it as a complete, consistent 9 at all and for me, it's so apparent when he comes up against many SL hookers. Appears to have a good club rep, so I imagine he has a job for life

As is stands with our squad depth, the biggest positional question is 9 for me (where we have potential issues). I'd love to see how or if O'Neil can kick on next season.

[Caboosegg]

Jake Bibby, puts a shift in, isn't the slowest or quickest, but I wonder if what we've seen is as good as it gets with him?

He was the quickest player at magic weekend last year (sky stats) and there was one of the random updates on the Wigan website 2019 saying he beat everyone in the Clubspeed test including french

Obviously there needs to be more to a player than speed but it certainly isn't his issue

[Wigan_forever1985]

Jake Bibby, puts a shift in, isn't the slowest or quickest, but I wonder if what we've seen is as good as it gets with him?

He was the quickest player at magic weekend last year (sky stats) and there was one of the random updates on the Wigan website 2019 saying he beat everyone in the Clubspeed test including french

Obviously there needs to be more to a player than speed but it certainly isn't his issue

I think bibby is quick enough - i like him personally - i think he's a good enough quality without being a "star" when people tell me you cant have a team full of stars, Bibby is the the type of player i think that applies too

it does not apply to your spine players

[nathan_rugby]

As it stands for me, Bevan French, Liam Farrell and Oliver Partington are 100% with question!

Jake Bibby, puts a shift in, isn't the slowest or quickest, but I wonder if what we've seen is as good as it gets with him?

Tommy Leuluai, shouldn't be captain, brave or stupid to go round this season, nevermind 2023?

Zak Hardaker, personally has never CONSISTENTLY looked like the Leeds/Cas 2017 version. Owes this club A HELL OF ALOT and the speculation is very disrespectful!

Jai Field, can't realistically reflect on the guy in a Wigan jersey, is his squad number an indication all isn't well? I.thought he'd be 6 and Cust 7?

Ethan Havard and Morgan Smithies, both blown hot and cold in 2020 and 2021. Both have lots of potential and still young enough, but both now, have players firmly infront of them imo!

Sam Powell, simply doesn't cut it as a complete, consistent 9 at all and for me, it's so apparent when he comes up against many SL hookers. Appears to have a good club rep, so I imagine he has a job for life

As is stands with our squad depth, the biggest positional question is 9 for me (where we have potential issues). I'd love to see how or if O'Neil can kick on next season.

Whilst I appreciate Havard and Smithies didn’t perform to the best of their abilities in 2021, they were some of our standout performers in 2020…

I am confused how Partington is a 100% but those two aren’t?

[nathan_rugby]

Jake Bibby, puts a shift in, isn't the slowest or quickest, but I wonder if what we've seen is as good as it gets with him?

He was the quickest player at magic weekend last year (sky stats) and there was one of the random updates on the Wigan website 2019 saying he beat everyone in the Clubspeed test including french

Obviously there needs to be more to a player than speed but it certainly isn't his issue

Those stats can be deceiving but it is an indication of speed none the less.

I personally don’t think Bibby is slow but
- how long did it take him to reach the top speed?
- how long did he sustain it for

[widdenoldboy]

Bibby has proven a decent winger, he needs to show more as a centre, agreed.
If better comes along then maybe let him go but I don't see that happening.

[Exiled Wiganer]

I am happy with Bibby. He does a job, he just doesn’t look like a traditionally shaped winger/centre but looks can be deceiving.

On Powell, what will it take for the penny to drop at the club, given that the great majority of us who have watched the game for decades see him as a major problem for the side?

One explanation and something that bothers me is the talk of the “Wigan way” and the importance of “culture”. I remember teams which would barely speak among themselves and players effectively going on strike, during a time when we had the most successful period in the club’s history. I worry that Powell is the perfect teacher’s pet when it comes to training to such an extent that they ignore what he fails to do on the field. I watch talent not culture.

[Wigan_forever1985]

I am happy with Bibby. He does a job, he just doesn’t look like a traditionally shaped winger/centre but looks can be deceiving.

On Powell, what will it take for the penny to drop at the club, given that the great majority of us who have watched the game for decades see him as a major problem for the side?

One explanation and something that bothers me is the talk of the “Wigan way” and the importance of “culture”. I remember teams which would barely speak among themselves and players effectively going on strike, during a time when we had the most successful period in the club’s history. I worry that Powell is the perfect teacher’s pet when it comes to training to such an extent that they ignore what he fails to do on the field. I watch talent not culture.

Not just us pundits on sky all pointed to powells lack of threat as a major issue for Wigan

Problem is he’s one of the “boys” and rather than see the jobs for the boys thing doesn’t work wigan have doubled down on it and engrained it more now you can’t get into the club without being their “type” of guy

Saints for this under kfc - remember him signing smith his mate back, they found out how limiting it was got rid got independent people in and thrived ever since