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shaunedwardsfan​club​ wrote:We have certainly got the nucleus of a good side and in 12 months time the young guys will be pushing the established members of the squad for a starting position, with another set of juniors doing the same a year later. Two things worry me though: have we got the X-factor (beyond Sam) to win big games?

From what I read on here, Powell, Williams etc. could well be

shaunedwardsfan​club​ wrote: Will size and experience count when it comes to the crunch?

Maybe we will lack a bit this year, but the youngsters are gaining all the time and I am optimistic that we may well have a new winning dynasty in its infancy.

You have to understand that for every player that conmes through to play for Wigan at SL level, another 12 or so never wear the Cherry n White. However, we are fortunate that we have such a seemingly never ending supply of talented juniors for which we owe the amateur clubs / coaches for, the scouts, the likes of Brian Foley and so forth, an owner who wanted to focus upon junior development. Not forgetting, we always have done so bar 1 recent blip. Waney was part of that too BUT like so many first team coaches was he / has he been forced by injuries to blood youngsters or is it a deliberate strategy?

You wll find Leeds have some fantastic young players too. Sheer coincedence or simply an advantage both clubs enjoy?

southernpie wrote:

shaunedwardsfan​club​ wrote:We have certainly got the nucleus of a good side and in 12 months time the young guys will be pushing the established members of the squad for a starting position, with another set of juniors doing the same a year later. Two things worry me though: have we got the X-factor (beyond Sam) to win big games?

From what I read on here, Powell, Williams etc. could well be

shaunedwardsfan​club​ wrote: Will size and experience count when it comes to the crunch?

Maybe we will lack a bit this year, but the youngsters are gaining all the time and I am optimistic that we may well have a new winning dynasty in its infancy.

Powell and Williams are great prospects but neither has the X factor. Hampshire is the one half back with X factor potential. A helluvah way from first team but a winger called BUrgess has some X factor potential if he can improve in other areas.

yokozuna wrote:When ManU won the league after Hansen's comment about you can't win with kids, the average age of their players that season was actually higher than the average in the league.

So Hansen was actually half - right. You don't win anything with just kids, you need the blend of experience as well.

The Wigan squad is a great mix, and the youngsters are stepping up and showing they're capable. With Hansen and a few more of the experienced players back in the side, the team should be very strong with the combination of good youngsters and good experienced players. Also bodes well going forward and not having to rely on big money signings coming in each season. More evolution than revolution.

Alan Hansen was correct you do not win anything with kids. If people looked at the results these kids got they would not have finished top if the kids played all season. Once the big names came back in they went on a massive run and won the league. If they did not come back then Utd would not have won anything that season. Its now used to make Hansen look dumb but he was correct in what he said.

Though we are going very well considering the injuries we have and the last time if got this bad was 2006 and we all know where that almost put us. No side in SL could lose the top 3 props in their team as well as one of the best 2nd row players in SL and be second. Not just second but turning sides over with ease.

Wane has a problem as it could mean the end for Prescott if he remains injured over the next few months as Crosby is looking every bit a Super League prop as is Flower now. Just who do you pick out of Mossop, Prescott, Dudson, Flower, Lauaki, Taylor Burke or Crosby. Thats 8 props which all are decent quality at least.

There are so many youngsters in side now its looking very promising for the future especially since the pack could be settled for the next 2-3 years at least with hardly any new faces needed to unsettle it. The backline apart from Sam and Richards cold be together for a few years as well. Proves one thing the that youth is the way forward and Wane has done an amazing job in getting so many players under 23 ready for SL.

Could either do a job at FB?

If they could along with Sam Powell it could be a future 1 6 7??

Thoughts?

thegimble wrote:

yokozuna wrote:When ManU won the league after Hansen's comment about you can't win with kids, the average age of their players that season was actually higher than the average in the league.

So Hansen was actually half - right. You don't win anything with just kids, you need the blend of experience as well.

The Wigan squad is a great mix, and the youngsters are stepping up and showing they're capable. With Hansen and a few more of the experienced players back in the side, the team should be very strong with the combination of good youngsters and good experienced players. Also bodes well going forward and not having to rely on big money signings coming in each season. More evolution than revolution.

Alan Hansen was correct you do not win anything with kids. If people looked at the results these kids got they would not have finished top if the kids played all season. Once the big names came back in they went on a massive run and won the league. If they did not come back then Utd would not have won anything that season. Its now used to make Hansen look dumb but he was correct in what he said.

Though we are going very well considering the injuries we have and the last time if got this bad was 2006 and we all know where that almost put us. No side in SL could lose the top 3 props in their team as well as one of the best 2nd row players in SL and be second. Not just second but turning sides over with ease.

Wane has a problem as it could mean the end for Prescott if he remains injured over the next few months as Crosby is looking every bit a Super League prop as is Flower now. Just who do you pick out of Mossop, Prescott, Dudson, Flower, Lauaki, Taylor Burke or Crosby. Thats 8 props which all are decent quality at least.

There are so many youngsters in side now its looking very promising for the future especially since the pack could be settled for the next 2-3 years at least with hardly any new faces needed to unsettle it. The backline apart from Sam and Richards cold be together for a few years as well. Proves one thing the that youth is the way forward and Wane has done an amazing job in getting so many players under 23 ready for SL.

I've felt for some time that the writing has been on the wall for Prescott, certainly at Wigan where he has been plagued by injury both short term and not so short term. Thing is, he could well be offered a contract with another club where the training regimen is not quite so rigorous and find himself playing more games per season.

From your list, I'd stick Moose on the sheet but it could be a struggle to keep everyone else happy when they're all fighting fit!

These young lads are performing well above expectations and it's great to watch them develop. Those fans who relinquished there season tickets and are now not bothering to turn up are missing out big time.