Wane hints at another signing

[DaveO]

The club have known for two years or more that carmont was comming to the end and here we are trying to fit second rowers at centre and centres at second row,that's
What I call half arsed

So do I. It had plenty to time to manage the loss of several other senior players as well and the club decided to do so by signing just two in the off season.

If we had to move Hughes to centre because we had no cap space (and now we do because of Hock being out of the door) then that is just bad management of the cap.

If when Hughes told Josie he was not fast enough it wasn't a tongue in cheek comment then why don't the club realise this as well? Not good when player doesn't have the confidence in his own ability to play in a position.

Regardless of that though is there any fan who doesn't think Hughes at centre is just a compromise?

With a bit of luck the club could be saved from its own mismanagement here if Thornley steps up to the plate. But given they gave the no 4 shirt to Hughes that would be more luck then judgement IMO.

[josie andrews]

Regardless of that though is there any fan who doesn't think Hughes at centre is just a compromise?

With a bit of luck the club could be saved from its own mismanagement here if Thornley steps up to the plate. But given they gave the no 4 shirt to Hughes that would be more luck then judgement IMO.

I thought the same when they moved Joel, who I thought was a much better second rower than centre!

[cpwigan]

The first team squad needs some more strike players, players who can create a try from nothing but individual magic. Sam is the only one really and he will be leaving sooner than later.

[yokozuna]

The first team squad needs some more strike players, players who can create a try from nothing but individual magic. Sam is the only one really and he will be leaving sooner than later.

Green looks like a player who might be able to conjure up a lot of try-scoring opportunities?

[markill]

The first team squad needs some more strike players, players who can create a try from nothing but individual magic. Sam is the only one really and he will be leaving sooner than later.

Green looks like a player who might be able to conjure up a lot of try-scoring opportunities?

And Josh has so much speed that he is a strike player too. We could with a strike forwrad to replace what has left, assuming Hock is never coming back (which isn't a sure thing at all). Hughes and Farell in interchange tandem could offer that but maybe not have the impact we would all want in games against our top rivals just yet.

[exile in Tiger country]

There are a lot of negative comments. Many, I agree, are justified however when we talk about Wigan not having strengthened the side who among our rivals have taken any major steps forward? Wire have stayed with the same squad as last year. Sintellins have two Hull rejects, at least one of whom must be towards the end of his career with his best days behind him and Leeds squad must have An average age greater than the Rolling Stones.
Alright we have lost some good players, but we will be there or thereabouts come the end of the season. I have no worries that Wigan won't be challenging for trophies this season under Shaun Wane!

[DaveO]

Regardless of that though is there any fan who doesn't think Hughes at centre is just a compromise?

With a bit of luck the club could be saved from its own mismanagement here if Thornley steps up to the plate. But given they gave the no 4 shirt to Hughes that would be more luck then judgement IMO.

I thought the same when they moved Joel, who I thought was a much better second rower than centre!

He was.

If Hughes does play centre when we have a fully fit squad he may be OK against some of the lesser teams but what happened at Widnes last season should have been all Wane needed to know that it won't work against a specialist in that position. SL is poor enough most clubs can play players out of position with not much consequence but I don't think we should kid ourselves just because we can do that we should.

[DaveO]

There are a lot of negative comments. Many, I agree, are justified however when we talk about Wigan not having strengthened the side who among our rivals have taken any major steps forward? Wire have stayed with the same squad as last year.

Wire staying the same is hardly a negative. Leeds have added a couple of players to their GF winning side. Hull have got Ellis and some other signings. Les Cat's have signed Webb and at least one more player.

If you read Ian Millwards assessment of each team (there is a link in the general rl forum) I think the answer to your question is quite a few of our rivals are in better shape than last season and we are worse off.

Even Hudds who lost a few have signed Fielden from us who has more presence on the pitch than any of our props.

Alright we have lost some good players, but we will be there or thereabouts come the end of the season. I have no worries that Wigan won't be challenging for trophies this season under Shaun Wane!

Millward reckons we will struggle to match last season and I see no reason to disagree. Even IL is realistic enough to say our chances of success depend on how well the kids go. He knows it's a gamble.

On paper last season it was between us and Wire as to who had the best squad. This season and given how Millward mentioned what recruitment other sides have made I'd put us about 5th at best possibly 6th.

[cpwigan]

I think what Saints have done is add an x factor player in Manu which is where our weakness IMO lies. Wire have lots of X factor players. Leeds have a few and have added to their number in the close season. Sam is our one X factor player. Potentially Blake Green if he rediscovers his 2011 form could be. I see Josh as a finisher. His best running impact game was at FB when Sam went off.

Sometimes you need players to produce a solo bit of magic rather than always relying on carefully crafted teamwork. For all the brilliance of Greg and Edwards, you still had Ellery's individual brilliance and Greg could do that too.

Friendlies are just that but minus Sam our attack did not look that scary in those games. Let's hope when the real stuff starts tomorrow we are a different beast.

[yokozuna]

If stains do well this season, I can see Manu being a good shout for the Man of Steel. He's 25/1 for that, which I think's pretty good value.