I wouldn't say Roberts was anywhere near world-class at fullback, personally.



It's a tricky decision, though; I don't think there's much to choose between Sam & Amos at fullback, but both deserve to be in the team, as do Richards & Goulding, so the only way to accommodate all of them is Roberts #1 and Sam #6.



If Sam does play fullback (after Richards returns from injury), either Roberts or Goulding has to be dropped, and I don't think either of them deserve it.

I think Sam will start at FB to begin the season, but if Amos is able to recover his early 2010 form then he'd be my number 1. Sam's been great at FB but when compared with Amos and the form he was in there's only one winner for me.

With Richards being out I imagine Sam would start the season at FB. However I still think that when Richards is back Roberts should go to 1 with Sam moving back to 6. I think Gouldings deserved his place in the side.

Absolutely, Goulding showed all last year he's worthy of his spot. I think it get's overlooked just how safe Darrel is under the highball. He did go through a shaky patch midway through the season where he'd position himself wrong in the defensive line, or come out when he shouldn't. But thankfully he's rectified those weaknesses in his game and he's a much improved player for it.

I completely agree. If everyone is fit and on form then Roberts has to be at 1 in my opinion.

I think the pre season friendlys will determine alot of these 'problems' (what great problems to have!)



Who will play fullback? Who will play in the halves? Who will play in the back row? Who will cover Pats wing whilst he's injured?



Go back 4 or 5 years and we were asking similar questions, but more so because the players we had were rubbish. 'Is there ANYONE else who can play fullback instead of Mathers/Vaeliki/Moran

Now we have a dilemma of choosing between Sam Tomkins and Amos Roberts.









Its great to have such healthy competition in the squad, and I would go as far as saying no-ones place is safe, we could put out two completely different starting 13's and each one would still give Super League a good go:



1. Sam - Roberts

2. Goulding - Charnley

3. Gleeson - Carmont

4. Marsh - Pryce

5. King - Richards

6. Deacon - O'Loughlin

7. Mellor - Finch

8. Fielden - Coley

9. Leuluai - McIlorum

10. Prescott - Lima

11. Hoffman - Hansen

12. Tuson - Joel

13. Farrell - Mossop

Amos to full back with Sam to 6.

Finch will be playing 7 as a playmaker so Sam could really prosper from playing alongside Finch.

Amos at 1, Goulding 2, Charnley 5 (Until Pat returns) Sam 6, Finch 7.

This really does highlight Wigan's frightening strength in depth - frightening, that is, for all the other SL clubs.



One of the reasons we finished top of the league and then won SL was our strength in depth, brought about by the emergence of players like Farrell and Tuson. The squad should be even stronger than last year with 3 better imports and the continued development of players like Charnley and Marsh. When you think we can add Davies, O'Caroll, and the new lads promoted from the Academy to the list of 26, the future really does seem bright - if not totally cherry and white!

Please say we havent give Pryce a new contract





What does anyone know about this Ryan King?? Is he really ready for the 1st team straight away?? I've never seen him play before.

I happen to agree with this assessment, I think you could make a very good case for him being the form fullback in the world for the 6 weeks prior to his injury. Some of the things he did were simply incredible and he seemed to make something happen every time he got the ball. What he did prior to that in his career is of no consequence, his time in the NRl etc is totally irrelevant, if you take the 6 weeks window prior to his injury the lad was on fire.



To be the best player in the world you have to do it over a longer period, but for those few weeks I think there is a great case to state he was not only the form fullback in the game but potentially even the form player in the game.

if we wanna bring roberts time in the NRL into him being the best full back also bring Pats time in the NRL with him being the best winger... he maybe an ireland international now but i doubt back in his NRL days if australia had offered a call up he would of said no?? and also he could of still played in origin without being a kangaroo!! i agree with you we put to much on what player do in the NRL! Amos was the best full back in the world at start of season and IMO would of been man of steel if he never got his injury

I would hope and expect it will be a clean slate, what has happened in the last season will have an influence possibly but I think MM will return to the ethos that has brought us this success, ie clean slate and regardless of performance reputation gets you a shot.



All the players will have to perform in pre season and in the friendlies and that is what will define who gets a shirt. 2010 is gone to move forward we must keep looking forward not back.



If we are making predictions I expect personally, Tomkins to start at 1 and remain there, if he does not the whole experiment last year and its success would be for nothing. I think Deacon will start at 7, with Finch at 6.



Although I think Goulding has come on, the way I judge a player is would they be a success in a team that is struggling, take Goulding out of the Wigan team and put him in at Cas for example would he have the same impact and for me the answer is no. Goulding has benefited from our style of play and the service he has received. He is a hard working winger, perhaps not the most naturally gifted but he is in the right place at the right time, which is a skill in itself and also shows great determination, for me though he does not make enough happen off his own back, unlike Roberts.



With Richards out I fully expect both Roberts and Goulding will have a fair crack at getting the Wing spot, and although I doubt it, it could be a case of Richards having to work to get his shirt back, although his kicking is clearly a great advantage over the other 2 which you would assume see him come back once he is fully fit.



Over the course of the year I expect our most settled backline will be -



1. Tomkins

2.Roberts

3.Gleeson

4.Carmont

5 Richards

6. Finch

7. Deacon (although i think we will see Tommy and Mellor in that slot throughout the year.)