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.)

Amos was good at FB because with his electric pace & quality step he found it easy to break the game line, BUT, the style of RL we play with the FB as an extra pivot is one Sam does better.



All the good things Amos can do at FB Sam can also do them as well. Sam is more of a danger with ball in hand as well so for me it's no contest who should be our FB next season.



My main worry is at HB as I don't think Deacs will be fit for the majority of the season.

I do not think Roberts got the credit for his assists last year. Ok he was not throwing the eye catching passes that Phelps was early season but whilst they may not have been long cut out balls etc he still came up with a boat load of assists.



I agree Tomkins does act as the extra pivot but so did Roberts only in a slightly different way.

For all the good things Roberts did at the start of last season for me he just wasn't a link man in the same way Phelps was or Sam turned out to be.



I keep thinking back to the Wire away game where Amos scorred a classic try but he also messed a few try opps up with poor passes. One I'm sure landed in the stands instead of in Gouldings waiting arms for a walk in.



Like I said earlier everything Amos can do im more than confident Sam can do that and more.

Like I said Roberts may not have provided the "link" in the same way as Phelps or Sam but he still provided the link. I would expect we scored significant tries directly off his passes as "assist", but even more off the back of his line busts.



Sam potentially can go on to be anything he wants in the game but at the moment of the 2 if you are looking at a direct comparison for me Roberts has shown superior form to Tomkins in there respective tenure at fullback.

Its a no brainer for me..We start with Roberts at full back and sam at 6.



If he doesnt show the form we drop him and move sam to full back..But a team with a fully on form Roberts and Sam on the same pitch is a frightening thought.We need to give Roberts a chance.

I think Deacon also deserves a shot which is where things become complicated.

Perhaps - although at this stage Deacon has not been confirmed as a player for next year (but I don't think it would be a huge surprise if he was). But given Deacon's fitness and injury issues last season when he did miss a lot of games I don't think it will be much of a complication - it may even be a case of having Deacon as reserve/cover for the halves and maybe even no 9 (especially if McIllorum has injury problems like previous seasons). Nice problem to have though.