Defensively wingers often, at Wire come in for a raw deal.
You need a centre that can command his space defensively inside the poor sod on our wing.
Whereas centres like we had with Bridge and we see with Gelling, by commanding his area, he keeps his winger in check.
Jumping out of the line like Atkins and Evans do or wandering to the opposite end leaves his winger high and dry.
Isn't it about time we started to sign beasts for our 3/4s?

I don't understand investing heavily in a winger (lineham) and then having a rubbish centre inside him... a great centre makes a winger look good, a crap centre does the opposite.

With Currie out of action for sometime I think the purchase of a Second Row must be a priority.

Penny (or a new singing) and we'll be a different attacking animal on the outside next season.

We'll have Hughes and Westwood with Currie to return and Wilde ever improving.

Is Grix back next season?

Were ok for back rowers.

Yes I can recommend the Barmy Army Facebook group..

I'd be happy with that, I really think that letting Toby King develop by giving him a good run in the team will be better for us in the long run. He's a classy player, real talent. Gidley to FB, Sandow and Patton in halves. We'd have dangerous players all over the pitch.

If sandow leaves that throws a spanner in the works but I'd just play ratchford with Patton, Gidley at FB. Sign one new quality centre and play atkins on the wing or play atkins centre and sign a quality winger. For me Toby King has to be a starting centre next year, sure we will have to take the rough with the smooth (remember that ridiculous Curry is a coward thread) that goes with the territory with a young player but he is ready to play and needs game time.

I think that was aimed at me for knocking Russell's catching ability assassination it wasn't IMO just an honest criticism I'm sorry if folk feel that is unfair or unsupportive but it's professional sport

I don't go to games and boo I genuinely get behind all the players but ever since Russell had his face bashed in at Widnes the high ball has been a problem for him, can't fault his effort in other areas though and if that 'problem or lack of confidence could be resolved we'd have a different proposition

Atkins scored 17 tries this season. Our joint top try scorer, 4th highest try scorer for the league, and made the Dream Team. I don't think he should be in the list above.

This weeks guardian confirms Harrison, Penny, Patton, Johnson, Morgan Smith & Julien will all be here next season.

Door open for Dodds to return, it sounds like we decided not to renew his contract, rather than it being a decision made by Dodds. 'Door open to return' apparently.

Delighted that Harrison is staying. Played well at Wakefield and will be like a new signing, hopefully with his injuries behind him. I'd be happy with him and Westwood sharing cover at 13 to allow Westerman to cover left second row channel in Currie's absence.

I'd also like to see at least one of Johnson and Patton given extended runs in the first team. Both have potential and Johnson appears to have a proper rugby brain at full back. That would free up Ratchford to play at centre if needed instead of Evans. Here is my 2017 team based on that:

1 - Gidley/Johnson
2 - Lineham
3 - Ratchford/King
4 - Atkins
5 - Penny/Russell
6 - Patton
7 - Sandow
8 - Hill
9 - Clark
10 - Cooper
11 - Westerman
12 - Hughes
13 - Harrison

14 - Westwood
15 - Sims
16 - Dwyer
17 - Crosby (possibly)

Evans would become a squad player with Julien, Wilde etc.

I'm a bit underwhelmed by this,in the grand scheme of this I can't say I'm unhappy about the season we have just had,but yet again we fell at the final hurdle for the big prize,I'm hoping for game winning signings.

Fair enough, if penny is to remain out of favour we still need a new winger though. What about Dwyer?

Isn't he a little bit small for winger?

Just more also rans being added - Cooper improves the pack, but massively offset by loss of Currie. Wigan's 4th choice prop, and somebody who hardly stood out in the championship as a centre

I'm salivating at the prospect

4th choice prop?
You mean the one that starts the game with no.8 on his back or another one?

Very good, you know what I meant though. Staying or going?

That doesn't really make sense unless you are going to take him back as a last resort if you can't sign anyone else. Why would the door be open to a return if you'd decided to not give him a contract?

Is wigans 4th choice prop not good enough to be our 4th choice prop?

Cooper is an excellent addition, pretty much every club in SL and plenty in the NRL would like him in their ranks.

Blythe will play a handful of games next year.

I'm sure there will still be players to come in. But there's not much we can do to replace Currie, I assume he still counts on the cap, we can bring in support to that role, but they obviously won't be Currie standard.

Not a return for 2017, a return once he has got some games under his belt in 2/3 years time, if it suits both parties.

Guardian today suggests that Penny is here next year and sort of suggests (but doesn't actually say) that Harrison is as well.

If Dwyer leaves that means we need another hooker and I think we still need a strike centre. Plus A N Other prop, bit surprised the Crosby signing isn't public by now.

Gidley has 1 on his back
Ratchford 6

Did they play there?

How many games did he start?

Crosby is definitely not 'fourth choice' at Wigan. Arguably he looked better than what we had on display on Saturday regardless.

If he is better than Bailey and Cox then it can only be an improvement.