Incoming;
Castleford

Confirmed
Peter M
Oliver Holmes
James Harrison (?)

MEN seems to think Bullock is already confirmed.

Can’t think why I forgot him!

Wouldn’t argue with any of that. Hill is a funny one, I would definitely give him another year, but he may prefer a longer deal on less per season, so depends what else is out there for him. There doesn’t seem to be too many props around.

On Walker, assuming there is no NRL move for Clark he could be around for another 6 years, I assume Walker won’t wait that long for a first team spot. I’d expect him to sign a new 2 year deal, but where his long term future lies is probably tied with Clark.

got to say, wasn't a fan of walker when he came in, he's doing a bloody good job this year, whilst he's not at clark at his best levels, he's getting to be very very good in a different way, his kicking game as well is a very handy attribute.

I agree with this, apart from I have to confess that I was a bit of a fan when he first came. This was mainly on the basis of potential and attitude (standing up and rattling Hill) rather than witnessing the kind of performance level that he gave last night.

Never knew he had a kicking game in him either so a bonus. I was also impressed with his after match interview when asked about the most enjoyable aspect of the performance. It could have easily been about him getting a start playing big minutes and scoring...but no hesitation he said Doro scoring which says quite a bit IMO

Walker must be the most improved player of the season. I have to admit I was a bit dubious when we signed him. I thought we were just falling for him based on one performance where he was fired up against his hometown club. Happy to be proven wrong though, there is far more to his game than cheeky scampers from dummy half, and he seems to enjoy learning and improving each week. I won’t worry quite so much whenever Clark is missing now.

Walker is growing on me, he was really good last night, but can he stop the massive foot plant indicating his intentions before passing the ball.

Walker went through a spell where he was thrown around like a rag doll in defence. He seems to have learned to play above his weight.

Has all the attributes to be a great hooker, hopefully he was the patience to have a few more years as our back-up.

On the basis of his last few performances, we can afford to give Clark a bit more rest in matches.

Well Mata’utia was pretty decent tonight for the All Stars. Man of the match. Showed some nice touches in both attack and defence.

I was quite happy with his signature realistically only really Percival king n gildart would be a step up from him and we also have king so will have 2 good centres in place.

1 thwellis
2 Charley
3 matautia
4 king
5 Ashton
6 ratchford
7 Williams

Would be a decent back line with both thwellis n Ashton not being in big money yet will help alongside moving ratch to 6 rather than bringing in another marquee half just because we can would allow us to get in a proper replacement for hill when he was at the top of his game a marquee prop from the NRL would be great if we can tempt someone near their prime to come over for a few years

.

James Fisher-Harris? In my dreams. Won't be an Origin player though.

EDIT - thought I'd look up his contract status and it looks as though he's just signed a new 4 year contract with Penrith for 3.5millions Aussie dollars.

Who mentioned him anyway?

No one.

" a marquee prop from the NRL would be great if we can tempt someone near their prime to come over for a few years".

I think a prop would be a waste of a marquee spot, the forwards that go from superleague to NRL go pretty well Generally speaking. The backs is where they are massively ahead of us,plus the lack of good centres and halfback in the English game means that's where I personally think marquee money should be spent. Halves and centres, I'd say fullback as well generally speaking but we have Ratchford who is still quality and 2 exciting prospects in Ashton and especially thewlis.

He’s been the best prop in the world this season. More chance of signing Iestyn Harris.

got more chance of signing anita harris (our oldies will remember)

Mata'utia has had a number of very poor games this season.
One good game doesn't offset that.
Happy to be convinced otherwise but I won't be making any positive noises until he's proved himself in a Wire shirt

How does Fitzpatrick have big plans for Widdop? Is he going to work in Shawarmas or the postern? I can’t see how we don’t have him doing all he can for us now.

Probably got him in the wolfie costume booked in for turning on Wigan Christmas lights.

I hadn't seen much, then took a hit of notice when the rumours came out and wasn't impressed but his last couple of matches he's been really good. Ignore the nonsense about him being at leigh and so underwhelming too, never hurt with bryson Goodwin.

I think he will go alright, I really like Mamo but realistically it's better to have a specialist centre. Mamo is better on the wing IMO (I like him a lot though, attitude and effort are always bang on and he doesn't lack for ability either).

You know why you like him on the wing, cos he's not had a run on the wing for a while so hasn't been exposed like he was previously.

And peanut (I've given up on his surname) isn't a specialist centre, he's been shift led between there fb and stand off(and wing) since moving to cas.

He's essentially a Samoan Ratchford

That's not a bad thing, don't think he has the same skill set as Ratch though. Our whole right edge has been exposed at times this season.

Anyway in Powelly we trust.

This also isn’t an unknown signing, there is usually some uncertainty with signings in terms of what the club can expect. With Mata'utia he’s a known quantity, Powell knows exactly what he’s getting from him and he knows why he’s bringing him in, I think it’s a positive move.