Let's not forget, Saints won that game without Lomax, Welsby and Dodd. Although, it was very low on quality, I enjoyed the last 15 minutes.

They'll be a threat in the playoffs, as they will look to defend their way to the GF. I'm just not sure they'll be able to keep up with the attacking power of ourselves, Wire or KR.

I'm not sure what it is, but they hardly ever suffocate teams in their own 20 anymore. I think they did it once in the whole game. I used to dread when we got the ball back close to our line, as you knew we wouldn't be getting out of our own twenty. Knowles will be sat down for a few weeks, was a bad one and he's becoming a liability.

[quote="Zig":1f7ckf9x]There is a guy ITK on the other Wigan forum, who is very well connected, and he is saying that Knowles to Dolphins and Lees to Wire are done deals.[/quote:1f7ckf9x] I'll believe it when I see it but Lees to Wire makes a lot more sense than us signing him, prop is where they are lacking IMO and bringing in him and Byrne would be perfect. I just can't see Saints letting this happen.

[quote="WWste":4eps3ncm]Jeez that a lot of players. Possibly looking at a further rebuild. What’s McManus said on all this, has he lost interest?[/quote:4eps3ncm] I don't think it's a bad thing, especially considering some of the recent performances from those that are OOC. Should drive some better performances out of those that are playing to secure their future and put us in a position of strength in the market if we are/have been proactive enough to get things done. There are a lot of highly-regarded young players waiting in the wings for an opportunity too, in particular the second year professionals who all impressed with their brief game time last year. Could be quite a bit of transition but that's not to say we shouldn't be competitive if the squad we do have stays fit. Whether the coaching is up to managing all this is another matter entirely however.

[quote="SFW":1d04pbbn]I don't think it's a bad thing, especially considering some of the recent performances from those that are OOC. Should drive some better performances out of those that are playing to secure their future and put us in a position of strength in the market if we are/have been proactive enough to get things done. There are a lot of highly-regarded young players waiting in the wings for an opportunity too, in particular the second year professionals who all impressed with their brief game time last year. Could be quite a bit of transition but that's not to say we shouldn't be competitive if the squad we do have stays fit. Whether the coaching is up to managing all this is another matter entirely however.[/quote:1d04pbbn] Getting underperforming/over the hill players out is great but replacing them is another matter and is even harder if Knowles or Lees (or both left). Every time I think of Wigan signing a player and then look at an OOC list from Superleague, It's startling the lack of British talent that could be available. The best players are already tied up at other clubs. Saints could have plenty of quota spots but that market is far tougher than it's been in the past as well. In short, it's probably the most difficult time I can remember to be going through a major rebuild and I'd imagine the agents of Knowles/Lees probably know that and will be pushing for every last pound they can get for them.

Looking increasingly like Knowles is off to the Dolphins. I don't begrudge him that at all. He's given great service, been here 11 years, won everything there is to win and has the chance to earn some serious wedge and team up with a decent coach again. Lees I believe is definitely being chased by Warrington but Saints are offering him a lucrative deal to keep him.

[quote="Stu M":21ppbj1i]Looking increasingly like Knowles is off to the Dolphins. I don't begrudge him that at all. He's given great service, been here 11 years, won everything there is to win and has the chance to earn some serious wedge and team up with a decent coach again. Lees I believe is definitely being chased by Warrington but Saints are offering him a lucrative deal to keep him.[/quote:21ppbj1i] They would be mad not to. If he goes where does a replacement come from? They will need to offer him marquee money.