I agree to a certent extent but I think he should be drip fed in to the team, playing underneath a more experienced half back, this year seems like it would have been the perfect opportunity but Madge has chosen not to, so does this suggest he doesn't think he's ready even for first team action, let alone to be first-choice stand-off. Most of the time a player is given their first team squad place, then they break in to the team and then if good enough become first choice, a la Sam. Mellor hasn't even got past the first step yet. I've never known a player get a 1-13 squad number having never made a SL appearance!

We need to look at a centre and a halfback for 2012, seeing as the kids for whatever reason aren't going to be ready for a full season.

Now in case anyone has forgotten, we have an import sitting in the reserves taking up a fair slug of our cap which could be used for the aforementioned purposes. Are we stuck with him for another season, or are we still waiting - 18 months on and counting - for him to come good.

Chase is going to hull fc.Told me himself yesterday in the box pub in leeds

Hate to say it but the saints 6 n 7 next year are going to take some beating,they have played with kids all year and its worked.

Does anyone think our 6 next year may be Amos.

I would be tempted to give him a run there in pre season as he has the pace

It's an interesting idea and he's played well at 6 for the under 20's, but why would you want to deny an opportunity for a player who has caught the eye on dual reg and has bags of potential and also for the current under 20's player of the year. Both Mellor and Powell have been impressive and to stick Roberts at 6 when those two have been working hard to force their way into the first team just doesn't seem right to me.

Hohaia will be in the Saints halves next year, interesting selection dilemmas to come...

Given Saints injury record he'll probably end up playing prop !!!!!!!!!!!!

The answer to that is because the implication of what you are suggesting is that Mellor or Powell are given the number 6 shirt full time. They would not be being given an "opportunity" but they would be being the job full time from the off.

If we [udo not recruit a half back [/uthere is only one sensible alternative and that is to move Sam back to 6 and put Roberts at full back. Mellor and Powell to be given games in preparation for when Finch leaves.

Sorry but that is one sensible option, there are others.

Given that Mellor has been on loan at Widnes it could be assumed he has gained enough experience to be the starting 6 next season but with options of Deacon (go round again but as backup/cover only), Roberts, Lockers or even Tommy as cover in case he does not perform. At some point a young player has to be given a chance (recent history shows quite a few at Wigan who have and the Saints halves did ok against us in the last game for young players).

Obviously the best solution would be to sign a world class half back and ease the younger players in gradually but that seems very unlikely given the current market.

But if we put Sam at 6 he would be fulfilling the role of theworld class half back (not saying he is a world class 6 but you get my point).

As you say there is little chance of signing one so it's either do as I suggest or risk it that the experience Mellor got in the championship is enough to give him the job full time because that is what it amounts to. It is the wrong way around. Having to play Roberts, Tommy or Lockers at 6 because the new kid at 6 needs a break is going to spoil the formation of the team elsewhere (bar Roberts playing 6 but that is a really left field suggestion IMO).

Basically we could see, for example, Tommy back in the halves and McIllorum doing the full 80 to give Mellor a break. Even worse Lockers playing at 6 which is always far too big a compromise regardless of why he ends up doing it.

All because people are obsessed with Sam at 1 in my opinion.

Given next years team as it stands Sam at 6, Roberts at 1 and Mellor and Powell getting a few games has got to be the logical solution that compromises the rest of the team the least. It means Tommy and Lockers can do what they do best and we don't disrupt the formation of the team if the young half back goes off or has to be withdrawn from first team footy if things do not work out.

Unfortunately you probably aren't too far from the truth. On the face of it, we really dont need another half back, but given this year we were down to our 6th choice at one time, then its not a bad option!

Out of interest, what exactly has Roberts done to earn the fullback role?

I'm also wondering this, some people have got him nailed on as having the fullback shirt for next season, taking over from this seasons Dream Team fullback, after only playing 2 games during 2011 and only making a total of 5 appearances all season, not sure I agree if I'm totally honest.

It is a case of needs must. No experienced half back to partner Finch means Sam to 6 and then we must find a full back. Roberts is capable of playing full back. Unlike others I am basing my proposition on players we know we have on the books next year not ones we may sign (which currently does not include a half back) or any other fantasies. I am just being realistic given the squad we will seemingly have.

But why would it make sense to play an out of form fullback in the place of a very much in form fullback in Sam Tomkins just to move him to 6, rather than give an opportunity to one of two in form young halfbacks?

We are Wigan, we can do better than Amos Roberts at 1, 'needs must' isn't a term we should be using, that's a term for the wakefields/harlequins of this world

I know, people seem to be panicking that we havent anounced any signings yet. Last I checked the season starts next February. I'm sure once the season is over Ian Lenegan will have something up his sleeve for us!

There's also the possibility of giving Matty Russell a few games at fullback next year. He has electric pace and beats a man as easily as Sam Tomkins.

Then just behind them straight from the U16's is stand off Ryan Hampshire who has scored five tries and sixteen goals in his six appearances for the U18's late in the season.

Quite a lot of people on here discussing nearly all options for what to do with the 6&7 situation, but before we go crazy with random combos lets look at what currently works and what we have.

Tomkins as a FB or back to 6. We play split halves. At FB he has the freedom to join the line when and how he likes, he's not part of the main structure of attack. He's moved on and has become one of the leading FB in the world. Keep him there when he is so good as a modern day FB.

Pace in the halves? Yes it is better to have, but does anyone watch the NRL? Brisbane operate with little pace in the halves with Lockyer and Wallace, it's about team structure, I feel this of Manly as well.
For this you just need an excellent linking FB (Tomkins Hoffman (Brisbane) Stewart (Manly) and fast backs.
So pace isn't always the game breaker.

Mellor? I'm disappointed with the Wigan set up, for me he should have had a bench spot at times and been eased into the team resting Deacon and giving him experience, if this would have happened and he would have proven to be successful this thread wouldn't even exist.
As it stands he's not ready, no first team experience in the halves isn't good enough, he's not yet a SL player. Too risky for his own development and for the success of the team.

Roberts? Sorry best thing to do is neg a release on his contract to free up some cash. Why he is even being suggested as a 1 or 6 is beyond me. We've moved on and so should he.

The idea of Rangi at Wigan is fantastic, best 6 in British rugby (both codes) Neg for a deal with Cas and grt him to partner Finch, break the bank for a player who is worth it, if not look overseas, bring someone new in who can offer something different give Mellor half the season out on loan then recall him to take Finch's place at the start of 2013.


Tomkins
Charnley Tomkins Carmont Richards
Chase/Carney Finch
Fielden Tommy Lima
Faz Hansen
Lockers
-----------
Mossop (prop)
Hock (prop)
Luaki
McM

For me this time has other issues as well as the 6/7. I'm also unhappy with the hooking role, especially considering Tommy is more than likely off to the NRL at the end of this season. McM is not good enough.

I'd be quite happy with that, though I'd have Prescott on the bench in place of Lauaki and use Hock as a second rower.

Still not sure how likely either Chase or Carney would be but either would be a massive improvement. My only issue with Carney (apart from the obvious off-field issues) would be at the end of next season we could lose our first choice 6,7 and 9 if he only stays for one year and Finch and Tommy leave, which would cause massive disruption and be incredibly difficult to replace each of them, especially with that coinciding with the NRL salary cap raise. We'd have to make sure that the youngsters were ready to step up!

Finch and Mellor

If Carney only did a year we have the option to let Mellor replace him for the 2013 season.
If there is one aspect I'm critical of it's the progression of Mellor and other youngsters namely Russell.

Maybe Mellor's injury is the reason why we've not seen him on loan at another SL club, perhaps building him back up at Widnes is a 'safer' option with his development.

Yeh, I appreciate that, Carney coming in for one season to help Mellor's progression could be seen as the perfect solution, if we weren't losing anyone else, but Tommy and Finch's contracts both end next year. What I'm saying is losing 3 experienced creative players at once would be incredibly difficult to replace.

I agree. Really (hopefully) the club has plans in order to counter the loses. Just when we start playing Tommy in his best position as well!