So, no new signings are on the cards. We look to have a big squad for next year. I cannot remember when we last had so many genuine contenders for game time as opposed to young lads with an honourific shirt number. Some of the support players from this year will be challenged by others coming through. How many back up hookers/halfbacks will we have? It looks like being a year where we have to pick those who are going to make the grade. Some players will have to move on for regular games. The club look to be letting them fight it out amongst themselves.

I think he'll be a popular answer but I say save Gil Dudson.

Another one who'll probably struggle is Jack Hughes. He's had a long time but hasn't forced his way into the team and he'll be caught between the older players who are better and the younger ones with more potential.

Also Jordan James.

I think we have had quantity over quality in certain positions over the last few years. We were massively oversubscribed with props at the beginning of this year whilst we were lacking strength in depth at second row. Joel coming back has obviously helped that.

I think we could comfortably lose Dudson, James, Hughes, Logan Tomkins and Burke from the current squad.

If we lose both Hughes and Burke, who comes into the back row when Lockers inevitably gets injured at some point or Bateman needs a rest? Not convinced Pettybourne or Tauti are mobile enough to defend there and it's very early days for C.Farrell. Flower is an option I suppose but we would still lack depth there. I'd like us to bring in a good young backrower and let Hughes go, persevere with Burke at least another season

If Dudson and Hughes do stay another year, it really has to be the last chance saloon.

I agree losing Hughes and Burke in one season could leave us a bit light if injuries hit. But we have 4 international backrowers who are all capable of playing long minutes if needed, plus the likes of Connor Farrell and Rob Lever are there as back up. Hughes, in particular, has had plenty of opportunities in the first team and I don't see the benefit of keeping a player at his age with the number of games he's got under his belt if he's not going to play every week. He'd be better off moving to a lower SL club IMO. I don't think Pettybourne or Tautai are second rowers either. Clubb and Flower are both capable of covering 13 if Lockers is injured, or Bateman or Tomkins could go there.

Anyone know what the deal is with Rhodri Lloyd? He was looking a certain first teamer a couple of seasons ago, then hardly featured last year and doesn't seem to be getting a game for Widnes now either. Not another case of experimenting with a move to centre hindering his progress, a bit like what we've seen with Hughes?

He picked up a bad injury at Widnes, I think it's season ending. It'll be interesting to see if Wigan retain him as I believe he's out of contract this year. It'll be a shame if we do because he looked a very good prospect. Again a lot of this is to do with the stupid U19's situation.
Anyone with any sense knows it should be U15, U16, U18 and then U21's (or 23's) instead of the U15/U16 combined and U19.

I agree, and I think the clubs do have the option to revert back to u23s from next season. It was a ridiculous penny pinching exercise to move to the current system. All 24 of the clubs competing in the 2 pro/semi pro leagues from next season should be expected to field academy teams at each age group.

There's something about Jack Hughes that makes me want to keep him but I don't know what it is. I think he could go on to be a good player for us but still may need a year or so. I'd rather keep him than Pettybourne anyway.

Players who should leave IMO:

- Logan Tomkins (but he won't)
- Eddy Pettybourne (Offers next to nothing in attack and a liability in defence)
- Gil Dudson (See Eddy + penalty machine and Sutton, Greenwood, Crosby better options )
- Jack Murphy (not fair to keep stringing him along)
- Greg Burke (On Loan - make or break season after injury ridden 2014)

I expect Nick Gregson, Oli Gildart and Rob Lever to feature in some first team games next season

If Jack Hughes is at the club next season then i will consider not renewing my season ticket. Absolutely shocking player.

Surely Eddy's contract can't be up yet? I've not been impressed so far but loathe to get rid of him yet. He can't have played much more than ten games for us

People had decided that Bowen was the worst player to ever pull a wigan shirt on after seeing him play twice so 10 games is more than enough.

Get Brady Mallam back

Pettybourne's worth perservering with but he needs to play regularly and consistently. He's had a tough season with injuries. A quick look at Bilko's site and he's made 12 appearances in 2014, though 8 of them were in February, March and April. He really hasn't been able to put a decent run of games together. When fit, I do think he's going to struggle to get in the side next year over Taylor, Flower, Crosby, Clubb and Tautai though.

It will be interesting who will push for places next season. C.Farrell is a second rower and Rob Lever has played prop, second row, loose forward and stand off in the academy this season. I think these two players along with Greg Burke will feature at some point.

Rob Lever looked a man amongst boys in the recent Widnes u19 game.

That is precisely why we need an u21 or u23 competition

Nah sod that! This team aint anywhere near young enough, get some embryos in!

There has been talk in East Hull that Greg Burke is heading over to Hull KR in 2015. I would guess 12 months loan.

I find the jump from u19 to open age difficult to fahom. Surely this is th age that we should be keeping their development in house, rather than farming them out here there and everyhere.

Other clubs will have an eye on Wigans young half backs and props. There are too many to keep long term but it is hard to tell which are the really deal. It will be interesting to see who Wigan put their money on.

I don't think there are too many that we can't keep them all long term.
Props wise, they are all reletaively young and it's an attritional position to play with knocks and missed games being common place at at Wigan like most clubs. SW likes plenty props and I think he will have eight next year at least.

Re half backs. Smith is the regular and is 27 I think. After him there's Powell, Williams, Hampshire and Doran. All four play half back but Doran, Powell and Williams also play 9.
Hampshire plays full back where SW seems to prefer him right now. Next year is when SW has to find his replacement for Bowen. Whether it is Sarginson or Hampshire will depend on how they play when selected.

Bearing in mind SW often selects 5 props a game and a bench half back/hooker there's not all that many spare players when injuries, suspensions or loss of form occur.

Bit of a harsh thing to say, he needs a rocket up his @rse i do agree..!!

Are you sure your not just using that as an excuse to ditch the season ticket cos every game bar Saints, Leeds and Wire is absolutely crap?? infact SL is crap, the potential of us beating those 3 above is the only thing that keeps me interested in SL these days.