Ratchford - good young player, wouldn't know how he'd fit in with Sam, Joe Mellor, Stuart Howarth though - would you be signing him as a starting 13? 17? squad player? and how would that affect the others (the next club he signs for will have to pay a myleresque wage imo)
Brough - Player I like in many regards, great kicking and organising game which we've been missing for a while, doubt he'd sign for anybody as anything other than a first choice 7 on a good wage now though. And that's something I don't think we can offer unless we're sure one of the lads won't make the step up.
Shenton - good player who I like, but again any move i'd expect him to be a first choice centre and a decent wage increase so you'd be looking at a replacement for Carmont or Gleeson and a decision that we're sure we can't fill the gap ourselves, in which case i'd personally be trying to target an NRL centre.
LMS - good young prop, seemingly very settled in his current team so I'd suspect any move would be for a nice big wage increase. Could be a possibility when some contracts are up, is he the right choice for the wage though? I'm not sure.
Briscoe - 'defensively solid' but uninspiring creatively fullback, who i'd expect is on a good wedge since he was tempted away from FC to KR. Not sure he's upto the wage he'd command for a move and actually add much more than we've already got.
It's important when we're thinking about new players to think about where they'd fit in, who they'd either replace or block chances for, and the wage they'd command to sign.
In regards to Briscoe, Brough and LMS there defo is room for them at the club.
Briscoe vs Phelps-I agree there isn't much between them. Phelps has the upper hand in regards to attack were as Briscoe has the upper hand in defence. Either way as many have said before the quality of SL full backs is such that both would be better than 90% of the FB's out there. Who ever we chose out of the two I’d be happy either way but it would be stupid not to look at what Briscoe is asking for when his contract is up.
Brough is the one there is most defiantly room for. Deacon’s playing contract is up at the end of season and I truly believe his organisation and kicking game will be a major addition to our team. Now Deacs is coming to the end of his playing days and there is no one who will realistically be ready to fill his role next season. Yes Mellor is a good prospect but with his serious injury and the time out we really need to ask ourselves if he’ll be ready to step up next season. Brough could easily come in on a 2 year deal with another year option and do a very good job for us.
LMS is a player who I like and I’d love to see him at Wigan. He’s hands down better than O’Carroll imo and with both Fielden and Coley off contract there is potential room for him. Say Coley and Fielden leave and we bring in LMS and Bailey those two with Prescott and Feka would make us stronger.
