jonh wrote:
We need a prop, half and centre.
I don't think we urgently need to strengthen, but those are the three areas Wigan will be looking to strengthen if the right players become available.
Centre I think we have covered for a year. Joel Tomkins is doing an admirable job, Carmont is here for another year, Charnley, Goulding and Marsh can all cover. Amos Roberts could hit form and take a wing spot with Charnley moving to centre and Joel back to the pack. That's an ideal scenario.
Halfback is a tricky one. Joe Mellor can't be thrown straight into first team action - not in an ideal scenario either. Too much pressure and exposure to last the course of a season. Gaskell has done well for Saints at first, but his performances have dropped as the season has worn on. Mellor is getting rave reviews at Widnes, so ideally I'd like to see Deacon stay another season to alternate with Joe Mellor. Mellor can work one on one with Deacon in training and learn off him, Finch, Tomkins and Leuluai in training and can have some of the pressure taken off him with the experienced players around him. This should hopefully prepare him to takeover the following season.
Prop forward is the area we should always look to strengthen. Lima, Prescott and Mossop are fine. Fielden is a top player, but has been out for an entire season with injury. If our only depth is O'carroll and Crosby I think we're pretty short and much weaker than now. We've gone with five senior props this season and we've needed them. I think modern RL with the number of injuries/suspensions bound to occur in a season you need five senior props. Ideally six. Leave yourself with just four senior props and you're asking for trouble IMO. Plenty of prop forwards available - I'd make it a priority area to recruit for next year.
