Agreed - the club's philosophy seems to be that we can "make do" with Powell in the 2nd hooker role. Last year we made do with Williams and they shared the role.



Mind you, we've been 'making do' in the centres and props for a few years now...

I'm with you on this Cruncher. I'm delighted to have Sam and Joel back but even with them there still seems something not quite right. Position wise, I'd love us to go for a half back. I know Smith has his good points and has some good games but I just don't see him creating enough for us to be the top dog. Williams at least tries to take on the line, sometimes too often but probably because Smith doesn't do it.



A big athletic centre perhaps? A big, aggressive, long minutes prop?



We're not far off but someone to bring some magic!!

Interesting at Hull FC. They have 2 big props in Chris Green and Josh Bowden battling it out for a position at the club having spent top dollar on foreign talent. Both are out of contract this year. Josh Bowden is just in front of Chris Green at the moment. Could be worth watching.



Ben Murdoch-Masila (sp) only signed a one year deal with Salford. Massive unit who has looked impressive so far. I know we've signed Willie Isa this year. Could be worth looking at.

Agreed. My suggestion of Chester was more to see if people felt we needed fresh ideas/input for the side. As well as support to Shaun Wane. We have John Winder and Steve McCormack (sp) at the moment. I don't see the fresh ideas coming from them.



Phil Clarke made an interesting comment on Sky. He said he thought Wigan were missing Paul Deacon as their attacking coach. I agree with him. Who do we sign though?



One player I would be monitoring is Kevin Sinfield. The initial thought is obviously that Leeds will be all over him, but I was surprised Peacock did not join their backroom staff. You never know. Tactically astute as a player. Very well respected. I would not mind having George Williams and Ryan Hampshire working with him every day.

It is an area to strengthen definitely. Just a matter of who do we sign? Who is available?



Whoever we go for, we could do with some real pace and acceleration at hooker. Sam Powell lacks speed. McIlorum I only wish he was blessed with that half a yards extra speed off the mark.



Brad Dwyer at Warrington when I have seen him causes absolute havoc when he comes on.

I personally think Deacon was part of the problem before he left. This time last year the skills and attacking options weren't superior to know.



I know I sound like a broken record, but the best option we should be looking at is Tommy Leulaui. Fills anot immediate need as a player and could be combine his role with that of a backs coach as well.



Ironically he could be a Deacon type signing.

First Indian player in SL if you listen to those 2 twonks on sky

Very good going forward but a really poor defender, he missed a load of tackles last night.

Loved Tommy in his heyday, but that was a long time ago, and he's struggled with form and injury

for a long time.

One of the highlights of the whole game on Thursday was when O'Loughlin smashed him when he was returning a drop-out.

There must be some speedy young hookers in Australia! I remember Halifax signing nine Young Aussie unknowns and they were great..

Heard a certain fullback at Leeds is in trouble again. Wonder how many more chances he will get.

If that's true, I'd hope we try to snatch him.



Bad boy or not, he could do a much better job for us in the centres than the current pair.

What makes you think that? Have you EVER seen him pass the ball? No - me neither. Zak may have many fine qualities, but passing the ball ain't one of them.



In any case Leeds won't let him go. No chance.

I've barely seen Sarginson pass the ball either, but it doesn't stop some fans advocating him.



But if it's an issue, we could play Zak at full-back and move Sam into the halves, because Matty Smith also needs to be replaced.



As for Leeds not releasing him, I agree with you there. I expect they'd sell him cut-price to Batley rather than accept a big fee to let him join Wigan.

Looks like Ben Roberts might be out for a while- good chance for Ryan Hampshire to get a halfback run.

Once Leigh have got some cover in Bob Beswick will be moving to Wigan.

This is what I understand to be the position as well. Can't say it excites me but lets look on the bright side, at least he is from Wigan..........

Wane won't rest until we have 17 Wiganers in the team every week.



Why did we let Logan go and then sign an average journeyman from the Championship?

To be honest I'm not against the idea of Bob Beswick. We need cover for a season, and he is decent. We won't get in a world class hooker because we have McIlorum to come back and he wouldn't play second fiddle. Similarly a world class hooker would want the majority of game time, as would McIlorum.



That leaves us with Powell. All we need is someone who is a better hooker than Powell, and someone who wouldn't mind being an interchange hooker in the future. I think Beswick would fit the bill reasonably well. The only problem here is that he is out injured until April time (if I remember correctly).



In other news, I heard we are interested in Lloyd White (now THAT would be a great signing), and we do have money available as we apparently almost signed Ferres. However, I don't honestly think there is anything in the White rumour.

Lloyd White would be a decent signing, but I'm not sure where we'd play him. We aren't going to drop Williams or Smith for a player like that.



As for Bob Beswick ... even though I don't particularly rate Powell, I don't see how Beswick would be any kind of improvement. And this is the problem. We need to improve on many of the players we've currently got.

Heard that this was a done deal a couple of weeks ago. Also heard Beswick is not even injured.

White would play hooker, he hasn't been a half for a few years now.



I usually go to around 5-7 Widnes games a year (live in Liverpool and have friends who support Widnes) and White has become a very very good hooker and would be an excellent choice as interchange hooker when McIlorum is back, and would be a good player in that position for the rest of the year.

Have we switched from being Widnes' feeder club, to them being ours?

Who knows





There are a couple of their players I'd have though.