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Serious strength in depth next year. My guess is there will be a couple of departures in the off season.


First Team

French
Marshall
Hardaker
Gildart
Budgy
Tommy
Hastings
Burgess
Powell
Flower
Faz
ISA
Smithies

Byrne
Partington
Bullock
Lockers


Reserves
Escare
Manfredi
HANKINSON
Bibby
Davies
Shorrocks
Sammut
Navarette
Bourough
Clubb
Wells
Greenwood
Joe Shorrocks

Harry Smith
Havard
Mitch Clarke
Bibby / Rushton

Loads of players, but seriously lacking quality imo.

I'm not Zak's biggest fan at the best of times, so surprisingly enough I'm not sold on him at centre. Serious question - what he's ever done in that position to make people so comfortable with the switch? If French is going to play at FB then move ZH on and bring in a proper centre.

In the pack - Byrne, Partington & Isa aren't good enough to win the league imo. Not saying some of the young lads are bad players, but they can't compete against the best in the league. If Burgess gets injured then we're screwed and back to this season i.e no size.

Still think we need a 7 and either a good season from Greenwood or another 2nd row.

Manfredi to start over Marshall too.

What has Zak Hardaker done wrong for Wigan he won 3 player of the year awards at the end of season awards dinner he has saved us so many times this season and also finished 2nd top points scorer not too shabby

Guess it boils down to what you're looking for. He's been fantastic in defence, but I don't think he's been anything special in attack.

I'd much rather have a FB that might miss the occasional last ditch tackle, but sets up a few tries per game.

Funny how much stick Sam T used to get from the Wigan fans, but was far more effective than ZH.

I'm sure we didn't sign two players to put them on the bench for the reserves.

The Bibby on the bench for the reserves is Jack Bibby. He is a prop and i think may be related to Jake but came through our 19s

Manfredi in the reserves? If he is fit, he is by far our best winger.

He has to get back from fitness so does Davies.

It was an example of the depth we have.

Players will interchange based on fitness / form

It could be a number of first team players will again only play in the final warm up game due to International Duty and a late return to pre season.

Hardaker will start at fb in the opening game.
Lam has a choice of wingers.
Gildart will start in the opening game as I'd expect Hankinson.
Hastings is a must but who is 6 we'll only find out when squad number are announced.
For any number of reasons I think Burgess & Clark will be starting props. Powell at 9.
Isa and Faz 2nd row with Lockers 13.
The bench will be anyone's guess and a good pre season will determine for Lam who he selects.

Some serious strength in depth but equally as questionable quality in depth IMO. That being said our squad is better for 2020 than it was for 2019. We could do with a few more good additions rather than squad fillers and release some deadwood.

I’m intrigued for the new season to see what our starting team looks like. It’s not as straightforward or predictable as it has been in recent seasons.