Couldn't have put this any better myself. Same for Jukesay's post.

Is Wigan the force it once was when (if you had the money) you could buy anyone and make the best team (9 in a row)- no, of course not. That's a salary cap.

However is Wigan still the best producer of academy by quality and volume - yes. This clearly helps us over others who have to buy more as they produce little.

Do we consistently appear around the top of the league, have a run in the challenge cup and get near to/win the GF? Yes.

Have we had poor ownership back in past years that has knocked us for the following years - yes (70-0 75-0). Does our current owner run a sensible ship - yes

Do we buy the right player all the time - no. Do we generally get this right - yes.

If I were telling my fellow southern softy mates to watch RL and pick a team I wouldn't tell them Wigan (who am I to tell them what to do), but I would suggest in Wigan you would be a fan of a club at the sharp end of the season nearly every year.

I dread to think IL ever read some of the stuff on here. If it was me I would say 'sod you' see how it goes without me.

I think there's no question that Wigan's Academy isn't as strong this season. However you don't need all of the team to come through to first team, just needs 3-4 who are real class to step up which I'm sure will happen at Wigan. At any club it's rare to find more than that number within a squad, making it at first team level


Your scholars are very strong which will form the basis of your next Academy

These things can also be mitigated with smart signings (like we've done with Walters), but it's much cheaper to bring someone through though.  

Seems like plenty of our rivals are making moves to bring in new bodies before the end of the season.

We’re desperately in need of a freshen-up, but we’re not even being linked with anyone. Radlinski seems hell-bent on watching the season go down the toilet.


I’d have taken Shorrocks on loan – even if it meant giving Ellis a week off, or moving him up to prop for a week or two. A fresh body, a bit of a lift for the squad, something different.


And before anyone starts with “what about the cap” – how is it that other sides seem able to move players on, yet we can’t? Could Chan not have been shifted? Did we really need to carry Hurst’s contract for a season knowing he wouldn’t play? Saints are being linked with a new signing, but before he can come in someone needs to vacate a quota spot. What are the odds on them actually getting it done?

We probably don't have any cap space. So many players have had their contracts renewed it's bound to affect the salary cap.


Trouble is our two highest paid players and them being two of our three marquee players haven't played for months. French has been out for a couple of months and Thompson since the Catalans game when we also lost Walters.  Although Walters has returned he was out for around 10-11 weeks Thompson still hasn't played.  That is just too much talent missing from the squad  not to have an adverse effect on performance..


If there was a shake up needed then Forber to be bench 9 instead of Leeming.  Walters right 2nd row and Junior off the bench. Maybe also Eckersley to replace Wardle for a couple of weeks so get Jake rested and fit again.


IMO our first 17-20 is the best in SL and by some distance. For that to be reflected in performance they all have to play especially our best players which they plainly have not.  


 

Not a bad shout that but for me it would be Forber instead of O Neil