I think that's got to be the plan from the outset to be honest.



Big upheaval next year with Tommy, Carmont, Fielden, possibly Finch all leaving. That's the spine of the team there (even with Fielden missing last year). Add them to the likes of Deacon and Coley that we lost this year that's a lot of experience to lose in 2 years.



2/3 youngsters breaking through and a final would be good this year, a trophy would be a bonus.

Asked Fielden on twitter about his chances to be playing the first game of the season..He said possibly.

I think Powell's future may well lie at 9. It's where his career began and although he's predominantly played at 7 of late, those new learnt skills should translate well for a move back to hooker. His lack of pace shouldn't be as much of problem, plus how fantastic would it be to have a hooker with a top class kicking game.

I've heard a lot of good things about Matty Russell, but isn't his main position Full Back? If so, how is he going to fit into the team? Even if he is one of the best FB's we have brought through in recent years he won't take the place of Sam.



Suppose though if Sam is going in 3 years Russell will be the next in line.

Wigan need one of the young half backs to get an extended run this year. Which one? I have no idea, Mellor would have been most peoples choice to step up but maybe Powell is the one to get the first chance.

Powell over Mellor for me.



Assuming (dangerous as it may be) that we'll start games with Finch, Tommy and Mick Mc. I'd hope to see Logan/Powell on the bench in each game this season.

Yeah if we don't get them in to the side with a regular run of games this year I'd be worried for 2013, taking a huge step backwards. Having kids who haven't played hardly any first grade coming in in the key positions to replace Tommy and Finch and expecting them to be ready, could leave us unstuck. May as well have a transition year this year and see them blossom before 2013 where they can take the league by storm ala Lomax and Gaskell did (albeit Lomax played all over their lineup before getting his spot)

I've heard a rumour that Matty Russell has been told to expect alot of first team action this coming season at Full Back. Powell has the capability to become a top class half back and I truly believe once Powell & Mellor both get into the 6 & 7 spot they'll be there for some time.

So Russell at 1, Powell and Mellor in the halves.



Tomkins to Saints?





I'd like to see Tomkins play more at 6 to be honest (from an England POV) - he's ropey under kicks and positionally not the best and I think he'd be more useful in the "will he/won't he pass" position in the halves rather than at FB when we all know when he's going to run the ball.

He's that good a player in both positions I dont think people will ever agree but I think he is so much better from the fullback position, but he NEEDS a decent halfback pairing to set plays up plus others running the right lines so he can chime in to the line in space. He was wasted for most of the 4N because Sinfield and Chase weren't doing this.



From a Wigan perspective I expect we're going to mostly see Finch and Tommy at 6 and 7 with Mellor and/or Powell getting plenty of chances to step in as a permanent replacement when Tommy leaves with the possibility Finch might as well at the end of the season. From an England perspective I think Sam at 1, Widdop at 6 and Lomax at 7 could be the spine of the team for years to come.

What happened to the cockney guy we picked up - Jamie Acton?

We'll certainly know far more about how good our young lads at the club are under Shaun Wane this season than we ever would have under Madge's tenure at the club. No-one really knows whether Matty Russell will be a good fullback, Sam Powell a good halfback until they're given a shot.



Let's hope we find a couple of gems.