This.

I don't see matautia as a good signing really. Still I think we need to judge him by what he does in a wire shirt.

Holmes is better than Hughes in that position, we don’t need to sign (and can’t afford to sign) world class players in each position to win a Grand Final, plenty of average players win grand finals. It’s about Powell assembling a squad to win it, clearly he feels these two can add to the squad and are better than players already here. We have to trust that judgement IMO, including Matautia for Mamo.

I’ve worked in situations where a new boss has brought some of their previous employees into the team.
They are never trusted, because their loyalty is to the boss rather than their team-mates. Everyone is careful what they say around them because they think it’ll be straight back to the boss, and also that they are the boss’ favourites.
Be interesting to see how it works in a RL context.

And not all signings are based on a players ability. These two may well be bringing a work ethic that Powell wishes to instil. I like Holmes, would prefer Mamo to Matautia but it's not a huge difference. Plus if we have Widdop and Williams in the halves we could probably get away with Paul Noone in the second row and Ronnie Kettlewell in the centres.

I'd like to know who they are replacing, it would help to form an opinion.

I see now why you're so warmly received on the Wigan board.

A lot of the current Warrington first team won’t be here next year anyway, so if your theory is true it’s not going to make much of a difference when most of the players are in a new environment.

I doubt there will be any spilt in the camp.

This wins the internet for me today!!!! Genuine lol.

I could see Lineham going and Mamo taking the wing spot outside of Matautia. Heard it's a done deal with Cas re: Mamo but i wouldn't mind him staying considering Matty Ashton hasn't had a season without injury and looking at the wingers across the league OOC this year.

I don’t think I’ve posted on the Wigan board for a very long time,
When I did, it was to point out that Zak Hardaker was a risk - within days this was proven true with his drink driving incident.
I also think I commented that Mitch Clark was very poor - I notice he has moved to Gateshead today, so that’s pretty much proven to be correct too.
To be honest, I just speak the truth. In this case, having watched them every week, you’ve signed a bang average centre and a good but injury-prone back-rower. Both of whom will be seen as Powell’s favourites and his spies in the camp,