If we look at the picture over the next 3-5 years and who Wigan would expect to lose compared to Saints, there is no doubt who would look to have the bigger rebuild job on. If I listed our best 6-8 players, I’d say only Farrell from that list is over the age of 30 going in to 2024 (he’ll be 33) If I listed Saints best 6-8 players, one in Roby is retiring, his replacement is 31, Makinson will be 32, Lomax 33, Walmsley 33, Paasi 32, Sironen 30 and Welsby/Dodd have been linked with the NRL.

Now we could lose Field/French as well over time but the older guys like Cooper and Isa aren’t players we’re hugely reliant on, so the core of the squad should be settled and many of the players are yet to hit their peak years. Saints have found one gem in Delaney to add to that player pool and cushion any exits but finding replacements internally or externally for guys like Makinson, Lomax, Walmsley or somebody like Welsby would be nigh on impossible because they’ve been that good.

People are wondering why we have signed so many props,, the week we go into a playoff game down our 3 of our best props.


Exciting time to be a Wigan fan at the minute.

Hope Thompson is given time and hope he kills it for us.

He wanted to much money if you get the Thompson who played for Saints he'll be a great signing if you get the Bulldogs version!!
Plus he left Saints on very bad terms refused to take a pay cut to during covid

How much did he want? So what you are saying is that Saints have the money but were not willing to spend it on Thompson as they thought he wasn’t value for money? If true, it will be interesting to see how they choose to spend it.

As for the falling out, that is water under the bridge. Why cut your nose off to spite your face?

It’s not finished yet.

We are likely to see a number of teams (especially the big players) complete signings as they attempt to close the gap on Saints. The big elephant in the room though is, can Saints maintain their previous standards? A large chunk of their team will need to be replaced over the next few seasons (Makinson, Percival, Lomax, Walmsley and Clark who are all federation trained) are all coming towards the end of their careers and it is not going to be easy to replace them with the same quality. Thompson, who would have counted £50k against the salary cap was an obvious choice. They are going to have to make Welsby a marquee player otherwise he will be off. Some tough decisions ahead for our neighbours.

Some of those lads will be gone in the next one/two years, it is all about building for the medium/long term. Some Saints fans on Redvee have stated that they should be sniffing around Nsembe and Hill but they are unaware that Junior has signed a new contract and that Harvie will seen be offered an extended deal. We don’t want to burn these lads out hence retaining players with more experience for next season. Lads, like Delaney, will be playing more regularly but that is a needs must decision and one that could impact on the lad’s long term potential. Rotating our pack seems a sensible way forward.

Same as Wigan are alledgly paying him.
As for the falling out lets just say it still rankles with some Saints players

How much is that then? Which Saints players?

Well firstly I was laughed at for saying a while ago if Thompson came back to SL it would be to Wigan but hey ho..

Secondly it doesn't matter whether Thompson counts £50k or £1 towards the salary cap, he will still be earning a fortune. Saints can't compete with that and if they are going to pay a wage like Thompson will be on then they'll need to put that towards Welsby or he'll be off to the NRL.

He also left on bad terms hence him leaving mid-season after being the only player unwilling to take a pay cut during Covid. The Covid repayment loans have now kicked in and Saints along with Leeds were the worst affected club.

There's no doubt that we will see some transition now and maybe a few trophyless years potentially but with what we've won recently its not like we've too much to complain about.

I don't for one minute think our Recruitment is finished either. 11 players are leaving/retiring at the end of the season. Whitley will be announced soon and I think there will be more to come. We have some outstanding Academy kids who undoubtedly will be playing first team in a couple of years. Stephens already has a squad number for next season and the one we are all excited about is Vaughan- Lancashire and England Academy captain and will be playing first team sooner rather than later. He is a back rower too. Delaney coming through is a huge bonus, the sky is the limit for him and I can see given his age why the comparisons with Thompson are being made.

I said on Redvee that this could now be a golden few years for Wigan. Smart recruitment, huge investment from a wealthy owner and still bringing talented lads through.

Thats sport, its cyclical. At some point Leeds are going to challenge again, then we have Warrington and maybe the Hull clubs can challenge too.

Thats next year