Let me rephrase that then. Vaughn doesn't appear to be a good centre. He's not fast enough for a start and has shown nothing in all those games you mention to suggest he has the tools to come good there. It's akin to saying Faz or ISA are centres because they've played many times there. It doesn't make them centres we would be looking at as a long term solution. I suspect Vaughn falls into the same camp. Is that clear enough? 

As I understand it, he's been signed predominantly as a second row. This may be incorrect information but I genuinely don't see that Wigan would consider him a potential first team centre. We have better coming through the Academy and are, again if rumours are to be believed, looking to sign another outside back. Vaughn's chances of securing a first team berth at centre are low to zero. 


You brought up Douglas being 4th choice winger as a reason not to keep him and then suggest a lesser player being 4th choice as a reason to sign him. Make your mind up! I don't know if Douglas was happy as 4th choice or, indeed, if Sambou is. Neither do you. So why bring it up? All I'm commenting on is ability and Douglas has more of that than Sambou. 


Again, regarding money, I don't know. Again, neither do you. That's why I used the phrase "if you give credence to the rumour". What we can be reasonably certain of, though, is that the combined cost of Vaughn and Sambou is likely to be more than the similarly aged and experienced Douglas. Do you agree? 


My point was simple. Player wishes notwithstanding, I'd rather have kept Douglas than sign  Sambou and Vaughn. As I said, I hope I'm wrong on this and that the coaches have seen something I haven't. 


It really isn't a contentious opinion.

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