I personally hope we sign half of warringtons team and Steve price just so Rubber Duckie goes into meltdown and won’t be seen on this forum ever again

I personally hope Locky stays on for another year maybe 2. He is one of the few shining lights in the season so far.

Slightly confused by calls for him to retire.

Aye bring them home! If Wire lost all their Wiganers they’d be left with their Australians, Kiwis and Yorkies but if they all left that would leave them Dec Patton.

A couple of seasons ago I’d have agreed but he had come on leaps and bounds and is now a very handy back rower indeed IMO.

I do agree going off the first few games but he’s been drilled in to the ground by Lam recently and has looked goosed. His head doesn’t seem right and his Huddersfield performance was just so unlike him, showing his frustrations and falling out with Powell at one point.

Manage him better, give him more rests and I’d say he stays on for 2020. Continue to play him for 60/70 mins each week and he may not see out this season before his body packs in.

I was really chuffed to see Lockers having a go at Powell. Not for any other reason but to see that level of passion at his age and this stage of his career. It’s obvious the current form is hurting the players and that’s a good thing. It was one of few positives to take from that game.

I agree that it’s nice to see he still has that passion but it was surprising tbh because it’s the first time in a 16 year first team career I’ve seen that. He knocked on shortly after and booted the ball away in frustration, so he’s clearly not happy with how things are going.

If at all possible I think it’s imperative he stays on next year though. To be able to do that though we can’t flog him in to the ground this year. He was limping all over the place after the Wire game after being asked to do far too long IMO. Yes things aren’t good at the moment but they’re not worth flogging your best player for.

I kind of agree but at the same time disagree with what you say. But if a player is no longer capable of playing for a full 80 mins or needs to be wrapped in cotton wool to protect him, then it’s time for the player to retire or move on to something less demanding regardless of who the player is. Remember we are working within a salary cap and you can’t pay full time hours to someone for part time work.

That's pretty much what I said about SOL and got ripped on here for it.

Your from Warrington and as such are only entitled to an opinion when it becomes your year.

In fairness not many players playing in the middle look capable of churning out 80 minutes week in week out, let alone one at 36 years of age. It’s only natural he needs spelling more often and I have no issue with a player of such importance being wrapt in cotton wool.

In a strong Wigan side of the last few years I’d have agreed with saying he should probably retire if he needs that level of care but through the selling off and releasing of our best players these last couple of years, we’ve left ourselves in a weak position and we look pretty desperate for 2020 and in need of getting another year out of him IMO. Make no bones about it, without serious investment for 2020 this Wigan side is in real trouble.

I don't think it's as straightforward as saying "if they don't do 80 minutes they should retire". If that were the case then the playing roster across the sport would be reduced by about a third. In addition it disregards an individual players specific merits. Iconic players often have an effect on a team that goes way beyond their individual contribution. Look at the effect Ellis coming out of retirement had on Hull the other week or Radlinski for us in 2006.

In O'loughlin's case it's no secret that his influence extends way beyond his own individual playing contribution which, let's make no bones about it, is still among the best at the club. Every player, coach and even most opposition fans recognise that Wigan are a different proposition with O'loughlin than they are without him.

Given the turbulence at the club presently I think we have to tread lightly with regards to his retirement. Be careful what you wish for and all that...

I don’t see the need to worry about centre, we have other positions which take priority.

I’m happy with a back line of Hardaker, Manfredi, Gildart, Sarg & Burgess with cover from Davies, Marshall & Hankinson.

A lot will depend on what SOL & TL decide to do. If possible I’d look to offload Escare & TT.

Signing a half and a prop have to be the priority.

I love to see Joe Burgess have a full Pre-season and be coached as a centre. A backline of Hardaker, Davies, Burgess, Gildart & Manfredi would do some damage.
I do think budgie would need time to settle in but I think he’s got the size, skill and athleticism to be good in that position with some sustained coaching and practice.