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.

I've cut out your part about our coach situation (you are right I agree that is a priority) but on the above I dont see the above as an issue.

When Williams leaves it will be with a big transfer fee. That MUST be re-invested in the squad. Let's stop pinching championship players and invest - transfer fees if required - to bolster this squad.

175k according to the RL press.

Teams wouldn’t give you much for that if players had a decent amount of time on their contracts.

I’d like us to invest that money, the Bateman money and the masses of cap space we simply must have (we must have a good chunk of room already but even more so on the back of the loss of the 2nd marquee spot and the likes of Leuluai and Lockers probably retiring) but ultimately I think a lot will go towards trying to bring down the losses we make each year.

Like Hull FC, the days of throwing money down the drain are gone, SL is becoming a dead duck I am afraid, and it can't be served with plum sauce and pancakes.

We are all fans of a game that has lost it's way. But hey, Toronto, Toulouse and New York will be the answer...

Fully agree.

Owners keep throwing money into clubs to cover losses whilst attendances fall across the sport, particularly Wigan despite the success. If Wigan fans can’t be bothered to pay to watch even when we’re winning, why would Lenagan commit to plugging six figure losses year on year.

I think you’re right,I’d be amazed if Wigan have a marquee player next season as for the fee for Williams I doubt that’ll go anywhere near investing in the side,as for the cap surely there must be space now and certainly as you say next season but again I agree with you it’ll be used to cover the losses that’ll occur

There is no space for 2019

why would these three want to come to a championship side

You would know all about that so tell us the answer?

Just for debate and to get the thread back on topic, how about this...

Main Priority - HEAD COACH; I would say either Jason Demetriou or Ian Watson but I don't think anyone has any clue where IL's head is at!

Offer contracts; Minikin in at #3, Parcell in at #9, Kenny Edwards in at #13, Marc Sneyd in at #7 who are all OOC. Put a good offer in to Fifita at Wakey also but I guess the NRL return may sway him. I don't follow NRL as closely as some but I would imagine we could entice an enforcer type prop forward over should one be available.

Release; Joe Burgess* (contentious), Dan Sarge* OOC, TL & SO'L (Retirement) and look to offload Tautai who is under contract. If we lose TL, SO'L to retirement it is simply a must keep them on as coaching staff!!!

Retain; Clubby (Good value contract), Hamlin.

*Joe Burgess; may well go on a hot streak and make it impossible for us to release him but he is a high earner and with Davies/Marshall/Manfredi all better value for money and Escare/Hankinson/Mullen all capable to cover he is a sacrifice I would make.

* Sarge; simply not value for money, on a good contract and with injuries he just cannot find any form, not a great resigning and to release his salary cap is essential. I think Minikin from Cas would be a great replacement.

Potential 2020 XIII with cover in brackets.

1. Hardacre (Escare,Minkin)
2. Marshall (Davies,Mullen,Hankinson)
3. Minikin? (Hankinson)
4. Gildart (Hankinson)
5. Manfredi (Davies,Mullen,Hankinson)
6. Smith/Escare (??? We are weak)
7. Sneyd (Sammut, Shorrocks, Powell,Parcell)
8. Fifita? (Navarette, Hamlin, Bullock, Clubb)
9. Parcell (Powell, Shorrocks, Ganson, Sammut)
10. Flower (Navarette, Hamlin, Bullock, Clubb)
11. Greenwood (Isa,Hamlin,Paisley,Wells, Byrne)
12. Farrell (Isa,Hamlin,Paisley,Wells,Byrne)
13. Edwards (Hamlin, Farrell, Isa, Kibula)

All "Pie in the sky" I know, some of the incomings may not even be available or even want to play for Wigan but with some shrewd negotiating it could happen. We are terribly weak at half back and relying on Harry Smith or Morgan Escare is worrying but I just don't see anyone else available.

The key is a head coach and if we lose Lockers he must stay on to coach, maybe even as a 2nd assistant with John Winder.

If it’s just a hypothetical scenario I’d respond as follows.

If Lockers feels up to another season, we simply have to keep him.

Minkin? I fail to see any improvement on what we already have and I’d rather keep Sarginson than bring him in.

Burgess? No wonder you say contentious. Releasing Burgess would be crazy not just contentious. He’s by far one of our best attacking threats and is our best winger.

If it’s blank canvas time I’d say we need to tie Lam down to at least 3 years and give him the time and freedom to bring in players that suit his philosophy.

Personally, I’d release Powell first, then Clubb and Tautai. If TL retires and Williams moves on we have some cap space to spend.

We simply have to prioritise halfbacks and we need to go marquee. If Williams goes then that’s where the biggest investment needs to be. 2 top class imports would be my preference as there is genuinely nobody in SL I’d want us to get. Snyed is just not for me (debated in rumours thread). Gale perhaps if he’s over his injury issues. Trueman or Richardson maybe but by no means the ready made and finished products.Only one out of those three.
If we nail down 2 good half backs with Shorrocks, Woods and Smith in reserve, then we need 2 proven props. With the reduction is subs, Saints mobile props are having a field day. I like Bullock and Flower and they’d be my starters next season. We need to add mobility and size which is not easy. A Luke Thompson type would be perfect.
A centre would be my 3rd priority. I’ve said before (not everyone agrees) but with some good coaching and a full preseason I think Joe Burgess has all the attributes I’d want in a centre. He’s fast, big, strong, athletic and can pass to the right and tackle. It’s just his positional sense that needs to improve, hence the coaching and Pre-season needed. If we are to replace Sarginson then someone like Branden Williame or Bill Toupu would be good but hard to see them being released.
Our squad is very left side biased and in an ideal world we’d balance it out with some naturally right sided players.
As you say though mate, all pie in the sky but nailing down the long term coach has to come first. If not Lammy, Trent Barrat yesterday said he wants to coach in Superleague!