Perhaps the 'leadership team' was just an exercise to make the real captain stand up.

Either way, as you say, it worked very well for us.

We'd still have a leadership team in everything but name. Lima, Finch, Fielden, Coley, Lockers, Leuluai, Carmont, Deacon... Are all experienced players who've played in big games. I'm sure even if Lockers is named captain all these lads will play their role in our continued success.

[urlhttp://www.wiganwarriors.com/WContent.aspx?id=5571&type=news[/url

Just been announced

Nice to see a Wigan lad leading the team out.

I suppose I don't mind either way and agree with Madge in his statement...

I did like the idea of Joel leading us out at Leeds, Coley at Wire and so on...

Lockers will do us proud though!

Ive been saying for years that lockers is great and the best captain for the club, only to be completly shot down by people on here, and now ur gong to start praising him!
hypocrites or what!

Which posters shot you down and are now praising him?

Perhaps you can be specific, because I'm sure you're not implying that everyone on this board has failed to rate Lockers over the years.

You also need to take into account that Lockers had a terrific season last year, and gave an archetypical captain's knock, which will understandably have swayed many doubters.

So when you name these names, please create a separate bracket for those whose transformation from foe to fan is acceptable.

I dont see it will make any difference, we shall have a number of leaders on the pitch as we did last season.

Completely agree with this. Madge mentions it in the statement on the website. All of the senior players will be "leading" the team its just that Lockers will have the armband, speak to the ref, toss the coin etc. Good move imo

It served the purpose of ending 'the quiet team' and bringing forward a number of opinionated buggers who can be relied on to shout and cajole in times of crisis.

I'm glad the leadership team hasn't been totally disbanded. It worked well last year and although Sean's going to be the captain this year, all the senior players still have a vital role to play, and I'm sure they know that that.

On a separate note, has anyone noticed how highly thought of Hoffman is? In both interviews from today in regards to the captaincy both Madge and Lockers can't praise Ryan enough for his work ethic and vibe around the club, and it's not the first time I've heard such glowing plaudits for the Hoff. I suppose then it's no surprise he's the one added to the leadership team.

Confirmed on wiganrl.com leadership team is still there just lockers as captain

That is the official line form the coach. It would be daft not to have the leadership team given the way it worked last season and its a brave man that changes a winning formula.

I don't think it did any harm in rotating the captain on the day either as it meant Lockers could take a break from the responsibility and the rest of the team would have to be on their toes for the "new" captain. I am not suggesting familiarity breeds contempt but more the changing captain would keep people on their toes.

i think we should have stayed with five cause i think last years arrangement worked better

all lockers will do more is walk the team out and toss the coin..were a team full of captains now i wouldn't worry.

They choose to have a leadership team last year because they wanted more player then just Lockers to put their hands up and lead the side. They wanted to make it a culture thing at Wigan where every player took responsibility on their shoulders for the teams preformences and they've done that via the leadership group.

Now it is part of the culture they can afford to go back to having just one captain to simplify things like the coin toss, the media work and the hopeful trophy lifting because Maguire knows that away from those simple tasks he'll have a squad full of players putting their hands up to lead the way.

IMO this shows what a cunning plan the leadership team was last year. Develop a group of leaders, encourage a number of players to take some responsibilty. All of which was lacking in the previous few seasons. Now we have a grea team spirit, collective responsibility and a figurehead as captain. Maguire = GENIUS!

I think it was more about getting other players to take responsibility than something aimed at Lockers.

This is the right decision and it will be fantastic to see Lockers lead the team in 2011 as sole captain.

its nice to see lockers leading the team out , he is not the most vocal leader on the field , but he leads by example week in week out .

its good that we have a group of leaders though. its always happened in the most successful sides. more than one leader.

This was allways on the cards after he lifted the cup right choice imo

'Sean O'Loughlin has been named captain for 2011, however the leadership team will continue'

Eh?

The leadership team will continue IE a group of senior players leading the team in training and on the field, but Lockers will be the on field captain, doing the coin toss, speaking to the ref etc,

Ssounds like a great plan to me

It's created an 'officer corps' within the team, something we were certainly lacking before.

A very astute move by Maguire.