Its one of the trademark go to excuses of many who frequent these parts/call the gmr phone in.

Exactly, he is actually one of our better players. Far better than our mediocre aussies like Bailey and Carmont. Just because people have a grudge over him doesnt mean he's a bad player! However, average players like Bailey and Carmont etc. can do nothing wrong! i can think of games where Lockers has stood out, where i couldnt for Bailey or Carmont

Good call sharpy! Im a big fan of everyone having their opinion but seriously, some people on this thread have let themselves look as daft as a brush!
And yes, i do love him

To be honest, It doesn't really matter whether or not he's the captain does it - Being the captain means nothing anymore. Barrett was the captain when he was there - He just wasn't given the title. Just like Riddell or Smith will probably be this year, they'll be giving the orders etc. Regardless of them being captain - I'll admit, it's crap, but that's how it is.

prob think of better ways to put it but people need to get a grip on this board at min im bored of the suicide threads

So why then have a captain at all?

Even Ian Lenagan himself identified that leadership was an issue last season after the Huddersfield game and its clearly been an issue for many years now but nothing seems to have been done about it.

I dont think anybody is blaming Sean O'Loughlin for the games we have lost but a lack of leadership has already been identfied as a problem not only by the supporters but also by the chairman.

There is a lot more to being a captain than just tossing a coin.

Sorry lockers has had his time as captain. 1985 last time since wigan had a poor start like this, lost 3 in a row. Next up harlequins,bradford,leeds,salford.

and that is lockers fault?

didnt realise its a captains job to train tim smith how to fecking defend?

Lockers has never impressed me as a captain, He is a excellent rugby player, but to me he has no leadership qualitys. Like farrell,edwards,bell.

Is this thread going to come back everytime we lose.

There are players far more responsible that Lockers.

get real he had a good game yesterday what do you want the guy to do, he hits hard in defence he is now shouting at the team and leading the team, everytime we lose its lockers foult have a look round the team and have a look for someone else to pick on, hes playin great, just an easy target i suppose

I wouldn't go that far, yes he works his socks off in defence but he made some crucial errors in attack last night. He has played well up until last night though, and for some people to use Locky as a scapegoat is laughable.

Not again!







I wish people would stop Lockers bashing and concentrate on the real problems at the club. These include, in no particular order:-

1. Poor coaching

2. Lack of fitness and conditioning

3. "Some might not be football related issues", to quote BN affecting the sqaud. There really do appear to be major behind the scenes/morale type issues.

4. Poor quality signings and failure to sign players to fill key positions

5. Failure to develop youth talent

6. The culture/ethos of the club now seems to be that second best is good enough.

IL needs to get a grip on things, and fast.

The club has needed a top to bottom clear out for years. Coaching staff, backroom staff and the majority of players need to be changed as quickly as possible.

People keep talking about the need for stability or getting diverted into meaningless sideshows like this ridiculous Lockers bashing when they should be asking why the club is failing in so many areas and why nothing is being done about it.

he made one bad kick, but he was unlucky in the last 5 minutes where he spun in the tackle and went to give the ball to roberts but roberts moved as lockers passed if that pass came off wigan had an overlap, but when your down thats the way your luck goes

If this is true, they need to be made public and the issues dealt with. I am sick to death of off field player issues affecting us.



It has had one, well may since 2000, but since '06 the squad Millward had has almost gone in its entirity.

But they dont play for Wigan anymore!

Thats the past, this is 2009

When I said clear out I was hoping that we would replace the players and staff that left with better quality people, not just bring in similar quality people in dribs and drabs.

To me the whole set up needs changing radically, with new coaching and backroom staff and players brought in who will want to live up to the old Wigan ethos. We also need IL to create that desire for excellence which will then feed down through the club as a whole. Whatever Mo's faults may have been he set an agenda when building the club back to greatness in the 80s which was the Wigan were going to be and remain the best. I see no evidence of that ambition or the drive to make it happen at the club at the moment.

He also dropped the ball twice and gave away three needless penalties. However, up until last night he has been excellent this season.

Odly enough so have Smith and Fielden who also both had poor games last night.

Before I start to say this lets make it clear Sean was not to blame for our defeat last night or our dreadful start to the season.

I have always had respect for Sean, a Wigan lad, with great tradition in his family, a excellant player. But it is clear to see that the pressure of leadership is weighting heavey on his shoulders, take the burdern off him and give it to someone else and let the boy play. The only problem with this is who to give it to, Smith is a talker but depending on him till he finds his form is not right. IMO it should be Fielden or Carmont. There was one point last night I think when pryce scored Smith & Fielden where all over him geeing him up and talking to the other team players, Sean just walked past with his hands on his hips not saying anything. For his own career, reputation and personal performance I think Sean should step down and just concerntrate on playing for the team he loves.

Sean had a terrible game last night. Dropped balls under no pressure, gave away 3 or 4 stupid penalties and threw a stupid ball back and lost us 30 yards in the last set of the game. Oh and the kick out on the full.

Awful performance last night he really needs to learn how to grip the ball



Not a captain never has been but I'm not blaming him for all the teams performances etc etc I just don't think he is a captain.

The captain's debate aside, I don't think too many would argue that O'Loughlin was awful last night.

That is actually a school boy error he had noooo pressure on him and a huge space to kick into.

On the captain front. Who would replace him?

he was his usual e self, can't wait for his contract to end and he gets shipped of to Celtics

And there is a big problem for Wigan and the main idea in which our recruitment for 2010 should be.

The squad needs experienced players with a rugby league brain.

Anthony Minichello to replace Mathers and Matt Orford to replace Smith. Andy Lynch to come in for Andy Coley. Get shut of Phelps and Bailey with Ainscough and Mossop be drafted in.