With Lockers probably only having a season at best left in him, who would be your next captain? I'd choose Farrell. He may not have the same talent levels as those who came before him, but he's been a starter right through the riches of the Maguire and Wane periods. He's probably our next most consistent performer after Lockers, so I'd feel confident that his performances wouldn't drop off with the extra responsibility. You never hear of him getting into off field trouble. He's also probably unlikely to leave for the NRL, given that he has stayed with us through his peak. Him being overlooked for England selection also means he can focus wholly on his club game. Other options:

Williams - think he'll leave sooner, rather than later
Leuluai - will retire soon
Powell - don't think he's good enough for Wigan, never mind captain
Clubb - doesn't strike me as the sharpest tool in the shed, not on the pitch long enough
Flower - probably my next favourite option. Just swayed towards Farrell as he's been here longer, and will be on the pitch longer. Plus, the Grand Final incident obviously.

Thoughts?

It’s a worry that we’ve gone from this time 12 months back probably having 4 or 5 viable options to now not having many at all (or the ones we do have don’t have too many years left in them).

If we’re talking somebody long term then I can’t see anybody other then Farrell as you say.

Bateman, when he’s back.

You think he'll be back before Lockers retires? I don't. Plus, the guy bottled his own teammate not that long ago. Bateman is the better player, but I think Farrell would be the better captain.

I would have said Tomkins then Bateman if you asked me a year ago.

Now I’d have to agree with Farrell. Can’t see who else it could be, everyone else is either too young/not a big enough influence, or too old and likely to retire.

Farrell would be a fine choice.

There could be some other left field candidates though like Clubb or Flower.

I’d prefer Farrell as he will be on the pitch longer than Clubb or Flower.

Also need to consider option of a recognised Leadership Team.

Whilst O’Loughlin has matured into a great captain Madge felt that introducing a team of leaders was necessary at the time and I’d be interested to know how much this helped him at the time.

Whilst a bit young at the moment you get a sense that Gildart is another player who could be a future Captain and being part of a leadership team could help develop this.

I’d vote for Zak. Fine captain

From what I’ve been told will be needing a new captain for next season. O’Loughlin going to Leeds.

Manfredi

Give your head a wobble, more chance of resigning Kelvin Skerret.

Ok Wel see. Been offered 60k more and coaching role after it

Terrible business by Leeds if true. If he's being offered 60k more than his Wigan salary - which in itself only 50% counts toward the cap, then this will take up a huge spot on their SC, for a great player, but one who isn't exactly blessed with the ability to do long minutes nowadays.

That's not me saying I want Lockers to go, only that Leeds offering him 60k on top of his Wigan salary is not good for their SC.

Unfortunately he's not wrong, it looks like it is more or less pretty much all sorted. It is nothing to do with pay, more a new challenge and giving the new management at Wigan a chance to completely reshape the team without any nostalgia, also being part of the rebuilding process at Leeds is attractive.

Is pretty much how I see it. Hope he stays, wouldn’t break the bank to ensure he doesn’t. He owes us nothing and is a club legend but his best days are behind him. To lose his influence at the moment would be tough but whilst we’re entering transition anyway it feels as though we may as well get the pain out the way in one go.

He will still have exemptions on the Leeds cap I believe with him being an England international. He’s on media duty on Monday for England so I would assume the questions will be asked

I agree, let’s start with a clean slate. The king is dead, long live the king and all that.

Leadership team not a bad option I suppose. They did speak highly of it, but then ultimately got rid of it and went back to Lockers. Suppose it's difficult to say as we're not there day to day. Anyone know the last team to have a centre or winger as their regular captain? I know Richards deputised as captain but can't remember any team proactively doing that.

Got to be Zak Hardaker

Sam Powell has just been appointed vice captain of the England Knights team for their games against P.N.G. so maybe he will take more of a leadership role at Wigan. I'm sure that would be a popular move with fans on here and on the other site!!

I think Williams and Leuluai will be gone at the end of 2019 and that should be the end of the big turnover of players. Pretty much our five best in Tomkins, Bateman, O'Loughlin, Williams and Leuluai gone over the course of a year. Im sure the club will have been planning for this for a few years - it will be interesting to see what happens. Might be a little break in the trophy haul for a year of two but hopefully we can play with a bit more flair in the meantime.

Yeah, right.... Oh you are a card Rogues. Heads would explode if Powell was ever made captain..