If any proof were needed... : Tue Apr 25, 2017 12:33 am  

of Sean O'Loughlin's importance to this club, then Sunday's game had it in spades. 38 points scored when he was on the field, just 4 when he was off. 22 points scored against us when he was off, ZERO when he was on. Statistics don't always tell the full story but in this case they most definitely do.

Re: If any proof were needed... : Tue Apr 25, 2017 8:48 am  

I was dubious of his continuation in the England side as an outsider (not because I dont rate him) because I though with his niggles and age he might not even get on the pitch come the world cup. From what I've seenthis year and read on here i'm glad he wants to go out with a bang with a world cup. For me a pack of Graham, Hodgson, Hill, Sam Burgess, Bateman (although we know Whitehead will start) and O'loughlin gives us so much grunt and a great chance to get on top. Also his interlinking play as well as Grahams could give us a massive chance if we use the second phase correctly. As much as John is a fantastic player and seems to be your next 13 in waiting he will have some massive shoes to fill

Re: If any proof were needed... : Tue Apr 25, 2017 9:33 am  

Phuzzy wrote:

of Sean O'Loughlin's importance to this club, then Sunday's game had it in spades. 38 points scored when he was on the field, just 4 when he was off. 22 points scored against us when he was off, ZERO when he was on. Statistics don't always tell the full story but in this case they most definitely do.

Was just a coincidence, we won't miss him

Re: If any proof were needed... : Tue Apr 25, 2017 10:21 am  

thepimp007 wrote:

I was dubious of his continuation in the England side as an outsider (not because I dont rate him) because I though with his niggles and age he might not even get on the pitch come the world cup. From what I've seenthis year and read on here i'm glad he wants to go out with a bang with a world cup. For me a pack of Graham, Hodgson, Hill, Sam Burgess, Bateman (although we know Whitehead will start) and O'loughlin gives us so much grunt and a great chance to get on top. Also his interlinking play as well as Grahams could give us a massive chance if we use the second phase correctly. As much as John is a fantastic player and seems to be your next 13 in waiting he will have some massive shoes to fill

Indeed. That's a pack to mix it with any.

Just a little more on whether Lockers is worth his place. I understand the risk regarding his coming to the end of his career and the injuries that go along with that but it's telling that yet another coach has made him Captain. It's also no coincidence that Wigan will put him straight back in for a final even if he hasn't played for some time and is carrying an injury! We have just won 3 on the bounce with him back in after not being able to buy a win and it certainly isn't due to any improvement in the clubs injury situation. If anything, you could make a fair argument that it's got worse!

[Wigan6/Leeds1 Andy]

Re: If any proof were needed... : Tue Apr 25, 2017 2:06 pm  

Can people please stop biting on poor trolls like Leythersteve and ruining threads.

Re: If any proof were needed... : Tue Apr 25, 2017 2:57 pm  

The Whiffy Kipper wrote:

Was just a coincidence, we won't miss him

Ignore this comment, i've obviously got you mixed up with somebody else i used to know over on Mikes site

Re: If any proof were needed... : Tue Apr 25, 2017 11:06 pm  

The worry is what we do when he does retire.

He's our most influential, if not best, player.

Re: If any proof were needed... : Tue Apr 25, 2017 11:30 pm  

The Whiffy Kipper wrote:

Ignore this comment, i've obviously got you mixed up with somebody else i used to know over on Mikes site

Haha. No problem. I just took it as a generic comment aimed at the Lockers knockers (if they still exist!)

Re: If any proof were needed... : Tue Apr 25, 2017 11:39 pm  

P-J wrote:

The worry is what we do when he does retire.

He's our most influential, if not best, player.

Without question our most influential player and on another level to anyone else in the team even though some could be regarded as better players at least in individual aspects of the game.

We were discussing this at the game and the conclusion was there was no single replacement who offers everything Lockers does and definitely not to the same level across the board. I think we will need to approach the issue from a different angle and look for several players to take up the slack rather than looking for a ready made solution in one individual player.

It will also need a rethink in how we play as I don't see anyone at the moment who could take that '3rd pivot' role.

Re: If any proof were needed... : Wed Apr 26, 2017 6:45 am  

Maybe we could go with Gary Schofield idea and bulk Sam Tomkins up to play at loose forward!

Apparently he's not got the pace for fullback and he isn't creative enough to play in the halfs so unless he does that his career is finished.

You've got to love Big Gary's attention seeking!