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.