I like conceding trys tbh so i'd bring Smith back in



McIlorum went well tonight i thought. He put some punishing hits in defence.

Do not disagree, but in the current team i feel Tomkins is better suited to 7 and TL to 6. I had hoped to see Smith play 7 and TL play 6 at the start of the year. Tomkins and Smith are organisers, TL is a bit more off the cuff and the best aspect of his game is his ability to beat a man in open field with direct running.

Last year we used the link a lot not playing 1 half down 1 side 1 down the other. TL basically fed Trent and did not much else. I would like us to use that link this year but use TL as second reciever as he has a strong running game in the context of our team.

because I have thought about it and Noble hasn't that makes it an idea



Besides Smith would of given us a better array of attacking options McIllorum's distribution is poor, although Smith couldn't bring dont a drunken gran, he can still throw a pass better than anyone else in our squad.

Smith came of the bench at Salford. Noble has thought about it and tried it, Smith doesnt deserve a place in our first team. End of chat.

Bench not 1st team, we dont create that you have to admit is true. Smith gives use options. He is weak in defence but not using TL as a 9, is crazy when Riddell is knackered we should shift TL to (, and bring in smith @ 6. McIllorum is not IMO up to SL standards. If you cant see that then your chat! Is not worth listerning to, sunshine

Can I have what you're smoking?

sam shown some touches of class tonight! he needs to keep developing like he is doing and him and kyle will be the halves for england for years!

Give him a chance!

I thought he was fine tonight. His long range kicking was certainly more effective than TL's who sent several right down the throat of the wingers. In contrast Tomkins more often than not spilt the defence or turned the winger.

Dave

Not a stand off we need but a real 7.

Sam's doing a good job at 6, a great job considering his age. The similarities between him and edwards are there for all to see.

Get in a good number 7, no disrespect to Tommy, but he's a better 9. Get a 7 who can organise the team ready in attack, Dobson or Orford would fit the bill.

I thought he played well tonight.

7 is the issue not 6.

Agreed.

Dave

Exactly the same position in the modern game, only diff is feeding the scrum.

I still maintain you could put any half back you want in our team, and we would make them look average. Our off the ball movement, and flat line are an embarrassment, we offer the halves little no options, and without options and half back can be made to look poor.

The issues run far deeper than Tomkins, or Leuluai, and until we sort out how we play as a team, swapping half back won't make a shred of difference.

Sarcasm not reached your mud hut village yet, mate

Most people can see what Wigan need to do long-term.

Bring in a new 7. Put Leuluai at 9.

Tomkins can be special but he needs the right partner. Leuluai although he has great strengths isn't that man.

I agree but with Tommy OOC and McIllorum under contract, can we do that?! Or would we be able to find someone to take McIllorum off our hands or indeed on loan for a couple of years, similar to Saints with Moore?

I wudnt pick mcllorum n when spelling riddell bring backrower on bailey out to centre gleeson to 6 Sam to 7 and tommy to 9

I thought McIlorum had a good game. Fantastic in defence.

seriously - this thread is pathetic

tomkins had a superb game last night (particularly in his kicking) and imo looks the real deal. Give the lad a break!

Its cear we are not going to win anything this year unless someone knocks saints out of the cup, so its the perfect time to let him have a run of games, thats the only way he will improve

I agree. Our problem tonight was not down to the individual halves (both of whom put in good performances I thought) but a collective lack of organisation and attacking tactics in good field position. Whether that's down to a lack of on-field leadership or poor coaching (or both) is hard to say.

Not taken too long for people to start to question Sam has it



Give the lad a chance before slating him and eventually destroying him, he had a tidy game last night and did very little wrong. His kicking game imo was the best of our two halfs.

There's Myler at Salford as well, some good young talent about.

People on here saying tomkins aint ready yet needs there heads testing

The lad as shown real quality but dont forget he's played what 6-7 games now in the 1st team let the lad settle in and get off his back

Ever game he will just get better and better

It depends if you play with a split or 2nd receiver football. Defo not the same position.

They operate down either side of the field in the modern game, and rarely do we see them link like you'd see halves do 15 years ago. I've heard and read alot of coaches, inclduing Noble state how they operate 1 half down each side. How you maintain there's a difference is beyond me.