Just wondered what peoples opinions are on Tim being given a chance at Scrum - half which i am told is Tims natural position with the option of then moving TL to hooker which occured in the World Cup?

This way Wigan can continue to give an opportunity to Tomkins.

Has Smith ever played at the scrum half position yet?

Once against Wakefield when we opted that same ploy except for O'loughlin was at stand off and not Tomkins.

Which hooker would you drop, and why?

Personally i would drop Mclorum and see how we fare with TL as a back up hooker, the reason being as it seemed to work wonders for New Zealend in the World Cup.

I would like to see this against Salford...

6. Tomkins
7. Smith
9. Riddell

Sub. Tommy

If Smith is going to play a game then I think the Salford game is a good time to do this. Bringing Smith in means we can either use Tomkins or Tommy off the bench with Tommy going to hooker.

Also when he has played there this season, we have looked a totally different team, with much more energy and more dynamic, and he seems like he has more energy there than any of the others (appart from riddel in the bradford game).

tim shouldnt be given a chance unless one of them gets injured im afraid.

hes too much of a defensive liability to have in the team

Riddell or McClorum both don't deserve to be dropped. Simple as that.

No need to change around the team cos of the leeds game. We were caught cold against the champs. If anything Sam and Tommy need time to gel their game.

Correct

If only there was a way where we could keep Smith out and have Tommy at hooker

Dropping Riddell/McIlorum would be an awful call IMO both are playing fantastic.

Tim Smith need's to buck his idea's up, and force his way into the team, force Noble to pick him. Whether that be due to injuries or just poor form.

I agree they dont need to be dropped, but I wouldnt agree with McIlorum playing fantastic, hes done the basics well but hasnt been outstanding.

I think the Salford game is the best game to play Smith because the CC game wont be a real test against Barrow. Tommy as replacement hooker is far better than McIlorum and Smith as a scrum half on his day is far better than Tommy.

So I would play Smith v Salford only thing I cant decide is who should start on the bench, Tommy, Smith or Tomkins?

Couldn't care less if Smith never played for us again.

Thats abit harsh, he is a quality player but he lacks confidence and his defence has been poor.

He would come good playing scrum half but would he be better tha Leuluai, I have no idea tbh.

Is he?

I don't watch the NRL but I have seen nothing in his time at Wigan to suggest that he is a quality player. He can't seem to do the basics right - tackle.

His passing is brilliant, some of the best hands in the league he has. He showed some great moments last season, and he often looks like he is going to do something but never quite pulls it off like Barrett used to. I think it could come for him in time though.

I don't think Smith will ever make it at Wigan

His attack is nothing special and his defence is nothing short of awful

I am a big Tommy fan so obviously think he would go a lot better than Smith, he needs to be played at hooker to get the best out if him though (but thats for another day

)

Also as far as I see it now we have our half back combo for a few years with tommy and sam, they could be wigan half backs for years to come.

I like many question Tommy at 7 though

Do you think he can take us to the next level at 7 with a youngster as his partner?

But it's no good having great hands if you can't tackle.

He also so far this season has not been match fit which I believe to be part of the problem with his tackling. He kept telling Roberts to come inside and let him go out on the wing for a breather.

Plus putting Smith back in the side would be changing our halfback combination again. How can we expect to have any cohesion in attack when we keep changing our halfbacks every other week?

Saints and Leeds have had the same halfback combination for years - to great success. Pryce/Long & McGuire/Burrow. We should follow their example and allow Leuluai and Tomkins to better understand each other. Afterall they are our likely combination for future years anyway.

Leuluais distribution on friday, when we had the chance, was awesome and it was exactly what we want from our 7. I think tommy has the ability to become a world class 7 or 9 to be honest. he is not afraid to take on the line and he has a very good kicking game which is needed from your 7. Someone must see something in Tommy when he made his debut for New Zealand at 7 when he was 19.

In response to your question, Yes I do think Tommy has the ability to take us to the next level with Sam as his partner, dont forget they are both young half backs which is a positive as they will pick each others game up as the year passes. I recall last year, Tommys best game was against leeds away in the league, and he was a pleasure to watch. He was playing with a young half back- Coyle on this day because Trent was injured, and he stepped up to the plate and led us around the park.

I want to see him given the chance to shine at 7 because it leaves us with another very talented player at 9 in McIllorum and dont forget the 3rd tomkins who is also coming through as a hooker. With our squad at the moment it is definately best for us to keep Tommy at 7 as he is definately the best option we have.

tim smith dose nt deserve be in the team but this is what he can do an im sure he must of tackeld in the nrl

In 2005, he won the prestigious Dally M Rookie of the Year award after leading the NRL in try assists. He also received much acclaim from Parramatta legend Peter Sterling, who "handed over" the Eels #7 jersey in an episode of The NRL Footy Show in the middle of 2005. Tim has been touted as the most naturally skilled halfback in the NRL with the ability to land precsion kicks and passes with incredible accuracy. With 40 try assists in his debut season Smith entered the NRL scene with a bang, he was labeled as the next 'Joey' and 'Sterlo'.

he ll have to fight for a place

and then he had a break down! its seriosuly effected someone who was a fantastic talent and I feel sorry for him. Hopefully being in the reserves brings out the best of him and he comes back into the side, if he does, a better player

I agree he has the potential but I think he blows hot and cold to much when playing 7 and have always thought he'd make a miles better 9. His long kicking game is another thing that concerns me for him to be a top 7. If he had a good long kicking game I would agree he could take us to the next level but I think he went missing a bit on Friday when it came down to the long kicking game because he left it all to Pat

He was fantastic against Leeds away last year though and I do think he plays better when he is our main half back

Smith is a great talent and needs time in the team for the others in the team to get used to his passing moves. Smith was Man of the Match against Hull in my opinion with some of his kicking and passing, and if we are going to keep him he might as well play. If I were Noble I'd rest/drop Piggy for the Salford and Barrow games, sending him the message that he isn't indispensable and needs to work hard to get picked. I'd make him lose a few pounds and get fit by giving him some intensive training and playing him in the reserves for a couple of full games. Meanwhile I'd have Smith and Tomkins at half back and Lulu and Mcilorum at Hooker. The theory being we get a more determined Riddell, give Smith a chance to prove his doubters wrong and let the whole team know that if they don't perform they might get dropped.