What's happened to him? After the Leeds away game this season, I had him down for a year where he finally kicked on and became an integral part of our team, taking on the Sculthorpe role of yesteryear. His defence has certainly improved this year but I'm wondering if it's to the detriment of his attacking play. I've no complaints about his effort but his line breaks have dried up and he just doesn't seem to be as much of a threat ball in hand as he was earlier in the season. Is he being asked to play too much of a 2nd row role?

How can he possibly show his ball handling skills in a team that plays 5 drives and a kick? Because that's all Potters tactics are. The only time we look like scoring is when we pass the ball out, and be a little adventurous, however, that's not Potters tactics and its e.

Don,t think we,ve got many options. We have only one prop at the moment, once Cayless, Maurie and Hargreaves are back it might be different, our pack are just grinding out hard yards waiting for the cavalry.

I keep hearing people moaning about Potter's dour tactics, but the simple truth of the matter is it's very, very difficult to throw the ball around like we used to when we aren't dominating the forward battle and have no pace to speak of.

Wilkin has been played primarily as a running second rower in the past few years. He runs clever lines that work when the oppositions defence is back pedalling on the back of quick play the balls. It doesn't work when the ptb is slowed right down, as he doesn't have much pace or power.

They should give him more ball playing responsibility.

It's not Wilkin's fault, he is still one of our best.

Exactly - see the what's wrong with Potter thread - Wilkin's role is to run at a retreating defence with the ball in two hands. He can pass either way, step or drive. But he needs space. Our lack of front-row means he has no space to play his game in.

Wilkin has a lot of natural ability but is generally over-rated - not a patch on Galea for instance...

Wilkin was superb tonight. Got through a ton of work which once again went completely unnoticed!

wilkins probally another one who doesnt like potter.

Nothing. He's always been a dirty git.

Spends too much time moaning on the BBC about how badly done to stains are instead of letting his rugby do the talking!

Very debatable

I thought that was one of his best game for last few years last night.

IMO he isn't good enough. He's great in a team who is putting 50 points on teams but when the game is tough and close he goes missing.

To be fair he does tackle but that's all our back row seem to do these days.

That's praise indeed from you pete

I'm in honest in fact I don't think he good enough to play fir saints but if he plays well il praise him how I would any other saints player.

Ski has got wrong end of stick saying I have a venetta against him.

As I said though IMO he not good enough.

In a nutshell.

looks to have put some weight on around the belly and looks fooked all time.

He has not put a run of good games together for about 3 years. He pops up with odd good game every month or so.

Before people say I'm avin ago because we are losing games, I've said for over 2yrs now that he ain't good enough.

Don't get me wrong though I don't think he's rubbish but just not good enough for a top side.

I thought he was going to be a cracker but spends more time writing for papers or BBC about how bad rugby players are treated, we shouldn't play Easter bank holidays, need more time off, to many games!

That's my problem though. He's got the skill set to to be having great games where he [iis[/i noticed for the things he's doing. Flannery is the type of player I want you to be describing in your post. Grafting away and putting 40+ tackles in.

I'm really not having a go at Wilkin here and I think he's a victim of our circumstances at the moment. When we have a full team back out in a couple of weeks, I expect him to step up and play a loose forward type role as opposed to the 2nd row bish bashing he is doing at the moment.

shouldn't wilkin be 1 of the guys to step up when we got players out?

After all he is a England/GB player who played in some big games. He should set example to the young kids.

He shouldn't have to have players back to be able to stand up and be counted!

I'd have to agree with that too. When Longy was out he and leon did nothing to step into the breach.

Like Graham, Jon Wilkin who I highly rate has had far too much pressure put on him this season and they both look a little weary at times. If St Pete think Wilkin has put weight on, what about Cunningham each game he plays in he looks bigger and if he is bursting out his shorts. I wonder about the training regime regards fitness.

What pointless comments, as if he is sacrificing his potential by writing for the papers.

It is good to have an intelligent person, who is able to write thoughtful articles. It has got nothing to do with how he performs. On one hand you say you don't have a vendetta, and on the other you pile in unrelated issues to try prove a point.

Have you ever watched his Catalans side? They were one of the best in the competition at promoting the ball. Certainly whenever they came to KR they gave the ball some air even when they were usually blown off the park by [iThe S[/i.

Wilkin is a very gifted player, who needs more responsibility.
He is wasted as a bash n barge player.

I havnt said anything about Potter this year, and was going to reserve judgement until after the GF if we get there,
but his man management doesnt appear to be all that.
He isnt exactly getting the best out of the players.

He had massive shoes to fill in DA, lets hope the guys pick themselves up towards the end of the season.

Hudds seem to have every single player playing to their potential. Which has got to have a lot to do with the coach.