I agree with people earlier on, Tommy's best position is at 9. It's where he plays best for New Zealand and where I've seen him play best for us. When McIllorum was injured earlier in the season we used him at 9 when Riddell went off he was attacking the line with the scoots from dummy half and got us moving forward.

For some reason when he plays at 7 he doesn't seem to attack the line as much. He's scored some great tries for us when he's attacked the line, and makes some breaks, but just getting the ball and passing it on nullifies all that.

I don't know whether that's the way he's coached as in, "when you're first receiver pass it along the line" but if he starts attacking the line more we'll see the best in him.

The fact that you have to rely on him says more about the poor quality in the rest of the team rather than his own ability, he's only a kid FFS.

Just shows which areas we need new signings.

1-2 props and a scrum half IMO

There is to much on his young shoulders to soon

Correct.

I think he may off been trying to hard to be honest, and he was crying at the end of the game - shows he has the passion.

I thought Sam Tomkins had a good game and I am baffled by how people said he didn't show up. His defensive effort tonight was nothing short of outstanding. Saints ran at him all game and he stood strong. I said at the time to a mate of mine that he has ran his blood to water and that we need every player to do so.

Behind a beaten pack he was still a threat. It was his high kick that caused Ade Gardner trouble and we scored from it.

The lad has had an outstanding season and should be named young player of the year he fully deserves it. His passion for our side was there for all to be seen at the end of the game.

If anyone can leave that field with no regrets it's Sam Tomkins.

Agree that Sam played his heart out behind a beaten pack. He is one of the last players that should be criticised for last night's game. All in all it was a good team effort bearing in mind the disruption that must have been caused by Mcllorum's late withdrawal.
We need to kick on now. We had 8 players aged 24 or under in our side and just 3 aged 30 or over - Fielden, Coley and Carmont. Saints maturity and experience both physically and technically with 6 players aged 30 or over and only 5 aged 24 or under made the difference for me.
Wigan are well positioned for the future. It's vital that we get the right coach to bring all our young talent on.

how can you say that he didnt show up? he gave his all for 80 minutes and last night like the rest of the season he was playing behind a beaten pack. no half can perform with out space and a pack that is moving forward.

Very unfair to say Sam Tomkins didn't step up.

The only differences between the two sides last night were St Helens 'big game' experience, and a couple of avoidable errors by Wigan.

If anyone wants criticising (and by than I mean dropping from a great big f*cking height) it's that waste of space liability Amos Roberts. He is f*cking shiit.

Incorrect.

No matter how well-intended, starting a thread that basically singles out one player for yesterday's defeat - especially a young, very promising player - is more than a little ridiculous and likely to do more harm than good.

Speaking to a saints fan he said he only got nervous when 3 players had the ball, one was Sam Tomkins. He is always a threat and I think some of his defence was brilliant, he makes it easy for himself with great positioning.

I didnt see him crying at the end

TBH, I sh*t a chicken every time Tomkins steps and jinks. He has great footwork, and it was again on display last night.

He did his best, as mentioned, we targeted him in attack, and did our best to bully him in defence. He stood tall and was a shining light for the Wigan side.

His step and swerve NEEDS someone beside him to take some responsibility and take the pressure off him.

How the deuce did Leului stay on the field, he looked to to be crippled after every hit up. Tough character.

What a bull$hit thread this is, of all the players you could possibly lay the blame on he's got to be at the bottom of the list.

There's no point in naming names we all know the weak links in are team and until there addressed we'll for ever suffer.

He sure is. He is so strong as well.

Some people on here know nothing about league.

Not at all. But thanks for your opinion.

With Tim Smith we wouldn't have been in the 8.

Maybe maybe not.



The point I am making is that it was obvious last night that ST is a fantastic prospect and a good player, but needs to improve a lot before he gets to the the level that some on here think he already is at.

Riddell was the most disappointing attacker yesterday for me. Riddell can offer us so much when he actually performs IMO and in such a big game he should have been firing on all cylinders but was very ineffective.

Sam and Leuluai were not superb neither I grant you but Sam was certainly the most threatening last night. Tommy yet again proved that he isn't a SH and O'Loughlin offered us little from LF. Saying all that Wigan still had great chances to take this game and bombed them so collectively they need something or someone to take them to the next level.

coley,,,fielden,presscott,pfffttttttt,,say no more,theres ur problem they couldnt get past me mum,

But that wasn't quite the point you made, was it?

You originally said that Sam needed to step up and didn't. You also said that he isn't the answer to our no. 6 problem.

You added in later posts that you feel he's a fantastic prospect, presumably because people were getting on your back over it. You may genuinely believe that, but that wasn't the implication of your original post.

What do people think of lockers performance? I thought he played his heart out x

Our best player i thought. He was everywhere in attack and defence and looked our most dangerous player close to the Saints line.

It's just a shame not all the players could follow the lead set by him and Sam Tomkins. I thought both were outstanding in effort terms and did everything they could to drag the side with them.

I thought like Sam Tomkins they both played very well. You can't question their commitment or passion and they can be very proud of their performance and the season they have had. xxxx (L)

Spitting at young saints fans.

Hes a classy lad that Tomkins aint he.