I think a lot of people will end up with egg on their faces over this. Hope Sam isn't reading this thread, I can only imagine how frustrating it must be sat injured with fans questioning your commitment.

I think it's mostly borne out of frustration than anything else, I think we were all hoping to get the Sam of 2012 back. He's a different player now but still an excellent one (he was never 'just' a speed demon) and he'll be a great asset when he's fit.

I think the major issue is obviously the high wage he commands and having a further 2 years left on his contract after this one. Will Wigan be happy to continue to have such an investment that must be currently seen as a risk?

Wigan made the decision to bring Sam back, we are yet to see him 100% fit which will be a frustration but I have no doubts that we will be a better side with Sam in it. I would be treating him with kid gloves, making sure he doesnt come back too soon and if that happens I can see him finishing the year strong and we will be looking at retaining him rather than releasing him

Fair to say that the swear word auto correct function edited my post also..

Some right old tripe on display on a forum which has had a long affinity to utter knee jerk crapola.

Sams commitment.....

Honestly

I had a post deleted because i stated a FACT, a FACT which i saw with my own eyes but others are allowed to post stuff saying he is committed etc based on........... nothing. I know differently and am also done with the double standards of this board. MODS please delete my account. The anti-don't speak ill of Wigan brigade jump down your throat. I don't post rumour. Anything i have ever said regarding players is the truth. Sam, Mossop, Crosby etc etc. If they don't want it on messageboards then they shouldn't be d!!ck heads when they aren't on the pitch!

Correct.

The one thing you could never question about Sam Tomkins is his commitment to the cause. He's probably the most competative player I've ever seen and has a desire to win which is unrivalled.

I'm confident that for us frustrated as we all are, he'll be feeling a hundred times worse.

He'll be back.

Christ there's not half some rubbish being spouted about on here about Sam.

He's injured. Simple as that, I wish people would stop trying to make him Wigans Daniel Sturridge accusing him of not "wanting it". And all this talk of his wage, how is that his fault? Wigan offered him that, would do you take it if you were offered a wedge? Course you would!

Injuries happen. Part and parcel of sport and life. To hold it against him is beggars belief.

I think the people annoyed about Sam aren't annoyed specificly at him, more annoyed that player taking up a valuable spot on the cap, seems never fit enough to play and when he did looked knackered, just to say I will never question Sam's commitment, I agree he is one of the most committed players I've ever seen st Wigan, but this is is an honest question now and I hope there is some good answers.

Why pay a player high wages, a lot which which will be coming out of Lenagans pocket I imagine, when he is constantly injured and performs average when he plays?. I hope as much as any other poster on this forum that he gets back to his best, but until he does and stays injury free for a while, I think people frustrated with him are in the right imo

Mickey Mac doesn't get anywhere near as much stick, and though admittedly not on as big a wage as Sam, is still one of our highest paid players, and been out over a year now.

to be fair tho MM has had 1 injury

Because Macca has had one long injury on a rugby field which was a really bad one, Sam was injured out on the booze, big difference

after the first injury

He's certainly been a very costly marquee acquisition for your club since his return.Personally, I don't see any beneficial gain to your structure on his return to the playing field,given what you have in place now.

Possibly time to make space on the cap? Or you'll just end up shoe-horning him in.Which isn't good for anyone.

Just out of interest why can't Sam go out on the booze? It's something the majority of young lads in their 20's do, I know I did.

I don't see why, just because he is injured he would sit indoors every evening watching eastenders and not have a life, he is a person and has a life after all and entitled (just like all of us who post on here) to do as he pleases in his spare time.

I'm aware of the rumours as to how he hurt his foot and as frustrated as everyone else that Sam isn't on the pitch. I also accept that sometimes accidents happen.

I'd also be willing to wager MM has been out a few times in the last 12 months too.

The difference is is that we aren't in the spotlight or public eye all the time whereas Sam is, he chose to be a professional sportsman and as such has to live with media attention whether he likes it or not.

I doubt anyone has a major issue with players going out and having a drink (within reason) , sadly some players cannot seem to do that without getting themselves into trouble or misbehaving in some way. There have been many instances at most clubs over the years of players having issues out on the town. Whereas there are probably many other players who do go out and have a drink or two and manage to never get themselves into trouble but these you do not hear about.

Sadly there are many individuals out there who will gleefully seize on any perceived misbehaviour and report it in lots of details to anyone who cares to listen, as a professional sports person, any rugby player should have a duty of care not only to themselves in keeping them physically in top shape (and alcohol is a detriment to that) but to represent the club as well.

This "we should cut our losses" attitude gets me. How on earth do people expect that to happen? If Sam doesn't want to retire, which at his age I very much doubt he would, then he is under contract and unless we sell him we have to pay up and wait.

How many clubs would take a punt on an injured player and match his salary?

If this doesn't work out then I'm afraid no-one is to blame. The club did the right thing bringing him back. Imagine the meltdown if he'd gone to Sale.

If true, as opposed to a sports injury caused by playing or training in an official club session, then he's very lucky.
I know plenty of people who've been injured (not work-related) and been put on sick pay or SSP with their employers: some have even become unemployed.

Have you ever considered that maybe Wigan have been lucky to have the games outstanding talent in their squad for most of his career?

Maybe we should just sack him then, let Warrington pick him up for nothing, then enjoy the inevitability of watching Sam beat us in a Grand Final.

Once he gets over this injury he will spend the next few seasons, probably at half back, proving his outstanding talent yet again. Don't doubt it.

Had the metal plate taken out yesterday.

Aye, no running for a week he's said on twitter. After that I presume he's looking at a couple of months so mid June maybe.

All debate aside let's hope this is his last setback and we can finally see him back in some good form.

Im not.convinced that he will play again this year......

Why so?

Because no-one has convinced him yet....