I'm inclined to agree. I've been stuck in the middle of when I feel the time is right for him to be playing SL, but after that shower of sh*te on Sunday, how bad could it actually be playing him? IMO he's head and shoulders above LuLu (who IMO should be utilized as a second hooker).

If Noble thinks that Tomkins is the "next big thing", like many other people, not just Wigan fans do, he should be playing regularly, very regularly in SL. Can't help but get the feeling that if Noble doesn't give him his chance, he'll take it elsewhere.

McGuire was dropped from Leeds Challenge Cup final side v Bradford or Hull.

Both Burrow and McGuire were brought along slowly at Leeds, which is something I think the majority of Wigan fans want with Sam.

I certainly remember them both playing academy rugby well after they had made their senior Leeds debuts.

I very much doubt Sam will get a look in at Hull. The same players will have to put Humpty Dumpty back together again in relation to what they want to achieve..... blah blah blah...

You cannot be serious if you think Noble won all the trophys with Bradford through luck. A couple of trophys yes maybe but not to keep a team at the top of a sport for many years no.

Why is it that all these coaches who come to Wigan as winners seemingly end up leaving with their ability questioned? Im not having it Millward won all those things with Saints through luck either.

When Lindsay was here he was blamed for poor performances and coaches failing to deliver. People thought when IL came in we would finally be able to kick on and challenge yet it seems since the new management has been in theres been endless rumours of player unrest.

I think the problems are much deeper than Nobles coaching ability. Coaches however good or bad they are should not have to teach pro RL players how to catch a ball and hold onto it. That is basic RL and players who are frequently dropping the ball are not switched on or concentrating for one reason or another.

could someone please tell me what tim smith has done so badly wrong last year he showed some nice touches, this year hes had a full pre season judge him later in the year not one game in for god sake. i suppose after barretts first ever game for wigan he had against warrington he should of been dropped, coz he did nothin that night

I didn't go to the game but from what people have said who were there, all Wakey's tries came down his side and when Lockers was put there, defensively that side suddenly became OK(ish).

It's not Smiths fault for poor defense on his side, but from what I've been hearing (which could be wrong so if it is please correct me) he had a bad game.

they scored one try off a kick, that had nothin to do with smith, more roberts not being match fit. the other try there was 5 or 6 missed tackles one was by smith so i suppose thats why they scored had nothing to do with roberts missing him twice then phelps then im not 100 percent sure but i think lockers missed a tackle

Don't quote me on this, but i'm sure that they said a few months back that mcilorum would miss the start of SL due to injury, automatically limiting us to one hooker.
So surely one obvious solution would be sam tomkins on bench, bring him on at 7 and switch tommy to hooker with riddell off.
Realistically noble isn't going to try tomkins, so maybe have phelps as the other hooker, we need a second choice there.
Phelps's best game last year was when he played hooker, he was everywhere in defence, and took us forward creating quite a lot. That is until he got knocked out.
Noble needs a change and fast, choose, tomkins, phelps or tommy not your suicidal lockers to 6, something that may improve on that dismal effort yesterday or we will be annihilated against Hull and any other side we face.

Faie enough, like I said I weren't there so I can't criticise. However, I don't think the problem at half-back is Smith, I think it's LeuLaui.

Tim Smith will get a load of stick this year because hes filling Barretts boots. The same people that have blasted O'Loughlin for years because hes filling Farrells boots.

In reality Smith should not be playing 6. Hes a scrum half not a stand off. Its already been said Noble was hell bent on wanting Greg Bird this year and he will be proven correct.

After 1 SL game nothin can be said about smith or lulu, lets be honest in to freindlys we scored over 60 points so theres no problem at half backs

I know, Leigh were shocking!

I think we all know that Noble wont make any changes on friday.

Noble, despite his record seems very very stubborn. No other coach in SL would select Phelps, Coley or Mathers after yesterdays fiasco. I bet they all play in Hull

I think you are stretching it Rogues. Both came into the first team far younger than Sam. Sinfield even younger.

The Wigan young players must have a genetic defect that make them different from every other SL club's youngsters.

The problems were evident from the Wire friendly. We only score flukey tries v Hudersfield and should have put 60+ on Leigh.

And Stuart Fielden played prop. How times change.

I doubt Noble will play him tbh.

A depleated wakefield side

would have been the perfect opportunity...and he didnt even make the squad...No Hope.

yeah

The more I think about this, the more I think this is true.

Did Nobby pin his hopes on getting a quality 6 in to replace Barrett?

Why didn't we get Bird?

Was IL not prepared to put his hand in his pocket?

No he was not and Wigan could not increase the cap space in time either

We've been bringing him in 'slowly' for the past 2 seasons. Bring him in any slower and he'll be retiring. He's 20 years of age, how much longer do you expect him to wait before he starts getting frustrated, thats if he already isn't p*ssed off.

If that's the case how can anyone expect Wigan to be succesful if IL is not willing, on the rare occasion, to dip into his own pockets for a world class player?

We do not need World Class players



So people said on here after listening to evangelical speeches by IL and BN

He will not dip his hands in his pockets. The club must be self sufficient. He paid his money to be Wigan's No 1 Fan and that is all we are getting.

Still as long as he gets to be part of the squad photo who cares

From what I've been hearing about the team v Wakey, we do.

Surely, having one/two world class players isn't a bad thing?