I think now's the wrong time to make judgment - let's assess once the new coaching staff have started to implement a new gameplan*

For all we know, the Simmons tactics may have been to use Wilkin as nothing more than cannon fodder



* this assumes there will be a new gameplan, because if there isn't we're shafted anyhoo

Given the way things have gone this season so far and the apparent discord behind the scenes I think it's incredibly unfair to lump too much criticism onto any player right now. Let's see how he and everyone else goes over the rest of the season with the alleged back-monkey now removed and then start the knife-sharpening.

No one disputes whether Wilkin is putting the work in. It's his leadership and direction, or lack thereof which is in question at precisely the time when we need both the most.

What specifically is he not doing? I'm genuinely interested in to what this would constitute in your eyes? Bollocking the rest of the players behind the sticks is one I would agree with although I'd say it's more Wellens' job as captain. Other than that, if you're suggesting he should be dominating games from first reciever or pushing our half backs out of the way to direct the team around the park, then I can also see a point but I don't think the rest of the team, especially Gaskell and Lomax, would particularly appreciate it. Would it not be counter productive? I would suggest that Royce has asked him to fulfil a role that isn't getting the best out of his potential this year and I'd hope that Rushy and KC will give him a little bit more responsibility in guiding the team around the park.

What about consistantly offering himself as a running option to the young half backs? They've been the two to suffer the most with our lack of structure.

Fair enough, maybe he's not made as many runs as he normally would. We'll see if that improves under a new coaching technique.

I'm not having a go, but he is supposed to be one of our smarter players. For intance , if he spent the whole game offering himself as a simple runner on Lomax's inside, it would help immensly. Saying that, if he's had different instructions.....

Couldn't agree more! Especially with your last sentence.

I find this a strange criticism, given he probably offers himself more than any other player in the squad, whilst running himself into the ground in defence.

Think I must watch a different player to some on here at times.

Wilkin has been misused by a succession of coaches at Saints, and as a result, we have never seen the best of him. He was singed as the "new Scully", but has never yet been given the 13 shirt. I think that sums up how he has been treated. Hopefully, the change of coach can bring our the best in Wilkin, give him the 13 jersey, as a traditional ball playing, kicking, loose forward in the Sinfield, Scully, Harry Pinner mould, and lets see what he can do. Otherwise, he will end his career as a player who never fulfilled his potential due to mismangement. I belive we are lucky to have retained him, he could easily have gone elsewhere for a regular 13 jersey.

Wilkin doesn't deserve individual criticism IMO, I'm just spitballing as to ways our current plight could/will be solved.
Whilst I agree he is a willing runner, it would have shown good ingenuity if he'd taken the decision to move in field from his usual wider line to play the role I mentioned. That may have helped pull in the defence more in the last couple of games.

Exactly.