I think part of Saints problem is that we haven't got a higher gear. Most games this year, fortunately, we have been able to win in 3rd gear, but when we come up against Wigan, and look for the extra gear, it isn't there.

Agreed.

Under performed & been beaten up by Wigan but won every other game post Rush promotion. Both Leeds games, Wire & Cats away weve stepped up matched the top sides intensity & deserved to win the games. Think weve developed nicely since the magic weekend & defensively look alot stronger. Acid test monday night, but the above games show we can compete against the other top sides. Id argue Hohaia now looks settled & finally showing some form, Perry looks fit, big & aggressive again & id expect us to compete next time versus Wigan like we did at home this year which could of gone either way. Let down by some awful individual performances in the derbies this yr, Wheeler at the magic weekend springs to mind. Alot will depend on form & definietly injuries come the playoffs.

Good defence isn't just smashing players about. He was pretty much everywhere again, including at least three tackles which prevented breaks.

Wilkin is an area of must debate in my mind.
He makes 40+ tackles a week, which most certainly can't be sniffed at, but he does have a habit of letting forwards over the top of him which helps ease the pressure of the opp in certain situations.

Then there's going forward. Some times, he's just plain in the way of the half backs, not doubt. Plus, since he seems to now have the authority on long kicking, that takes him out of the forward work for a play a set, as you don't want him taking the tackle prior to the kicking play.
He seems to be busy and getting his hands on the ball a lot, but how much postive affect he's having I'm unsure. He's certainly not giving us a lot of go forward as a back row ought to.

So is he the glue that holds us together, or is he the wimpy kid who gets picked because he tries the hardest?

Wilkin is no Scully but personally I don,t like to criticiise him too much due to the amount of pressure on him or over work. He has one of the highest tackle counts, metres, tackle busts, kicks in general play, at the same time is expected to organise the team due to our lack of experience at half back.
Last night, I thought the Giants closed down Lomax a bit and the responsibilty was given to Wilkin, so a lot of plays go through his hands so he will be subject to errors. Quite often he is first one in to the tackle against the big blokes and will get steam rollered at times, yet his defensive workload is invaluable.
Maybe we should give Wilkin some slack or do you want a near 100% error free John Wilkin.