Without a doubt it's pretty obvious his confidence is shot.. He was fantastic In his 1st season, he hasn't become a bad player overnight.. Maybe a bit of crowd support rather than abuse on forums and Twitter wouldn't go amiss..

Forums is fair game anyone has the choice to come on here and form an opinion, direct messages actually at him though, really? Leave that to Smith Poching and Marshall.

Yes, I don't think anyone on here wants to hound either player out of the club but sport is a results-based business, and the players, coaches and clubs are judged on performance and results. It's also a squad game and, if TS continued to pick players that are abundantly out of form, it sends a very bad, destructive and clear message to players competing to get into the match day 17.

None of this is a knee jerk - Atkins hasn't performed for eighteen months and Myler has probably basked in the reflected glow from Briers for so long, he now feels like a rabbit in the headlights.

When I looked in the face of Waterhouse (a player himself some people would happily have chased all the way back to Manchester Airport) on Friday, I saw frustration, anger and annoyance. When I looked at Atkins and Myler I saw incomprehension and fear.

He has become a bad player over the last 12 months... This isn't a one off game is it?

I've been a big fan of his and ive been thinking he will come good... But there is only so long you blindly support someone on the basis of form showed over 2 years ago.

Personally, I feel if any sportsman chooses to go on social media, then they need their heads testing and deserve all the abuse they get, for being so naïve as to believe all interaction will be of a positive nature.

On an individual level, Atkins was probably quite happy receiving positive adulation when things were going swimmingly, now, when he is receiving abuse, he needs to either man up and take it on the chin, or get off there immediately.

I don't think he's commented on the criticism, that's my opinion, interacting with fans is a good thing, why have the odd numpty ruin something most decent people enjoy.

I agree that, in theory, fan/superstar interaction is a fine idea - In reality though, people like Atkins getting abuse is a totally predictable outcome, because its simple human nature.

People are stupid, people multiplied by the internet equals even stupider

..... I think you have just bashed that nail very forcibly on the head.

Where did is say it was a one off game? Enjoy booing him from the south stand if you think it will help..!

south stand?

How uncouth

How disgusting to vilify any player through the anonymity of the the internet , how many keyboard warriors would tell any player to his face what a wa***r they think he is ? I am sure once he sorts himself out & gets his confidence back we will see the best of him again .

I think he needs dropping now it was painful to watch a player lacking so much confidence on Friday. It would do both the team and the player some good!

I was only chatting to a Saints fan mate of mine (term used very loosely), on Friday regarding Atkins and, aside from the obvious frustration directed at him for obvious defensive frailties and mistakes, the point I made was that, it seems, every single time we play Leeds (win, lose or draw) Atkins gets owned by Watkins.

Now this is a guy who 'took' Atkins position in the England setup. If I were Atkins I would be so pumped up to give Watkins a good rinsing to prove that I was the best centre in the league. But all he seems to do is shy away and allow Watkins to walk all over him.

I think it all stems back from the time he was overlooked/dropped/ignored by Steve MacNamara and the England set up. It is not up to the coach of England to boost the confidence of each and every player for their club, it is for the individual club coaches and the players themselves. I agree that getting pumped up for a game is a must (and that Atkins against Watkins should be a massive incentive), but Ryan doesn't seem to be getting into that mind set. He is probably our fastest runner {await the responses} and he is always first past the half way line at the end of our warm-ups. On paper he is an ideal centre, but his form of late has lacked the evidence of this. As the line in one of my favourite films goes: "Keep sending him up"