As much as he may well be a bright hope for us in this already dull season, if Nobby chucks him in next week, he is going to be under immense pressure and maybe it could be seen as too much pressure for a young lad, when 2 experienced half backs in Tommy and Smithy should be taking control.

Either way though, if he isnt in - something is up in Brian Nobles head one thinks.

Not a lot of point playing him if the team's game plan consists of playmaker passing it to a forward for 80 mins.

I can see him playing next week. I didnt think he would play tonight or last week but I think Nobles hand has now been forved.

Inside Ball?

We'll have none of that crazy talk around here.

Razzle Dazzle

far too flambouyant (sp?)

The most predictable set play Wigan have, and they dont do it quickly either - so you can see it coming from a mile off but we cant do anything to stop it.

Kind of like you could see that big chap Saints have signed this pre season from a mile off but you just cant stop him. If only we had signed a forward like that.

He'll not pick him. However, this is how I see the teams[/ie like he is at the moment. Tomkins in so that everyone stays in position is the only logical step for mine, regardless of the pressure. He strikes me as a big enough character to be able to handle it anyway...

Nail on head. Tim Smith playing at 6 is utterly ridiculous.

I do not know if McIllorum set the world alight tonight cos i am a category 3 fan but I can see Tomkins replacing him on the bench next week with Tommy reverting to hooker when he comes on. There is alot of rumours forming around the safety of Nobles job which I hope will force him into giving Tomkins a go.

Where are them?

Everyone knew we was screwed when barrett went why do you think we was looking for a stand off, i say give the lad a chance

We've got to master the basics first... we don't seem to be getting this bit right yet. I'm struggling to get my head around our lack of ball retention, I can't help but think that we don't have the right type of old heads in the right places pushing the team around. That said, it's a long season, and we're bloody early into it at the moment.

The effort seemed there and it sounded like a much improved performance than last week, if we keep improving I'll take it.

Balls to that Mcillorum to start Riddell carrying on the water.

Some of you guys are weighing this kid down with an insane amount of expectation. Reading some of the stuff posted in here over the last twelve months you'd swear he only has to put ten games under his belt to become the next Alex Murphy.

If you're not careful you'll ruin him before he's had a chance to establish himself as a regular SL player (the same goes for Saints fans and Eastmond).

At last someone with sense, but it isn't possible the club coaching staff are shielding him from that because they all know nothing apparently.