Agreed....It doesn't help that the programme is so amateur and treats any sport that isn't soccer as unworthy of serious discussion.

The whole theme of Tomkins being some sort of God among a sport full of unfit, unskilled numbskulls was a tedious one, and it would have been nice had Sam actually pulled them up on their constant insults and actually defended his sport from such nonsense.

I actually thought he did well.

"Best player ever". You could see he was embarassed and his "I doubt that" was a perfect response.

He then played along with "T'ing the P" out of RU, though clearly everyone could see it was tongue in cheek. What else could he do in the situation.

In fairness Sam played it well and showed he has a "media brain".

The interviewers should take a look at themselves though.

I agree with you that the interviewers were the problem - Their ignorance was embarrassing.

I don't think Tomkins did badly, I just think that in hindsight, we, as a sport, shouldn't have to lower ourselves to that type of exposure, if all it is going to be is general -taking of our sport.

The most annoying part was the thing about his northern accent. Sorry is the heart of English football not the north west? Do they never have northern footballers on? Pretty sure they've had people From Newcastle and Liverpool on there and I'm pretty sure They've had people from Manchester on before and they've had Richard Ashcroft and Noel Gallagher on there. I used to like soccer am a few years ago but since Tim lovejoy left its gone very downhill. It was going downhill before he left tbf and I think he jumped ship as he saw it sinking and didn't want his career going with it.

Tbf it was in response to one of his 'tweets' or in reply to someone else's.

Soccer AM is just a light-hearted programme, and I think people forget that. Chris Ashton got similar stick when he was on last season...if we had a similar style of show about RL do you think we'd be any different if a footballer or RU player was a guest on the show? Yes it's gone down hill since Lovejoy left, but it isn't as bad as people make out.

It is terrible compared to under Lovejoy though.

Pictures of Sam in the crowd were posted on the big screen at Wembley yesterday and the Leeds fan sat next to me let out a barrell of abuse aimed at Sam . Needless to say the said fan was advised of the error of his ways IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS .

Do you know the main problem with expanding rugby league or rugby league in general
THE FANS
I've never known a more negative boring moaning set of folk in my life
It's publicity be all and end all
Just because 20 people on here think its a crap show are you ignorant enough to believe the rest of England does
Soccer am gets millions of viewers every week that's loads more people now know Sam , 'may' have an interest in what he does
And for me more importantly millions of people who didn't before now know about joining jack . Not really a bad thing is it ?
It's the same with everything that's done to try and raise the games profile people just slate as crap with no other suggestions of what else to do
I believe some people on here would be happy for are game to slide towards semi pro standard just to prove themselves right

Were you surprised?

No , not in the least

Sad isn't it. When i saw Sam on the TV my first thought was "oh, they will love that".

Whilst not wishing to stray off topic, check out the Leeds board. Quite a bit of trouble caused by various groups of tanked up Leeds fans being abusive.

Well said. There are many fans who appear to want failure and then gloat. The Stuart Fielden thread was another prime example.

I thought Sam came across well on Saturday, quite humurous. My only other thought (and it's something I have said on many occasions) is that part of a players academy training should include media / interview technique, there were a few too many errms from Sam.

I find some of the comments about Fielden sickening... Big men hiding behind keyboards.

I believe they do get some training in this department now, but, even with the best help/advice in the world, when your live on television its very, very difficult to appear 'normal', be relaxed, and answer questions easily.