Exactly. When he's on the hunt so to speak, from marker and even in the line, he's made some superb tackles on people much bigger than himself, and has on a few occasions made repeat tackles from marker 3/4 times in a row. He's not as good at tackling from the full-back position as he's having to then chase the play and he's more vulnerable left at the back on his own.

Tomkins never had a problem with his defence at SO he his begining to get his options right at fullback, unlikely to be done for pace he puts attackers in two minds. Richards is much better on the wing and he works well with Tomkins.

i think it's more to do with the fact he weighs about 6 stone wet through

It's not Sam's poor defence that the worry is, it's that at 6 he would have to make probably 25+ tackles a game. At 1 he makes around 8-10. So when he come's into the line he's fresh and quick.
He's fast paced and thinking quickly, at 6 he would be knackered.
This has shown at Leeds with 15 mins to go he was at first receiver off Finch, kicked through and scored. For the last play when we got the pen it was Sam who's pace took him past the Leeds defence. All in the last minutes of the half.
Same yesterday, five minutes from the end of the first half his quick thinking took him across the field spreading the Saints defence and pulling the wingman in from the touchline, Charnley scored.
He offers more from one, later in his career he'll go back to 6.

Common sense at last.

When he was playing 6 as he was when he first broke into the first team he was a real terrier in defence often being first man in after the opposition play the ball when marking. It also had the advantage he was not usually doing many one-on-one tackles. As we do in defence it's a two and three man effort most of the time so he wasn't trying to stop props single handed. Other teams cope with small half backs and do not move them to full back so I doubt that is what lies behind it. If it was its a bit of an odd move because he is far more exposed defensively to being run at by big men playing at 1 and I do think that is a problem against the better sides who will break through more than some of the poorer sides in the competition.

If he is targeted in the line then do as other sides do in such circumstances and move him out wide for the first few drives.

Now Sir Pat is back I suspect we will see Sams form pick up in the coming weeks. They have a very good understanding back there when they both drop back and Pat knows exactly where and what he should be doing to help get the best out of Sam imo.

Surrounded by around 8 fans today, called Sam rotten through out the game - 'Greedy b******' and 'Wish he would f-in pass the ball'

Yet when he scored, set up Charnleys try with that great chip over and offload, got out of in goal superbly etc etc - they couldnt wait to say 'Well done Sam'

Give the lad a break people, yes okay he doesnt always pass - but weve got to trust his judgement - one of, if not thee brightest thing to come out of our academy in years yet he gets more grief than support at times.

And before anyone says, at times yes he should of used the option of passing instead of running on his own, but the amount of times he has backed himself and got us out of a hole speaks for its self really.

I mean, even John Kear praised him. :O

If we play Sam at 6 who plays at FB? We have Sam, finch, deacon and Tommy who can all play 6 to a proven high standard. But only Sam and possibly Pat who can SL a good job as a FB and Pat is better on the wing.

So keep him there. Roberts isn't worth a place in the starting 13.

He was awesome at times today and he's a joy to watch when playing like that. He of course makes some errors of judgement but who doesn't and that decision making when deciding to running or pass when in possession will really improve as the Years role by.

As for his position he's quality at 1 or 6. I do get the feeling teams are getting to grips with that move were he comes on the link from fullback a little but he's still so dangerous in broken play. His chip over the top and his numerous fancy footed jinking runs today were sensational. I'm happy to leave what position he plays to the coaching staff.

The only times he looked bad was coming into the line from FB..... he gets caught out every time now, he does not have the same space, they are ready for him. His kick returns are also terrible when he runs into the line, he needs to run across and look for space.

He got my MOM for his off the cuff plays today though, he was superb, quality to watch..... not like watching paint dry

sam couldn't tackle a hot dinner,especially one with yorkshire puddings

I'm sure the the coaching staff appreciate your non-interference regarding team selection.

You pies......

Its great how much he annoys opposition fans, especially Leeds fans