Sponsored nonsense that team. Tommy was far and away man of the match last Friday - end of! Sam didn't even make the top 5 on here.

I don't know which is more inaccurate this, or the Albert Goldthorpe medal that League Express dish out every year.

Players player of the year is the most accurate judge of who is the best player.

Thats decided basically by stats and Sam was very busy but he still wasn't at his best and the award losing abit of credibility when it's based solely on stats. He was a real mixed bag on Friday and i'm sure overall the lad would feel a little sheepish accepting the award because he looks like a guy that sets himself very high standards and would be honest about his performences. It's one of the reasons he's so good.

Leuluai, Hansen, Mossop and Joel all had better games imo yet only the first one makes that side of the week.

Thought he looked bad under the high kick from salford on friday nowhere near man of the match

Every week a full back is normally the top metre maker and usually by some margin.

Thats strange because so far this season the top metre maker is a hooker.

In 2010 it was a prop, followed by a hooker, followed by a winger.

In 2009 two props were at the top of the metre making charts.

In 2008 a prop topped the charts again.

In 2007 it was hooker who made the most metres.

In 2006 it was 3 props and a winger at the top.

3 more props made the most metres in 2005.

2004 saw another prop and a winger top the charts.

In 2003 it was also a winger.


I don't think it's a full-back everyweek by the looks of it. They are not far behind though.

I am talking about Wigans game stats.

Well here's the thing: Sam is not a good full-back.

He's not hopeless - looks great running at a broken field, willing to throw himself under people defending the line, etc - but he lacks the positional nouse of a Radlinski or Briscoe and I think has been exposed on a number of occasions. OK, unfair to compare him with Radlinski who was the best defensive full-back I've ever seen, but you see what I mean.

Sam needs to be involved more, he's one of the most creative players we've had in ages.

Plus, I hate to see him running the ball back into a wall of 18 stone bone crunchers all day Amos to FB for me, certainly when Pat's fit again.

Personally I thought Briers was best of the round (taking nothing away from Sam though)

And no I've not turned from Latics troll to Dire fan before you start

Thought he was poor compared to his usual standards, especially under the high ball. I'd have him at 6 with Roberts at 1

Must admit he looked far from being a full back last Friday. I'm was undecided as to whether he should play 1 or 6. He can be very effective coming in to the line in attack, but I think he could do more damage for us at 6 being involved more and orchestrating the play.

I don't think he is defensively good enough or strong enough to play full back. Don't get me wrong you can't fault his desire or committment but he just lacks the size. He was very poor under the bomb, saying that Salford kicked well, but I just think he would do more for us at 6. If he is to stay at 1 he needs to improve under the high ball.