Long's defence is very good for a scrum half.

Comparing Long's defence to Smith is like comparing Gidley to Phelps. Smith might just be the most overrated player I've ever seen.

I'm sick to death of reading posts off different fans saying about the pressure on Sam Tomkins being brought into the side. How the hell will we know how he will react until he gets a chance? He's played in a couple of friendlies and the odd cup game and fair enough these weren't against full strength super league sides but he stood up and proved worthy of a selection. I sometimes (more and more as the weeks go on!) dont understand Noble's selection. When I heard Riddell was 50/50 to play against Cas I was convinced that S Tomkins would make the 19 man squad at least even if he didn't make the final team selection. The poor lad must be so dis heartened to play out of his skin for the academy each week, a class above his team mates, to play so so well in the friendlies/cup games for the first team and still hasn't had a CHANCE to shine in Super League. I'm not stupid, I know one man doesn't make a team but we need some ideas, a decent kicking game and something different - Tomkins can provide all of that... let's face it... Tomkins could have the worst game of his life and he still wouldnt be as clueless as Tim Smith was last night (I actually think Smith had an okay game at Hull!!!)

You lot will destroy this kid before he even gets a chance to show his worth.

A real tragedy.

This "young player crushed by weight of fans' expectation" theory is just rubbish.

(1) I'm sure he can handle the pressure
(2) In case you haven't noticed, Wigan fans' expectations aren't that high at the moment and are falling every week.

The majority of us simply think he may be a better option and we want to see him get some game time.

Trent Barrett was such a hard tackler and did a great job in defence think it went unnoticed due to his great play making ability. We are sorely missing him this year, if he was playing last night we wouldn't have lost.

I don't agree, Long's defence is and always has been poor, but he more than makes up for it in other areas. Smith's is worse and so far he doesn't.

I don't know about the last bit but I totally agree about Trent's defence

He was arguably the best half back defender in super league

Promising young players are crushed by such on a yearly basis. The two most recent cases being Tommy Lee & Scott Moore.

He's a scrum hlaf, lets judge him after he's had a run there shall we. Smith at 7 and Tomkins at 6 is the way forward.