Sam Tomkins

Quote: Cruncher "Every time a star player re-signs for a club, you hear this same crap - other players are not happy about it. And how often the story comes from fans of other clubs.

All first-teamers are pretty well-paid at Wigan these days. So if these underachieving malcontents can find someone who'll do them a better deal, then, as others have said, fair enough. Let 'em go and kick-start their careers elsewhere. I hear there are lots of opportunities in the bottom half of the table.'"

I remember the days when Hanley, Edwards and Gregory would go and demand a wage rise as soon as they found out one of the others got one. They supposedly usually got the pay rise as well. The thing is though they were all top class players and you didn't see Ged Byrne following them in asking for the same because he knew he would never get it! I suspect few if any of our players think they are in a position to make similar demands as truly great players and I also suspect they are quite happy to get paid what they are worth when they have proven they are actually worth something.

Sam getting a big day ought to tell them that if you are good enough then they to can aspire to be in that pay bracket. If they can't and go into a sulk then they have the wrong attitude.

The only exception to this is if some of the young first team players are on a pittance. There were rumours Charnely was looking for a part time job he was on so little. No idea if there was anything in that but even then that would just be wrong in itself regardless of Sam's new deal.