Re: Sam Tomkins - the future : Sat Nov 21, 2015 2:28 pm  

WARRIORCRAIG wrote:

Tierney is a completely different situation, he's very much still a back-up player who is 2nd or 3rd choice and will get first team opportunities because of injuries to Tomkins and possibly Sarginson.

Well, SW says Sarge will be fit for the start of the season, though he looks like missing the friendlies, so he is in fact saying that Tierney is 2nd choice behind Sam. He also had the option of recalling Rocky, who despite the fact that he prefers the half-back position is a pretty decent fullback. SW is the one who sees the players day in, day out, and as others have mentioned, his previous "gambles" with youngsters have pretty much all paid off.

Re: Sam Tomkins - the future : Tue Nov 24, 2015 10:53 am  

It'll likely depend on how Tierney gets on in the friendlies surely. I like him ball in hand, it's just a question of whether he's become safer under the high ball

Re: Sam Tomkins - the future : Wed Nov 25, 2015 1:24 am  

I don't get the fuss. Tierney has been earmarked as second choice full back, who will have to play a few games at the start of the season until Tomkins is fit. Its like on the Leeds forum where people want us to sign second rowers because it looks like a couple will be unfit at the start of the season without seeming to wonder what happens when those players are fit.

The reality is its very hard to manage a squad of just 25 without a reserve grade, particularly when first choice players are injured. No team can have a squad full of internationals who aren't being played.

Re: Sam Tomkins - the future : Wed Nov 25, 2015 7:39 am  

BrisbaneRhino wrote:

I don't get the fuss. Tierney has been earmarked as second choice full back, who will have to play a few games at the start of the season until Tomkins is fit. Its like on the Leeds forum where people want us to sign second rowers because it looks like a couple will be unfit at the start of the season without seeming to wonder what happens when those players are fit.

The reality is its very hard to manage a squad of just 25 without a reserve grade, particularly when first choice players are injured. No team can have a squad full of internationals who aren't being played.

We can because we are wigan. At least thats what some posters seem to think...

Re: Sam Tomkins - the future : Wed Nov 25, 2015 8:33 am  

Tierney can certainly run a ball so he'll add a threat at the back. If he can hold it together going the other way he'll go fine.

I still think Sarginson will be given an opportunity there as well tbh (presuming he's fit). There was some talk that he wouldn't be fit for the friendlies so that will be Tierneys chance to nail the shirt.

Re: Sam Tomkins - the future : Wed Nov 25, 2015 2:01 pm  

Once Sarginson gets his chance he will nail down the shirt because he is a better fullback than he is a centre IMO. Then when Sam is fit Waney will have to decide where best to play everyone.

Re: Sam Tomkins - the future : Wed Nov 25, 2015 11:49 pm  

Its pretty good going that your squad of backs looks impressive even with the loss of Burgess and Bowen and Hampshire on loan. A few years ago the loss of a player like Burgess would have been seen as an absolute disaster.

Re: Sam Tomkins - the future : Thu Nov 26, 2015 6:27 am  

I think it still is a disaster, we're just used to it now and have to cope with the replacement

Re: Sam Tomkins - the future : Thu Nov 26, 2015 7:26 am  

So have all those 'Sarginson to Bath' rumours quietened down now, then?

Re: Sam Tomkins - the future : Tue Dec 01, 2015 6:29 pm  

Looks like Lewis Tierney will get first chance.

Unfortunately Sam won’t be available at the start of the season, what are your thoughts on that and the full-back position?

I watched Sam many times last year and he wasn’t at his best because he wasn’t right, now we’ve got him right. I’m happy to have it sorted and look forward to when he comes back. I’m also looking forward to giving Lewis Tierney a chance. He’s been very loyal to us, very patient, he’s trained really well and is a great kid with a great attitude and a very good player too so I’m looking forward to seeing him play. I’ve also got Dan Sarginson, Josh Charnley and Anthony Gelling who can all play there so we’re covered but Lewis is going to get the first chance and he fully deserves it.