: Wed Mar 11, 2009 7:12 am  

The Chair Maker wrote:

Wilkin is a GB international forward, so he does have some ability.

I think many of you are not taking account of his excellent angles of running when hitting the line, and his generally intelligent footballing skills, and support play.

He isnt a blockbuster but he is a footballer.
RL isnt all about bash and barge, you need players with subtle skills as well.

Fair comments mate. I do feel though that he hasn't quite cut the mustard at the very top level and in the biggest games.

: Wed Mar 11, 2009 7:53 am  

You do wonder sometimes how weve managed to win anything these past few years with all these overated players that turn out for us every week.

: Wed Mar 11, 2009 8:13 am  

Can we loan him back then please

: Wed Mar 11, 2009 8:16 am  

To my mind he is a nautral loose forward, and should be playing there week in week out, instead of Clough, Hargreaves, Puletua, Flannery or anyone else that just happens to be passing. Give him the 13 shirt and let him settle.

: Wed Mar 11, 2009 9:10 am  

St pete wrote:

It's ok sayin he does 27 tackles a game cox he prob does.

He's prob the best 3rd man tackle machine in the world.

It's difficult for me to match up the quotation above with the one below:

St pete wrote:

It's coz I don't think he likes the hard work anymore. He's great when we are racking points up but when it's tough he goes missing....

...IMO he is gettin worse each week. It's shame really as I like him but he gone big headed and thinks he better than he is.

I think you're right in saying he hasn't quite lived up to his potential - I thought he was going to be absolutely top drawer - but in your original post you imply that this is because he is self-absorbed and lazy, which is wholly unfair in my opinion.

It seems to me that because he's a good looking lad people tend to dismiss him as a feckless poser as soon as he has a couple of mediocre games.

: Wed Mar 11, 2009 10:03 am  

I cannot see how we can regard him so highly for making a few decent angled dummy runs. That is crazy. He was nowhere to be seen when we needed the forwards in the GF last year, he was nowhere in the WC and so far hes been nowhere again this season.

For a lad with such ability he should be demanding the ball and driving it up or pivoting a move, he doesn't. If his only role within the Saints set up is to run some decent angles then we really are in a bad way this season.

His attitude is a disgrace and has been since he joined us. That is from personal experience which I don't need to go into.

: Wed Mar 11, 2009 10:06 am  

I'm surprised by how many saint's fans don't rate him that highly i thought he was classed as one of your star men like wellens,long and KC.

: Wed Mar 11, 2009 10:16 am  

Wilkin is great player IMO. Looking at the stats he makes plenty of yards, makes plenty of tackles and his fair share of breaks. Also he has an excellent in play kicking game which is a good option to have in a second rower. Wilkin's form usually picks up in the summer so wait and see.

: Wed Mar 11, 2009 10:34 am  

`I agree, He doesnt seem to be making any progress (if not goin backwards)
He often trys to make big shots on the big men and comes off second best missing the tackle.
I also think he probably thinks hes better than he is.

He should be given more respnosibility. I remember when he played half back, or stand off in the playoffs when we had loads of injuries and he was fantastic

: Wed Mar 11, 2009 10:43 am  

Jesus wept. There's no Meli so i suppose someone has to be targeted amongst our ranks. Wilkin is a class act and once the pitches firm up will become even more invaluable to the side along with Leon. Pryce at 6 and Wilkin at 13 is the way forward.