Where are Jon Wilkin's priorities? : Thu Mar 22, 2012 12:37 pm
On his testimonial? On the game? I have no idea. For years I've stuck up for Wilkin. From the beginning he was saddled with the unenviable responsibility of being the "New Scully". Or at least according to some fans. Season after season he's been a consistent, intelligent performer and a consummate professional. I especially like to think of those periods of injury crisis when he's fiilled in at stand-off and imparted just enough tactical nous to guide the team to victory.
This season - completely anonymous. I mean, with Graham gone and no obvious team leader you'd think he's be busting his nuts to assume responsibility. But so far he's been little more than a passenger. From Wellens I can kind of understand it. His legs are shot. But Wilkin is - or should be - in the prime of his career.
Worse still he has a four year contract in the bag that, presumably, adds up to anything but a pittance. If this incarnation of Wilkin is what we should expect in the future we have been royally fleeced.
I know players sometimes lose a touch of focus during a testimonial year but with most of our youngsters mentally shot the last thing we need is for our experienced, highly-paid veterans to go AWOL. Guys like Gaskell, Lomax, Wheeler et al need someone to turn to when things turn sour and right now Wilkin simply isn't living up to his side of the bargain.