After years of being dubbed the Boleyn ‘pretty boy,’ James Tomkins is carrying some serious battle scars this season.
And it was hard not to detect a small smile on the manager’s face when a reporter said after the match: “Twelve stictches for Tomkins?”
“Oh no” said Slav “thirteen!” with a wicked grin.
Let’s hand it to the guy. Back in the summer it was widely suggested that Angelo Ogonna’s £8 million arrival would see him relegated to third or fourth central defender.
But he couldn’t have reacted any better to the competition and has made sure it’s the Italian who has to fight for his place.
And of course the transition to right back has seen him develop himself into a ‘utlity player’ of great value. But his refusal to shirt any challenge for the Irons cause is something for which has been so totally praiseworthy.
He had a Christmas bruiser against Villa and now this after refusing to shirk any challenge – however dodgy!
Thanks for this season and your bravery mate – you’ve been a star.
Our picture at the top show JT after his clash of heads with Joe Allen during yesterday’s clash against Liverpool.
What’s the betting that when he explains it to his mates, he claims he got it fighting off a rozzer outside a Brentwood nightclub?
I’m glad you saw what I saw Hugh ? I’ve watched him several times now and he is a clever little sneak ! He tried to do Randolf as well , and did you see kouyate challenge on his knee !
Cynically deployed , not as bad but payet like . Sneaky .
Was always developing into a top player. He just thanks Ogbonna for speeding the process up a bit. That’s what competition for places is all about.
What goes around comes around John,the trouble now is we are seen as a good side now and the people from the Mersey can only try and kick us out of the game and we need to rise above that and beat them with pure skill which they can only dream about,
Tomkins is a warrior with skill and this season has been so valuable at right back and still has time to be an international,
Nice scar for the rest of his life but give him a new look maybe the 2 Dave can use him in The Krays 3 as Razor Tomkins along side Allen the sneak thief or Martinez the grass
Serious laugh there Bubs, ’bout time we had some humour