Re: Squad standards : Mon May 21, 2012 7:04 am  

I honestly haven't got anything personal against the guy. Don't know him personally to judge his character. I just don't rate him as a stand-off. That's not to say that I wouldn't rate him in another position if he were to play there as I believe he could be converted into a decent centre. He has a good pair of hands provided he doesn't have to think too much about who to pass to. He does have an OK kicking game which could be utilised out wide as an attacking option and his defence is OK for a player of his age. If he bulked up the back row is also an option.

Re: Squad standards : Mon May 21, 2012 7:58 am  

Saddened! wrote:

16. Paul Clough - No, was useful as a squad player when young and on a junior player contract, but offers no value now and not up to SL at prop. Stagnated over the last few years. The modern Bennett/Jonkers
18. Shaun Magennis - Yes, as good a young prop I've seen at Saints bar Jammer

I find these two veiws odd. Admittedly I'm a fan of Clough, but he's made more yards this year than anyone bar Roby (according to opta) which is impressive given I think he's missed a few games through injury. He gives away very few penalties or errors and I bet he doesn't command a big wage.
Compare that to a huge compliment to Magennis, who in my opinion has failed to show that he can physically compete properly against the bigger teams.

Re: Squad standards : Mon May 21, 2012 9:10 am  

I think Clough and Magennis suffer from being workhorses. I've no idea about their contracts, but we now have a pack of workshorses, with some on massive wages. We lack impact players in the pack, and so maybe clough and magennis are getting some flack from this.

I think we have a good defensive pack, but like our backs there seams to be a lack of penetration at present, hopefully TP is back to his best and will offer some of that again tonight

Re: Squad standards : Mon May 21, 2012 11:51 am  

1. Paul Wellens - Yes, but not for much longer
2. Ade Gardner - Yes
3. Michael Shenton - Yes (given the alternatives available)
4. Sia Soliola - Yes
5. Francis Meli - Yes
6. Lance Hohaia - Probably yes eventually (but not at #6)
7. Jonny Lomax - Yes (but not at #7)
8. Josh Perry - No (continues to look past it post-injury)
9. James Roby - Yes
10. LMS - Yes but needs to kick on
11. Tony Puletua - Yes
12. Jon Wilkin - Yes
13. Chris Flannery - Yes, but retiring at the right time
14. Anthony Laffranchi - Yes
15. Mark Flanagan - Yes
16. Paul Clough - Yes
17. Gary Wheeler - Yes
18. Shaun Magennis - TBD (probably no)
19. Andrew Dixon - Borderline yes, but only as squad rotation player
20. Lee Gaskell - TBD (50/50)
21. Tom Makinson - TBD (probably yes)
22. Jamie Foster - TBD (could go either way - career-deciding season for him next year)
23. Scott Hale - TBD
24. Nathan Ashe - TBD
25. Carl Forster - TBD
26. Josh Jones - TBD
27. Danny Jones - TBD
28. Joe Greenwood - TBD
29. Anthony Walker - TBD
30. Jordan Hand - TBD
34. Adam Swift - TBD

Re: Squad standards : Mon May 21, 2012 12:05 pm  

Here are my No's

1. Paul Wellens: much improved in the last few weeks but the Wigan game showed him up. All the other teams in the league know he is how you stop our attack. I would release him at the end of the year.

6. Lance Hohaia: Could do a job at full back but there are a lot of other players you would rather have in that position at Saints and elsewhere. I would pay him off now.

8. Josh Perry: Not the enforced we needed, has he even been suspended yet. All he does is push players he is there to punch people and hit them off the ball. Someone needs to tell him what he is here for or send him home. I would pay him off now.

13. Chris Flannery: Just not good enough. He has again improved but gives away silly penalties. I would let him go home early.

On the brink

2. Ade Gardner: Good player but has been injured a lot of the time in the last couple of years. A confidence player, worth having around for now.

3. Michael Shenton: Needs to justify the money he is on, he does not get great ball but that shouldn't matter.

5. Francis Meli: Does not seem to be doing a lot at the moment since moving back to the wing. Always takes dummies in the big games.

19. Andrew Dixon: a good player but needs more time to prove himself

22. Jamie Foster: a good player but needs more time to prove himself

Mike Rush: As head coach he has had a good start but already seems to have got stuck in his ways. This season should be good experience for him and give him an idea what first team is all about.

Re: Squad standards : Mon May 21, 2012 1:21 pm  

Does anyone else think Brown will bring with him a couple of decent Hudds players, Fullback and one in the pack, possibly a decent half back?

Re: Squad standards : Mon May 21, 2012 1:37 pm  

Horatio Yed wrote:

Does anyone else think Brown will bring with him a couple of decent Hudds players, Fullback and one in the pack, possibly a decent half back?

Brough and Crabtree might be nice but I can't see it happening as transfer fees would be involved.

Re: Squad standards : Mon May 21, 2012 1:55 pm  

To be honest our main problems are in the Front Row. We just arent good enough when we come up against a side that has a big strong pack as we are consistantly being beaten up all the time. Josh Perry ex State Of Origin Front Rower has been a disaster. Ok he was injured for large parts of last season but he hasnt shown any kind of form this year for me to want to keep him for 2013. A big disapointment and he needs a rocket up his booty to be quite frank. Anthony Laffranchi is a good player but he is really out of his depth in the Front Row and needs to be taken out of there for next year. Laffranchi in a Back Row slot would bring the best out of him as he is a quality player. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook is too hit and miss and needs to up his game a few notches as he has it in him to be a quality player but he's way to inconsistant for my liking. Paul Clough is a hardworking mans prop. No frills just does his job and I do feel there should be a place in the squad for him.

Im sure Nathan Brown will be looking for at least two imposing Front Rowers to improve our go forward because this year at times its been dire.

Re: Squad standards : Tue May 22, 2012 7:10 am  

on_the_charge wrote:

To be honest our main problems are in the Front Row. We just arent good enough when we come up against a side that has a big strong pack as we are consistantly being beaten up all the time. Josh Perry ex State Of Origin Front Rower has been a disaster. Ok he was injured for large parts of last season but he hasnt shown any kind of form this year for me to want to keep him for 2013. A big disapointment and he needs a rocket up his booty to be quite frank. Anthony Laffranchi is a good player but he is really out of his depth in the Front Row and needs to be taken out of there for next year. Laffranchi in a Back Row slot would bring the best out of him as he is a quality player. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook is too hit and miss and needs to up his game a few notches as he has it in him to be a quality player but he's way to inconsistant for my liking. Paul Clough is a hardworking mans prop. No frills just does his job and I do feel there should be a place in the squad for him.

Im sure Nathan Brown will be looking for at least two imposing Front Rowers to improve our go forward because this year at times its been dire.

It may now be a case of wait and see what happens after last nights game. I thought all the props played well and Perry in particular has started to look the part. Lets hope it is not a 1 game wonder.