Re: Ade Gardner : Wed Sep 22, 2010 7:35 am  

The Chair Maker wrote:

Gardner is due a testimonial soon and i would be surprised if he left.
Especially as he is still one of our starting wingers.

We need Gardner for the next couple of years, to allow the young 3/4 to come through. Get rid of Gardner now and we risk having players barely out of their teens on both wings and also one centre spot.
That is a recipe for disaster.

Personally think Meli is most likely to leave. He may be scoring trys but age isnt on his side. He is 31 now and will be 32 early next season.
Thats positively ancient for a winger.

Meli's age needn't be an issue, as long as we only offer him a one or two year contract. His game was never based on out and out pace, and there's no sign of him slowing down yet. The issue is what sort of contribution he can make to the side, and in his stint at centre he has shown he can continue to make a significant one.

I can't see the logic of hanging on to Gardner for two more years purely as a security measure when we have youngsters ready to do the job. Yes, if we have youngsters on both wings then they'll make mistakes, but, let's face it, so would Ade.

Re: Ade Gardner : Wed Sep 22, 2010 8:05 am  

Dux wrote:

I can't see the logic of hanging on to Gardner for two more years purely as a security measure when we have youngsters ready to do the job. Yes, if we have youngsters on both wings then they'll make mistakes, but, let's face it, so would Ade.

I remeber thinking about a year ago that Armstrong offered us pretty much the same package that Ade does, but obviously for less money.
Safe under kicks, seems solid in defence, not overly rapid but a strong finisher.

Re: Ade Gardner : Wed Sep 22, 2010 8:39 am  

Offside Monkey wrote:

I remeber thinking about a year ago that Armstrong offered us pretty much the same package that Ade does, but obviously for less money.
Safe under kicks, seems solid in defence, not overly rapid but a strong finisher.

Er....ok.

Re: Ade Gardner : Wed Sep 22, 2010 10:48 am  

I dont see why we should keep Ade just to give him a testamonial, hes not good enough to deserve another contract. He'd probably get more money elsewhere, so let him go. Its harsh, but so is professional sport.

Re: Ade Gardner : Wed Sep 22, 2010 11:01 am  

The Chair Maker wrote:

Gardner is due a testimonial soon and i would be surprised if he left.
Especially as he is still one of our starting wingers.

We need Gardner for the next couple of years, to allow the young 3/4 to come through. Get rid of Gardner now and we risk having players barely out of their teens on both wings and also one centre spot.
That is a recipe for disaster.

Personally think Meli is most likely to leave. He may be scoring trys but age isnt on his side. He is 31 now and will be 32 early next season.
Thats positively ancient for a winger.

Also if Wellens were to go Saints would lose up to £50K in salary cap allowance, so it may be prudent to keep Gardner one he had achieved his testimonial years, to maintain that extra allowance.

Re: Ade Gardner : Wed Sep 22, 2010 11:08 am  

Never rated and I think it's a good move by saints to release him. It's about time we have some wingers with some real pace. Gardner runs like he's got a parachute attached to his back!!! IMO he doesn't offer much to the teams. I would like to see Peter Fox at saints

Re: Ade Gardner : Wed Sep 22, 2010 11:50 am  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

Also if Wellens were to go Saints would lose up to £50K in salary cap allowance, so it may be prudent to keep Gardner one he had achieved his testimonial years, to maintain that extra allowance.

You've been quiet recently, been away?
How long does one have to be at the club to qualify for the 50k extra allowance? Either way I'd imagine we'll have Wello for at least 2 more years as a player, unless like longy he gets offered a longer deal elsewhere.

Re: Ade Gardner : Wed Sep 22, 2010 12:04 pm  

Saint Simon wrote:

You've been quiet recently, been away?
How long does one have to be at the club to qualify for the 50k extra allowance? Either way I'd imagine we'll have Wello for at least 2 more years as a player, unless like longy he gets offered a longer deal elsewhere.

Kefalonia for two weeks, got back yesterday. Fabulous time.
Had a bit of fun with the Wire & Saints fans
You have complete 10 years before the allowance comes into place.

Re: Ade Gardner : Wed Sep 22, 2010 12:15 pm  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

Kefalonia for two weeks, got back yesterday. Fabulous time.
Had a bit of fun with the Wire & Saints fans
You have complete 10 years before the allowance comes into place.

hmm and look what your team did while you were away!
For the £50k i wonder if its after their first team debut or signed for the club?
Jammer and Robes will have been with Saints over 10 years before Ade if you're picky, and Ade's debut was only a year (and a bit) before Jammers (28/3/02 vs 15/8/03) so its up to interpretation of that rule i suppose

Re: Ade Gardner : Wed Sep 22, 2010 1:06 pm  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

Kefalonia for two weeks, got back yesterday. Fabulous time.
Had a bit of fun with the Wire & Saints fans
You have complete 10 years before the allowance comes into place.

You've missed Wigan performing some shocking play the balls - esp that Farrell