Re: Time to recall jamie foster? : Fri Oct 26, 2012 12:00 am
Makinson, Turner & Jones will all play next year, coupled with cameos from Percival, Swift & if ever fit Wheeler, a bit of experience in the backline is no bad thing.As for Wellens holding us back, we aint had anything to challenge or oust him or it would have happened, Makinson will probably get opportunities there this yr. That said when Wello wasnt fit or banned, we missed him IMO, Wigan at home at Easter springs to mind.
The point I was making was pace isnt everything or Kev Penny would be a GB regular, to play FB at a top club you need to be a rounded player, the heir apparents ie Lomax, Makinson etc obv werent deemed ready especially when over the last few yrs weve lost some real leaders & experience in Longy, KC, Graham etc, and we were obv loathed to replace Wellens around same time.
There is a bigger picture, im sure better rugby brains than you at Saints have considered it, which is why I said pace was a luxury in saints current position & squad depth. I maintain tho get the halves right & firing & FB isnt suddenly as big an issue, like I said earlier we hardly ripped up SL at the start of the season when Wellens was missing did we!!!
The aussies you mention are outstanding players full stop, Hardacker was hardly anything like a match winner in the playoff series, albeit I accept they all have pace. Wellens time is undoutedly coming to an end, but the quality & length of service deserves a bit more respect than youre monotonous bleating the entire season, if anything the kiwi stealing money at stand off all year & hiding in the centres 4th or 5th receiver was a far bigger issue.