Re: The best off season signings possible. : Tue Oct 12, 2010 2:01 pm  

out
Fozz, KC, Gids, Maurie, Emmit, Johnson, Ade?
In
Perry, Shenton, LMS
First proper senior contracts
Foster, Lomax
Re-signed senior players
Wello, Meli, Flannery

go on then, who've i missed?

Re: The best off season signings possible. : Tue Oct 12, 2010 2:06 pm  

Saddened! wrote:

If someone were to list the players who have left Saints compared with those who have joined or had contracts renewed we could possibly get a better idea. it just seems to be highly paid senior players leaving and not many of that ilk coming in. I understand the kids will get better deals, but I don't see how the gap is being plugged.

It's too simplistic a view though just looking at players out and in. You're ignoring the fact that home grown players like Graham, Roby, Eastmond will be on very good money indeed now, they are all first choices in their position for England. Their contract value will increase as the years progress. They're not big name signing trumpeted in with a fanfare, but they're just as important to Saints as the big names that have left over recent years.

We have four current/ex internationals in the outside backs who will be on good money (Wellens/Gardner/Shenton/Meli)

We have two current/ex internationals in the half backs who will be on good money (Pryce/Eastmond)

We have four current/ex internationals at prop who will be on good money (LMS/Perry/Graham/Puletua)

We have three current/ex international/SOO back rowers who will be on good money (Flannery/Wilkin/Soliola).

We have a stronger squad than last year. Everyone said last years squad was weak, but we finished 2nd and reached the GF despite a horrible run of injuries - so it can't have been THAT weak.

Improving on a squad that, when weakened, can reach the GF is good work in my opinion and we'll be right up there next season, no question.

Re: The best off season signings possible. : Tue Oct 12, 2010 2:10 pm  

Im happy to make a start on listing players leaving against signings/improved deals:

Outs since 2007/8
Paul Sculthorpe
Matt Gidley
Sean Long
Jason Cayless
Kieron Cunningham
Paul Anderson
Lee Gilmour
Jason Hooper
Mike Bennett
Willie Talau
Maurie Faasavalu
Bryn Hargreaves
Jake Emmitt
Nick Fozzard

Ins/improved deals:
Chris Flannery
Sia Soliola
Tony Puletua
Paul Clough
LMS
Luke Perry
Michael Shenton
Jamie Foster
Andrew Dixon
Matty Ashurst
Johnny Lomax
Kyle Eastmond
Scott Moore


Can anyone add anything to this? I can honestly say I dont think the ins/outs does balance up in terms of £ or skill level/experience.

Re: The best off season signings possible. : Tue Oct 12, 2010 2:18 pm  

The Chief wrote:

snip

Problem with those sorts of lists is they ignore the fact that contracts for the likes of Roby/Graham (not on your list) will most likely be going up every year.

Re: The best off season signings possible. : Tue Oct 12, 2010 2:25 pm  

FearTheVee wrote:

Problem with those sorts of lists is they ignore the fact that contracts for the likes of Roby/Graham (not on your list) will most likely be going up every year.

Good point.

Why oh why can't the News of the World find a RFL salary cap auditor's laptop on a train somewhere?

Re: The best off season signings possible. : Tue Oct 12, 2010 2:25 pm  

Saints have recruited pretty well and will have a strong squad.
The pack will be very strong and physical.
Your halves in Pryce and Eastmond are as good as any if they can stay fit.
The problem again seems to be a lack of pace in the backs. Your back three of Wellens, Foster and Meli are slow. Shenton is ok but doesn't have blistering pace. Don't know who will be your 4 but if it's either Flannery or Soliola then they are forwards and also slow.
Not sure on the pace of Lomax, McGennis(sp) or Wheeler but if GW can get fit and stay that way he's the most respected outside of St Helens.
For 2011 Saints will be up there round about the top two but I do think in the end that lack of pace in the backs will once again be a real problem.

Re: The best off season signings possible. : Tue Oct 12, 2010 2:28 pm  

Father Ted wrote:

Saints have recruited pretty well and will have a strong squad.
The pack will be very strong and physical.
Your halves in Pryce and Eastmond are as good as any if they can stay fit.
The problem again seems to be a lack of pace in the backs. Your back three of Wellens, Foster and Meli are slow. Shenton is ok but doesn't have blistering pace. Don't know who will be your 4 but if it's either Flannery or Soliola then they are forwards and also slow.
Not sure on the pace of Lomax, McGennis(sp) or Wheeler but if GW can get fit and stay that way he's the most respected outside of St Helens.
For 2011 Saints will be up there round about the top two but I do think in the end that lack of pace in the backs will once again be a real problem.

Francis Meli will be our 4.

1 - Wellens
2 - Foster
3 - Shenton
4 - Meli
5 - Lomax

I'd be surprised to see Wheeler play for Saints again tbh.

Re: The best off season signings possible. : Tue Oct 12, 2010 2:49 pm  

Outs ins
Paul Sculthorpe Flannery
Matt Gidley Shenton
Sean Long Eastmond
Jason Cayless Perry
Kieron Cunningham Moore
Paul Anderson Puletua
Lee Gilmour Ashurst
Jason Hooper Dixon
Mike Bennett Magennis
Willie Talau Soliola
Maurie Faasavalu LMS
Bryn Hargreaves
Jake Emmitt
Nick Fozzard

Re: The best off season signings possible. : Tue Oct 12, 2010 2:55 pm  

Saddened! wrote:

I'd be surprised to see Wheeler play for Saints again tbh.

I'm a big fan of Wheels, so I hope you're wrong, although I don't think its a totally outlandish idea. Have there been any more talk of a loan spell (I think cas were mentioned)?

If he's fit, he's a better bet than anyone for the free centre shirt. If he's doesn't get that, try and get him to another SL club for half a season (perhaps give them Armstrong for the other half).

Re: The best off season signings possible. : Tue Oct 12, 2010 3:01 pm  

Trouble with the young uns of today is they expect to be 100% fit before every game when in reality, they will spend their entire career at 90-95% fit.