SaintsFan wrote:
Spot on.
And what was with that mantra last season of investing in our young players? What a joke! Makinson himself was put on the wing when Gardner went off injured and has made that spot his own. I don't buy the argument that there is 'nothing out there'. Makinson came from nowhere; it is very likely there is someone else in our own back yard who could do just as good a job on the other side, given a chance.
At this rate next year we will be looking at Dad's Army redux but with Meli ensuring we win zip.
Take a look at the off contract wingers, buy it or not theres nothing out there - fact. Are you seriously suggesting we take a punt on a young academy player from elsewhere? If they were good enough they wouldnt be released. Similarly the kids in our own youth set ups arent ready. The likes of Swift are nowhere near physically ready to cope with consistent first team rugby, the rise & subsequent fall of Foster & the confidence problems suffered by Gaskell should tell you that. You cant fill a SL side with youth & inexperience it will kill them. Jones is an exception to the rule but physically more mature. Even Makinson mainly due to injury hasnt played more than 5-6 games concurrent for Saints.
Rush & the effort put into developing these kids wont risk their long term future or health for short term gain.