I dont think halves is that big a problem. I think its selecting the right player in the right position
For example Wheeler and Gaskell are both naturally gifted half backs, but Saints have insisted on playing Hohoia and Lomax in the halves when arguably both would be better utilised as fullbacks. (obviously not both at the same time)
Wello has been a revelation this year, but we need to be looking to move Lomax into that position or possibly Swift.
Hohoia would for me be a utility bench player.
Pack is fine, it is big tough and mobile. Next year should be even better with Manu causing havoc out wide
Threequarters. Meli has been our best back and Makinson is looking like developing into a solid pro. Gardner was strong before his injury, but you have to ask if its getting to the stage were both Meli and Gardner need putting out to pasture to let the young guns get their chance. Foster certainly needs bringing back from the wilderness as he is a points machine who showed at Hull that he is no flash in the pan.
Im hopeful Jordan Turner will add some pace and power into the centres next year. Alongside a further year of development for Josh Jones.
The main thing though is getting a top class coach to mold what is a group of very talented players into a trophy winning team. Brown for me is capable of that, however i am sceptical he will ever coach a St.Helens team due to his talents being in great demand down under.
What we also have to do is look at the opposition and what the next couple of years look like yielding for them.
Wigan look like a rapidly fading force. Players are leaving on mass, to be replaced by journeymen pros. For me this year was their last great chance to get some decent silver before spending a few years trying to rebuild. Like Saints have the junior talent to remain a top 5 team though.
Wire will be up there for a year or two until their pensioners all start to retire, then they could hit the buffers bigtime. Simon Moran will then need to start splashing the cash, something they are well capable of doing however.
Leeds. Still a big game team, and the nucleus of the side Sinfield, Burrows & Mcguire still have a few years left in them. Will always challenge as they are the only real genuine contender from Yorkshire, so know that if they are short in a position they just have to pick off talent from any of their weak west Yorkshire rivals.
Hull looking to make a push next season with some big signings. Suffer though from being in Hull, which makes recruitment harder due to the isolated nature of their city.
The rest are easy beats.
