Re: Catalan Squad Announcement : Fri Apr 12, 2013 5:43 am  

He has know best so far,

Lomax to FB
Wilkin to 7
Percival to Centre
Buying Walmsley
Buying Manu

The halfback situation at Saints is something he's having to patch up. If we had Wheeler I don't think we'd be doing this. The Gaskell move is questionable, but if the rumours that he was not going to sign a contract for next year are true, then you could argue it was nessasary.

In the end halfback is a mess, but it's been a mess for several coaches now. It will me more interesting as to who plays were, rather than who is named were. It would not be the first time this year that players named are then not played, he seam to like to keep us and the opposition guessing, but I think that's down to his lack of choices at the moment.

Really we need to be looking to Dobson or the like, this year preferably, next year definately.

Re: Catalan Squad Announcement : Fri Apr 12, 2013 6:35 am  

bewareshadows wrote:

The Gaskell move is questionable, but if the rumours that he was not going to sign a contract for next year are true, then you could argue it was nessasary.

Not really if you consider, for example, that we played Eastmond when we knew he was off to union; we played Jammer when we knew he was off to the NRL. Not signing a contract isn't a reason not to play a player, according to the evidence of history.

Re: Catalan Squad Announcement : Fri Apr 12, 2013 6:55 am  

People saying they might not go/watch on TV because Wello is playing at 6? Have a word with yourselves.

Re: Catalan Squad Announcement : Fri Apr 12, 2013 7:02 am  

Sthelens RLFC wrote:

People saying they might not go/watch on TV because Wello is playing at 6? Have a word with yourselves.

While that is a slightly OTT reaction, fans have only two ways of showing their displeasure: booing and not turning up.

Re: Catalan Squad Announcement : Fri Apr 12, 2013 7:45 am  

SaintsFan wrote:

Not really if you consider, for example, that we played Eastmond when we knew he was off to union; we played Jammer when we knew he was off to the NRL. Not signing a contract isn't a reason not to play a player, according to the evidence of history.

Eastmond was utterly terrible and was eventually dropped which I suspect was his plan. He was then used to cover the odd injury (To Wellens ironically). Jammer's attitude and commitment to the cause was undoubted so the fact he was leaving made not difference. Gaskell no matter what you may think has not 'made it' , he is most definitely still an aspiring talent.

Re: Catalan Squad Announcement : Fri Apr 12, 2013 9:19 am  

SaintsFan wrote:

While that is a slightly OTT reaction, fans have only two ways of showing their displeasure: booing and not turning up.

I'm aware of that. My point is that if Saints "fans" are thinking of not attending tonight due to a local legend, coming to the end of his career, giving his all in a position that he isn't choosing himself in, then they are an embarrassment to themselves.

People can boo and not turn up when teams/players aren't giving their all. Booing/not turning up to support a lad who bleeds red and white and does everything he can to help Saints win is disgraceful. No one agrees with Wellens playing at 6. I wouldn't find room for him in my 13 at the moment or ever again unless we have injuries but, whilst he is in the team, he'll have my full support like he always has.

Re: Catalan Squad Announcement : Fri Apr 12, 2013 9:37 am  

SaintsFan wrote:

Not really if you consider, for example, that we played Eastmond when we knew he was off to union; we played Jammer when we knew he was off to the NRL. Not signing a contract isn't a reason not to play a player, according to the evidence of history.

Eastmond played a few matches and stunk and then, when the fans got on his back, got in to trouble for making a gesture. He was dropped after that and only got played at the back end when Wello was injured.

Jammer continued to give his all and, I think, had been quite straight with the club over everything.

The Gaskell thing continues to baffle me. Not playing him until he signs a new contract - strange. However, if Saints have offered him a fantastic deal that he shouldn't in his right mind turn down, perhaps they suspect him of speaking to other clubs before the tapping-up-date? Whatever it is, its a shame; mainly because he's the only guy in the squad who can actually kick a ball.

Re: Catalan Squad Announcement : Fri Apr 12, 2013 10:22 am  

Sthelens RLFC wrote:

People saying they might not go/watch on TV because Wello is playing at 6? Have a word with yourselves.

Couldn't agree more.

They were probably singing "Saints until I die" at the DW a few weeks ago. Seems they actually mean "Saints until I disagree with team selection".

Re: Catalan Squad Announcement : Fri Apr 12, 2013 10:32 am  

Problem is with sport these days it is expensive! more and more with so many matches on Sky some supporter will miss the odd game or two!

Re: Catalan Squad Announcement : Fri Apr 12, 2013 10:45 am  

FearTheVee wrote:

Couldn't agree more.

They were probably singing "Saints until I die" at the DW a few weeks ago. Seems they actually mean "Saints until I disagree with team selection".

I would support the club even if it were bottom of the table every year PROVIDED I thought the club was making the best effort it could to be successful. That is the core purpose of sport, you strive to succeed and the supporters back you in that.

What we're witnessing IMO is a club that has completely neglected the on field part of the operation (perhaps fairly) and which has made some horrendous errors (Signings of Hohaia, Laffranchi and Perry and not having any halfbacks). It is pretty clear to me and probably everyone who can look at the situation over a few years with a rational head, that the club simply no longer cares about winning trophies.

So the suggestion that a supporter will not attend certain games is fine IMO. The club isn't putting it's best effort into it, so why should the supporters? If the halfback and prop situations aren't sorted, I would argue that Eamonn can no longer claim the club is competing for trophies, which makes the prospect of buying a season ticket a much harder decision than if the club was making the effort.