Paul Johnson : Fri Oct 08, 2010 7:48 am  

Signed for Wakefield on 2 year contract. Good luck young man. http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague/10/10/08/RUGBYL_Wakefield.html

Signed for Wakefield on 2 year contract. Good luck young man. http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague/10/10/08/RUGBYL_Wakefield.html

Re: Paul Johnson : Fri Oct 08, 2010 7:52 am  

Didn't he win the Reserve/Acadamy (whatever it is) player of the year?

We're shipping the Young Un's out like Wigan now a few years ago

Re: Paul Johnson : Fri Oct 08, 2010 9:43 am  

Mr. Messy wrote:

Didn't he win the Reserve/Acadamy (whatever it is) player of the year?

We're shipping the Young Un's out like Wigan now a few years ago

He's a back row though so he's sitting behind Clough, Wilkin, Flannery, Soliola, Dixon, Ashurst & McGennis. He's coming to that age we're its make or break, so I don't blame him for looking else where.

Re: Paul Johnson : Fri Oct 08, 2010 10:26 am  

Good luck to the lad.

Re: Paul Johnson : Fri Oct 08, 2010 11:05 am  

It's a major problem in that one players get to 20 -21 - 22 years old and have not established themselves in the first team, what does a club do with them.
The three over 20's in the U20 team rule makes it difficult, and so the majority move on. The other option is to loan players out on dual contract, but even in that case many of the players tend to move on, Ainscough, Walker, Smith, Emmitt, Dean, Tyrer etc.

It must be a very difficult for a club in deciding who to keep.

Paul Johnson??? : Sat Oct 09, 2010 9:50 am  

What is he like/is he a prospect or a no hoper? Never seen him before. Judging by the great players who have come through from your academy hope we havent signed a dud. Thoughts on what he is like would be grateful.

Re: Paul Johnson??? : Sat Oct 09, 2010 10:21 am  

I've only seen him at first grade on I think two occasions so it's hard to say how good he is but apparently he's played some good matches at u20s level. I would imagine he's been spotted as potentially a good player who now wants a fulltime contract but who is a bit too far down the pecking order at Saints to guarantee much first team action in the near future.

Re: Paul Johnson??? : Sat Oct 09, 2010 10:26 am  

No world beater but will take the ball up all day and tackle all day. Looks to have a good attitude towards playing the game.
Was awarded Saints under 20's player of the year last year, and played a number of games for Whitehaven on loan. Was Saints player of the match in the reserves grand final.

Also played a couple of games for Saints 1st team this year and although listed in the backrow, took it straight down the middle acting like a prop. He was not afraid to run flat out at lads bigger than him, get smashed then run right back at them.

I think with Full time coaching, he was apparently only part time, then he should improve and become the type of good club player every side needs.

Re: Paul Johnson??? : Sat Oct 09, 2010 10:36 am  

He will be in the championship within 3 seasons.

Re: Paul Johnson??? : Sat Oct 09, 2010 11:23 am  

thanks guys !