Re: Saints first choice next year : Fri Sep 27, 2013 10:30 am  

Saddened! wrote:

I'm sure they do. But how much of an input do they get exactly? Brown clearly spotted that Wellens was a terrible modern fullback that was holding us back massively, so he moved him. Is Wellens' new deal what Brown wants? I doubt it is, I highly doubt he gets a say in it. Mike Rush is probably behind decisions like that.

I'm sure he does. The fact that we've gone from the best side in Super League to being a mid table side outside of a realistic chance of winning trophies under his control suggests that, as I've been suggesting for a few years, the rugby side of things has been consistently secondary to the stadium and the financial stability of the club. Which is fine, as a fan I totally support that. If he came out and said we're holding back to build the stadium and avoid insolvency I'd totally support that and shut up about the lack of a quality outcome on the field. But then McManus contradicts that by claiming the club is spending the full salary cap (Which if true, removes any excuses for us being trophyless for so long) and his annual insistence that the squad is good enough to win Super League, which it clearly isn't. The recruitment and retention decisions over the past 5/6 years have also been awful. If directly constricted by the stadium and finances, again fine, but it isn't what they claim. The club isn't therefore immune from criticism, as mistakes have been made, consistently, for a long time now.

I'm sure there is a constant talk between the three over the squad and its evolution over the years - sometimes one might not agree with the other 2 but its better to have a group decide than one person! As bareshadows said its about balancing his team input (and already knowing the come back is you saying he has no team input - everyone does and it was summed up perfectly above) - I remember reading a while back about them having difficulties with Wellos contract as part off it is off cap due to him being here over 10+ years - so I don't know the specifics but sounds like his contract is changing to reflect his more modest role in the team - perfectly fine (and probably with the gentlemens agreement to recompensate him for it when he does move back room

Eamonn didn't build the stadium to save us from insolvency though - he propped up the club with never a complaint about it - he built the stadium so he didn't have to spend 1mill - 2mill a year - which is fair enough - but between the effective cap shrinking, and a few big name mistakes - it's no surprise were on the cap - and, if spending the cap is the only thing required to be successful explain London because they're spending the cap and more! So are the hull teams and Catalans (again and more as they agreed a favourable conversion rate for the euro) and probably most clubs in the top 10!

Some costly mistakes have been made, yes, but who would of thought an Aussie test prop would turn out like perry? Spouting that the club haven't been trying to win trophies because a mistake like that is just trying to be negative

Re: Saints first choice next year : Fri Sep 27, 2013 10:57 am  

Saddened! wrote:

What would that achieve?

That you had a pair.

Re: Saints first choice next year : Fri Sep 27, 2013 11:35 am  

Allez wrote:

That you had a pair.

That doesn't even make sense.

Re: Saints first choice next year : Fri Sep 27, 2013 1:15 pm  

Saddened! wrote:

That doesn't even make sense.

Makes sense to me!!!!!!

Re: Saints first choice next year : Fri Sep 27, 2013 1:59 pm  

Saddened! wrote:

That doesn't even make sense.

Forgive me. I thought that posting something that made no sense whatsoever would be easy for you to relate to. My apologies.

Re: Saints first choice next year : Fri Sep 27, 2013 3:03 pm  

The Yellow Giraffe wrote:

Unfortunately the truth hurts some people. As you said in an earlier post, when it comes to Wellens it is pure sentimental nonsense to offer him a new deal.

Spot on

Re: Saints first choice next year : Fri Sep 27, 2013 3:18 pm  

No1 Saint wrote:

Spot on

As I said earlier, I think it depends on what deal he is offered...

A deal on the same money as before and a place in the starting 17 every week and I agree it shouldnt be happening. However, a reduced contract for a year's extension to be used as a squad player, playing a handful of games and for his experience around the squad and I think it is a sensible move. An experienced former international player who has won every honour (both individually and as a team) available in the English game and loves the club cant be bad to have around the squad as long as it is on the right terms

Re: Saints first choice next year : Fri Sep 27, 2013 3:55 pm  

That's the point I was trying to make.

We need cover in the backs, we can't assume Lomax will be fit every week and we have no idea of the cost.

I think we have all assumed he's pulling down a wedge that is in line with what he was on years ago.

But frankly he may not be. We need to have cover at FB, so why not if the price is right?

Re: Saints first choice next year : Fri Sep 27, 2013 8:49 pm  

bewareshadows wrote:

That's the point I was trying to make.

We need cover in the backs, we can't assume Lomax will be fit every week and we have no idea of the cost.

I think we have all assumed he's pulling down a wedge that is in line with what he was on years ago.

But frankly he may not be. We need to have cover at FB, so why not if the price is right?

He wasn't used at full back when Lomax was injured though, Makinson was.

I do wonder if there has been a something about Wellens not playing every week and that's why there has been a delay in him signing a contract though.

Re: Saints first choice next year : Fri Sep 27, 2013 8:51 pm  

Allez wrote:

Hmm interesting questions. Fans forum maybe?

No coach or player would publicly criticise a member of the squad in that situation.