Re: Saints first choice next year : Sun Sep 29, 2013 3:36 pm  

The Chair Maker wrote:

In all this panic talk about Saints lacking a standoff, no one to my knowledge has mentioned Charnock.

He has just signed a two year contract at Saints which should give people an indication that he is likely to be playing quite a bit at 6 in the coming year.

For me it would make some sense to play him at 6 as he would have an experienced half alongside him in Walsh to ease him into the team.

He may feature a bit more in 2014 but I don't think any of us would honestly expect him to nail down that role unless he came in and did an outstanding job. It'd be unfair to expect him to do so.

I think we've got better depth up front next season. We're well stacked at prop and in the back row especially with Wilkin moving back to loose as expected. The problem positions we have are at centre, stand off and even hooker where we have little cover should Roby pick up an injury. Hohaia and maybe Wellens or Flanagan are the potential cover although neither of those are great options for such a key position and that would also leave us short at 6 as Hohaia is expected to play there.

Jones is the most reliable option for the Centre spot, but doesn't really have that attacking edge that Percival possesses. I can see them sharing the role due to Percival's lack of experience and issues defensively. Percival certainly offensively will create more opportunity for Swift and it would be far more exciting with him there. Wheeler will probably offer cover, but he's barely strung any games together so wouldn't really consider him a long term option until he proves his worth.

I'd probably go as follows:

Lomax
Makinson
Turner
Jones / Percival
Swift
Hohaia
Walsh
Amor
Roby
LMS
Soliola
Manu
Wilkin

Bench:
Masoe
Walmlsey
Laffranchi / Beaumont / Clough
Jones / Flanagan

Plenty of options and ability to rotate to squad. I reckon the majority picks itself with a few places being up for grabs.

Re: Saints first choice next year : Sun Sep 29, 2013 3:39 pm  

The Chair Maker wrote:

In all this panic talk about Saints lacking a standoff, no one to my knowledge has mentioned Charnock.

He has just signed a two year contract at Saints which should give people an indication that he is likely to be playing quite a bit at 6 in the coming year.

For me it would make some sense to play him at 6 as he would have an experienced half alongside him in Walsh to ease him into the team.

If he was ready to play a big role next season I think he'd have featured a bit more this season - unless he's been injured or something. He only played in that Salford match in the snow.

How old is he? It doesn't say on the saints website.

Re: Saints first choice next year : Mon Sep 30, 2013 1:54 pm  

Weren't we on for signing a Centre from the championship, from somewhere like Whitehaven, name was McAvoy if I recall correctly?

Re: Saints first choice next year : Tue Oct 01, 2013 7:40 pm  

Best pack in the league next season by quite a bit imo. Would have loved Masoe or even Amor to a lesser extent sign for Hull.

Masoe
LMS
Walmsley
Amor

As a first choice four is brilliant.

Re: Saints first choice next year : Tue Oct 01, 2013 9:23 pm  

A unknown superstar wrote:

Best pack in the league next season by quite a bit imo. Would have loved Masoe or even Amor to a lesser extent sign for Hull.

Masoe
LMS
Walmsley
Amor

As a first choice four is brilliant.

It has potential but it's also unproven. Masoe could be as useless as Feka, we just won't know till we see a season from him. Walmsley tailed off pretty dramatically after a good start at Saints too.

Re: Saints first choice next year : Tue Oct 01, 2013 9:30 pm  

Masoe is proven in the NRL. If he has come to play and not for a holiday he will be fine. Walmsley has played for 4 weeks with damaged ribs. I'd like to see you try doing that, OH SORRY you're only a keyboard warrior hiding behind his computer screen.

Re: Saints first choice next year : Wed Oct 02, 2013 5:11 am  

Saddened! wrote:

It has potential but it's also unproven. Masoe could be as useless as Feka, we just won't know till we see a season from him. Walmsley tailed off pretty dramatically after a good start at Saints too.

Masoe is in the Samoan squad for the World Cup. I'm pretty sure they play a game at Warrington so we have a chance to have a early look at him in the flesh.

Re: Saints first choice next year : Wed Oct 02, 2013 5:40 am  

Saddened! wrote:

It has potential but it's also unproven. Masoe could be as useless as Feka, we just won't know till we see a season from him. Walmsley tailed off pretty dramatically after a good start at Saints too.

At least people have learned from last season about jumping the gun and claiming they have the better team. I completely agree with you on Masoe and i genuinely hope he has come over to play and not treat it as a holiday.

Re: Saints first choice next year : Wed Oct 02, 2013 6:30 am  

dubairl wrote:

:CLAP:

At least people have learned from last season about jumping the gun and claiming they have the better team. I completely agree with you on Masoe and i genuinely hope he has come over to play and not treat it as a holiday.

You have the same questions about Bowen, I believe he even announced his retirement before you signed him?

Re: Saints first choice next year : Wed Oct 02, 2013 8:13 am  

If Masoe plays like he's been playing in the NRL then he'll be an excellent signing. He has limitations to his game, but he changes matches when he comes off the bench.