For any Salford fan to think Tommy Lee is a top hooker then your being delusional. He is a run of the mill Super League Hooker, in fact I would only say Wakefield and Widnes have a similar level hooker and I feel I am being generous.
He gives 100% and will tackle and kick for us all ay, but by no means is he top draw. I have always felt this is the one key pivot position which Salford have ignored over the past 20 years and have struggled because o it.
I would love to see a really class number 9 who can dictate the speed of play and put us on the front foot.
God loves a tryer but we had Mal trying for years and lets be honest all he could do was tackle.
With regards to O'Brien, it would be foolish to drop Nial, who was one of our stand out players last year so can't see that happening. And O'Brien on the bench in stead of Tomkins would be another surprise as you don't need cover for your backs due to the infrequency in which they get injured. It would be a waste of a bench spot for a forward against what is a very big pack, which we will have to match.