Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jan 25, 2024 12:19 pm  

Stu M wrote:

Saw that myself and just posted the below on Red Vee

I wouldn't be averse to Makinson leaving at the end of the season especially if we replace him with a younger winger. He's still a great finisher but picking up injuries more and more regularly and will be 33 next season. He has lost some pace too. Depending what's in the Academy or options in the market it may not be the worst idea. He will be taking up a good chunk of the SC too. To transition and build again to get back on our perch will mean making some bold decisons and replacing the ageing older players would be a good option.

I wonder if it might end up as a swap around with Tom Davies. I know he’s been linked previously.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jan 25, 2024 12:30 pm  

Cherry_&_White wrote:

The only serious criticism you can aim at Saints over the last few years is proper succession planning. Even that's harsh, why would you change anything when you're wiping the floor with almost everyone you come up against? But I think not being ruthless now will only make an already significant rebuilding job even harder, so I think you're completely right about Makinson and I think you could easily throw a few others in there.

Having said that, you've obviously still got a formidable 17 when everyone's fit, and I wouldn't at all be surprised to see you top after Good Friday. I'd be very surprised though to see you top at the end of the season once injuries become a factor and your squad has been stretched.

Spot on. There are some big decisions to be made with the likes of Walmsley and Lomax too. I personally think Walmsley is only another big injury away from retiring. Hurell won't be there next season I'd imagine but Percival is injury prone and getting on in age too.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jan 25, 2024 12:30 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

I wonder if it might end up as a swap around with Tom Davies. I know he’s been linked previously.

I'd take that, really rate Davies.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jan 25, 2024 12:36 pm  

Mark_P1973 wrote:

Do you think you'll need 2 wingers then or are you aware of youngsters coming through?

i was chatting to a work colleague yesterday who said he didnt think Bennison was the answer (better FB than winger), but was unsure whether he would make it as a regular at Saints

We then had a chat about Ritson, who i'm a little unsure about. Thought it was a great bit of business for you last year to get him for 12 months and take a look at him, but equally when he wasnt played when you was short of players, suggested Wellens perhaps didnt fancy him. There's no doubt he has pace, and that can help him defensively. I personally having watched him a couple of times in the championship and last year, dont think he is smart enough in terms of rugby brain to make it at Saints (but could be proved wrong)

For years we've struggled to bring some top quality backs through the system, we always seemed to produce better forwards. Welsby and Dodd are notable exceptions of late and Grace to a lesser extent. The likes of Makinson, Percival and Lomax came through a long time ago

By all accounts there are 4-5 in the system who Rush describes as "game changers" not just lads who will have a SL career but ones who will play for Saints and make a difference. I am not an expert on our Academy but I know for example that Vaughan (England Academy captain) will definitely come through.

All depends on their development which is why I think Blake is an astute signing. Yes he has weaknesses but he's not coming up against Farnworth, Crichton, Mitchell every week in the SL. He can play wing too and has something to prove if he wants another NRL club given he has only signed a one year deal. He also has something we badly lack- genuine pace.

The extra 12 months also allows us to see how some of the centres/wingers develop. 12 months can be a long time in RL.

I also think Ritson will be much better this season. I think its taken him that first season to come to terms with a full-time environment and he was on a steep learning curve.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jan 25, 2024 12:53 pm  

Would be a good move for both Saints and Catalans. One of superleagues all time best but his powers are declining.

Catalans would get a leader from a winning system similar to McIlorum
And Tomkins.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jan 25, 2024 1:10 pm  

Cherry_Warrior wrote:

Is this the same soft St Helens sod who PMs people on here asking for a fight. Utter gimp

No he never haha what did you say to warrant that

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jan 25, 2024 1:17 pm  

Stu M wrote:

I'd take that, really rate Davies.

An update from Matt Shaw has him in talks with HKR. They're going all out to try and bring the full Wigan outside backline from 2017 together.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jan 25, 2024 2:28 pm  

Stu M wrote:

For years we've struggled to bring some top quality backs through the system, we always seemed to produce better forwards. Welsby and Dodd are notable exceptions of late and Grace to a lesser extent. The likes of Makinson, Percival and Lomax came through a long time ago

By all accounts there are 4-5 in the system who Rush describes as "game changers" not just lads who will have a SL career but ones who will play for Saints and make a difference. I am not an expert on our Academy but I know for example that Vaughan (England Academy captain) will definitely come through.

All depends on their development which is why I think Blake is an astute signing. Yes he has weaknesses but he's not coming up against Farnworth, Crichton, Mitchell every week in the SL. He can play wing too and has something to prove if he wants another NRL club given he has only signed a one year deal. He also has something we badly lack- genuine pace.

The extra 12 months also allows us to see how some of the centres/wingers develop. 12 months can be a long time in RL.

I also think Ritson will be much better this season. I think its taken him that first season to come to terms with a full-time environment and he was on a steep learning curve.

i get what you are saying about production line. i think we've had a similar spell post Tomkins, Charnley, Burgess, etc where we've produced far more forwards (mainly back row too) than quality backs.

my mate who i was chatting to yesterday was unsure re academy too. He lost interest a few years back due to something that happened at Saints, but still keeps an interest in 1st team

He also commented re Blake, saying that whilst not top drawer, should be an astute signing for this year, and perhaps an extension thereafter

He rated Ritson more highly than i did, but that often comes from not seeing a player week in week out and forming an opinion in that way, but i do agree he's in a top setup to get the best out of a player if they are going to make it, and i dont think he'll be costing you a fortune on the cap either

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jan 25, 2024 6:14 pm  

A 33 year old Makinson would be daft not to take on a couple of years down in the South of France. A new environment at a club still pushing for honours which will set him up nice for retirement. Its not like going over to Australia, you're literally a 90 minute flight away from family and friends.

Did you see the Sam Tomkins interview last year from his home in France, stunning. I can't see him moving back to the UK for some time. Why would you? what a life!!

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Jan 25, 2024 6:48 pm  

MattyB wrote:

A 33 year old Makinson would be daft not to take on a couple of years down in the South of France. A new environment at a club still pushing for honours which will set him up nice for retirement. Its not like going over to Australia, you're literally a 90 minute flight away from family and friends.

Did you see the Sam Tomkins interview last year from his home in France, stunning. I can't see him moving back to the UK for some time. Why would you? what a life!!

His house on Lee's Lane before he went to France was none too shabby either but give me the south of France any day