Welsby another year older, Dodd another year older (and not out injured for the year), works both ways and our 18 year old eventual replacement for Walmsley, George Delaney, has just been called up to England Knights.

New coach I will give you as every appointment is a gamble. Any Saints fan who doesn’t admit fearing another Cunningham situation is lying. Though I think Frayssinous as number 2 is a very shrewd appointment …

I doubt Sts will slip as far as they did under Cunningham. Too many good players in key positions. Its up to the rest to catch them up.

Next year for us will probably be about consolidation - making sure we're in the play offs reasonably early while getting some of our new signings some game time. It looks more likely that 2024 will be when we can really challenge as we should free up some really big chunks of cap space.

Deal until 2025?
We must rate him highly!
Expect him to be out on loan next season.
Hope it's York, I'll go and watch him.

Reality is how often do you field your best 13/17. Rarely, there is always someone unavailable, injury, suspension etc.
Key is to encourage the younger players who will be on a steep rise hopefully with they right coaching, so that when we do have 3/4/5 players missing, we still have enough firepower to perform. So no, it’s not just about surgery to the starting 13.

We’ve been exposed badly this year with lack of depth, due to injuries and suspension, having players who not only can come straight in to cover but can keep their place in the side when others are under performing is the likely direction we are going in. Hopefully we have got enough cover for almost every scenario and only gave to raid the academy players now and again or through choice.