Quote: bewareshadows "I was picking out his kicking game but it is far from his only feature. He is a better organiser and passer, as for runner, I'm not so sure. I would say Lomax is a better runner at the minute as he has that very attractive explosive running style. But for me Gaskell is quick, but with those ong legs he looks like he is not really going at pace. I'd go so far to say with a bit more meat on his bones those runs from Leon Pryce that we used to see will become more common from Gaskell. He hits holes at pace at the moment. Sometimes busting through with just pace. But without the bulk, stronger players can just about hold him.
Once he bulks out, that pace and momentum added to the muscle will give him all the attributes. Not many halfbacks have all the attributes, but this lad can have it all, passing,kicking, running, add in a fend and well, scary is the word.
He did pick wrong options at the start of last year, but as the year went on you could see his percentage just get better and better, same with his defence his position and strength in the tackle saved us many a try.
All great teams need 3 pivots it used to be halfbacks and loose for Saints. But if loose is now becoming a prop role, then a pivot at FB it will have to be, we can accomodate 3 half backs, Wigan accomodated 4 last year. It's just about making some tough choices, and showing players they can be what they want to be no matter the number on their backs.'"
I am not too impressed by him if i'm honest. I've got a few video's from the grand final that i'll try to upload where a simple pass from him would have left us with a huge overlap but he decided to run everytime. I don't think hes much of an organiser. He may be a good passer but for me he's dummying and taking the ball in himself too much when all he needs to do is a simple pass. His defence did improve but i think being moved next to Shenton played a big part in that. I don't remeber him going through many gaps last year never mind people struggling to hold him down. I know it's early days but i don't think we'll see Gaskell at Saints past his current contract.