FORUMS > St. Helens > Something has to change |
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| Quote: Northampton_Saint "So.... Your backline for the rest of the season would, I assume, be something like
Seriously - are you crackers? I don't recall mentioning Ashe's name in ANY thread - EVER.
I DID say we should shift Makinson to FB (a decision YEARS overdue). Bring Jones and Swift in for more games (especially the former). I have NEVER advocated Lomax at scrum half. He would be best used in tandem with Roby at hooker. Gaskell at stand-off is the biggest no-brainer this side of Billinge Lump. I would certainly experiment with Hohaia at scrum half where his fast hands might give Gaskell more space to work in.
Foster is a possibility at centre. He might have dropped a few clangers but there isn't a back at the club who can suggest he is superior given some of our recent performances.
Quote: Northampton_Saint "All you would achieve by playing that lot for the rest of the season would be
We're not in the semi-pro days any more. These are professional players. If they can't handle demotion based on [idemonstrable lack of form[/i their value is questionable to say the least. And WHO said anything about dropping first team players for the rest of the season? I mean, sure - I do think Wellens' is long overdue replacing but I don't have any issue with recalling dropped first teamers. But such must be based on FORM - [inot reputation, promise or faith. [/i
Quote: Northampton_Saint "b. Kill the confidence and possibly entire future career of half a dozen young players as they were smashed into oblivion every other week.'"
Give over. We ran with more kids with less experience last season. Far from collapsing like an empty bedsheet they were one game away from the title.
Quote: Northampton_Saint "c. Have the RLFans server melting with the number of rabid posts from Saints fans complaining over why we were losing most weeks, playing so many inexperienced kids together, giving away so many soft tries out wide as a result and doing nothing about it, and throwing away our otherwise nailed-on top 8 place.'"
Yeah, coz this place is just packed to the gunnels with wild-eyed Saints fans - desperate to descend on "rational" fans such as yourself like something out of 28 Days Later.
Lucky for you they can't reach up to your cross.
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Player Coach | 5355 | ![](images/sitelogos/fullsize/21.png) |
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14942.jpg Currently, I'm not Fat!:14942.jpg |
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| Quote: Saddened! "I'd swap our 1-7 with Salford in a heartbeat.
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Ouch........... you must be really fed up
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1883.jpg Didn't William Webb Ellis pick up the ball and run, someone should really tell Rugby Union.
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| Thing is Saints types, I don't think you are a million miles away from getting back on the horse.
Saints' primary problem is being easy to read/control in attack. Virtually all sides now play with their fullback as an additional ball handler/attacker popping up either side of the PTB making defences guess/stretch to counter this. With Saints attacking from around marker/first receiver it is easier to concentrate defences around that area to suffocate the attack. The loss of Graham and his ability to draw players in whilst tipping the ball on has also compounded this.
If Roby gets a roll on from dummy half he will still hurt the opposition, control it, and he is pretty damn nullified. Lomax too, can be got at due to him being your only playmaker and standing close to the PTB at first receiver. Hohaia at stand-off is purely wasteful, give him space/broken defences and his footwork and speed will be a far greater asset.
My two'penneth: Hohaia to fullback, where he appears to have played for NZ/Warriors for the past three years (reasons as above); Wellens to loose forward, his experience and pretty decent passing game would give Lomax some much needed support in the middle of the pitch, a variation on Sinfield, if you will. I think his defensive contribution would also lighten the load on Roby, keeping him fresher in attack. Finally; Gaskell (possibly Wilkin) in at stand-off. It would give a little more control/organisation to the side and leesen the responsibilty on Lomax, who appears to be tasked to do everything.
This is obviously a short term solution, as I I think any side would struggle bringing two young halfbacks through together. I certainly think you need to bring in an experienced halfback next season to aid the development of Lomax/Gaskell.
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| Quote: Webbo "Worth a go - especially a Hohaia/Gaskell 7/6 partnership.'"
It's not without risk. But provided Hohaia cedes responsibility for organising the attack (and kicking) to Gaskell and concentrates on giving him the quickest and most reliable service possible we may be able to salvage something from the season.
I'm not entirely happy about putting so much responsibility on Gaskell's shoulders (although I do think he can deal with it better than Lomax) but we're kind of out of options. Besides, he is the future and the sooner we gear our game around his talent the quicker we can gain some attacking traction.
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| Quote: Mugwump "Lucky for you they can't reach up to your cross.'"
I can see your house from up here ![Wink icon_wink.gif](images/smilies//icon_wink.gif)
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52916_1378593744.jpg A pint of sweat, saves a gallon of blood. - George S. Patton
In war, resolution; in defeat, defiance; in victory, magnanimity. - Winston Churchill
It is fatal to enter any war without the will to win it. - General Douglas MacArthur
Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent. - Isaac Asimov:d7dc4b20b2c2dd7b76ac6eac29d5604e_52916.jpg |
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| Quote: Saddened! "I don't see why. Makinson, Foster, Gaskell and Lomax have all played in Grand Finals. I wouldn't pick Swift in that list to be honest, I don't see any potential for him in the outside backs. I've never seen him play in the halves, but he's no winger.
I think that list highlights that we're going to have Gardner in the team for a few years yet, nothing in there to displace him, bar Makinson who we would all like to see at fullback.'"
You are now starting to achieve the same status level as robinson on these boards.
Where is that clown smilie when you need it!!!!!!!
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