Quote: bewareshadows "I liked Eastmonds spark but never really saw him as an organiser. More a maverick that could take on the line. Having said that I would not have kept Smith either. But I was a big fan of Gaskell. On the field he would try stuff and his kicking game was decent. But it seemed off the field issues got in the way. What I will never understand is the decisons taken around getting rid of our youth products.
We let Smith (and Long) go before getting Eastmond to sign a very long deal?
We brought a utility fullback to replace Eastmond?
We let Gaskell go mid-season with no replacement brought in, instead we brought in an average hooker?
Can't argue with Lomax or Wheeler. We tried them and adjusted for them with Lomax we found a place for him, but Wheeler is just crocked. He probably had the talent, but being out so long has made him rusty and average halves are ahead of him because he's not developed due to his injuries.
Same as anyone with talent, if they don't or can't use it, it does not stay uneffected.
To me the contract mistake with Eastmond was key, his replacement error and letting Gaskell go without replacing.
If any one of those had not happened the half back issues would not have been half as bad.'"
I don't think it was a mistake. He wanted away for a bigger and brighter stage and there wasn't much we could do about it. That's probably why McManus was miffed.
Announcing it now would give everyone a lift
