Who was Saints top try scorer last year?

Actually scrap that, I've just realised who I'm trying to convince.

Being Saints' top try scorer is meaningless.

Jamie Foster was Saints' top try scorer in 2011. He was also our top points scorer. However, I am sure that only a small minority of Saints fans are now of the view that Foster should still be playing in the redvee, yes?

It's yourself you are trying to convince. Watch some VHS tapes of the days when Wellens was good and reassure yourself, your confidence must have taken a battering today. One game without Wello and we're winning convincingly, attacking like a proper team and our fullback is scorching in for a hat trick.

You have to admit, Saddened is actually talking sense. Is it a mere coincidence that we played so well in an area where we have struggled?

I'm not arguing that Wellens should replace Lomax at FB. I'm arguing against this concept that once a guy is out of the team he should be run out of the squad. Same goes for Gaskell, Perry,Makinson, Lance. When each has been left out of the team someone will come on to argue that they should not come back. It's a squad game and some like Wellens can still add to the side even if it's from the bench. I'm not just saying Lomax should play at FB because of yesterday, viewtopic.php?f=18&t=544262&tsmp=1361691847&start=30 But you don't sell one player on the basis of another having a one game stormer.

I'm not arguing that Wellens should replace Lomax at FB. I'm arguing against this concept that once a guy is out of the team he should be run out of the squad. Same goes for Gaskell, Perry,Makinson, Lance. When each has been left out of the team someone will come on to argue that they should not come back. It's a squad game and some like Wellens can still add to the side even if it's from the bench. I'm not just saying Lomax should play at FB because of yesterday, viewtopic.php?f=18&t=544262&tsmp=1361691847&start=30 But you don't sell one player on the basis of another having a one game stormer.

We played Bradford and Bradford didn't arrive until after halftime. Let's not get carried away, eh?

Jamie foster wasn't good enough for saints and still not good enough for saints.

I'd be surprised if the bulls keep him

That wasn't my point though. My point was that being top try scorer for Saints is meaningless in terms of judging how good/valuable or otherwise a player is to the team. Foster was top try scorer in 2011 and he is no longer with us. So Wello being top try scorer in 2012 means nowt.

I know what you mean but scoring 20 tries a season but letting in 10 tries thru mistakes and poor defence is another matter.

Its a fine balance isn't it, there would be some justification in dropping Wellens if he scored 10 tries in a season but let in 10 tries due to lack of mobility.
Lomax could score 20 tries but let in 10 tries due to poor positioning and reading the game, Makinson might even make less impact. Thats probably why the transition to a new full back is delayed because all our last 3 coaches have possibly seen it that way.
It wasn,t long ago that people on here wanted to get rid of Wellens and Wilkin, now suddenly after one game Wilkin is flavour of the month.
At the end of the day its up to our 3 young players with potential to show there worth and up there game no matter what circumstances are put in front of them.

He played well, ergo he gets praise and people want to keep him there next week to see if he can produce again. I think that's pretty clear.

Wilkin certainly isn't flavour of the month in my eye and I'd replace him if possible next year but that this current moment in time, he's the only player with any sort of leadership skills that can play in the halves.

Gaskell, lomax and hohaia isn't the solution at halfback as none can lead us about the field. Wilkin certainly isn't god enough but he's the best we got IMO .

Is this the end of Gaskell at Saints?

Depends what happens next week. If we're beaten by Leeds and the halves play terribly, then they will be looking at it again.

Gaskell has been really harshly treated by Saints I feel. He was superb in our season at Widnes and got us to a Grand Final. At the end of that season Wellens should have been culled and Lomax moved and an experienced half back brought in.

Half backs need to be playing with a senior figure to develop. There are very few players that can come in as a youngster and organise and control a game and lead his team around the field. The likes of Johns and Goulding probably could, but the mortals need to learn from a more experienced hand.

I know they are similar positions but I would prefer Gaskell fixed at 7 and Wilkin at 6 if Wheeler is restricted to the occaisonal cameo appearance.
Wilkin can handle the close quarters stuff with his short passing game and composure, Gaskell is a runner and would be better coming onto second phase like Pryce use to operate.
The Wilkin and Wheeler pairing obviously isn,t a long term option but merely to give the opportunity for Lomax to find his true position.
As for getting an experienced half back its looking like a very rare commodity these days.