I'm disappointed and underwhelmed to say the least.

He isn't a bad rugby player, he just isn't a hooker by any stretch of the imagination.

Another terrible bit of business from Saints.

And what did gaskell have to do to get a game - I'm very dissapointed for the lad.

Time will tell I suppose.

No he's just another average backrow, worse than 2 we've given you over the last couple of years

I know we're short at hooker with Roby and Lance out, but we've got Speakman, who's obviously not far from the first team, Flanagan who can fill in, and I'm sure Wilkin/Lomax/Wellens/Gaskell could give it a go. Unless Roby's injury is a lot worse than first feared, I think it's a desperate and unambitious piece of business.

That was never going to happen. He's been our stand-out player this year so far.

Howarth is just a 'fill-in' player. He will never produce anything outstanding, he'll just go through the basics, and often not particularly well. He'll have to rely on a minor miracle to get his game anywhere near where Saints will be operating.

Our recruitment policy continues to dumbfound and displease in equal measures.

He 'obviously' isn't given this signing, you'd think!

Brown hasn't been frightened to throw in youngsters, so you could infer that his reluctance to do so at hooker means he doesn't think Speakman is ready?

Doesn't look like it now. You would have thought so considering he played last week and is in the squad again this week.

You shouldnt sit on the fence like this Ave it! Great deal for the City Reds though.

Text from GT, Salford fan of this parish:



I'm struggling to get to grips with this one. I thought Speakman looked decent enough on Friday but I suppose with Gaskell not featuring whatever the circumstances it's like gaining a player who may only act as cover. He doesn't sound like adequate cover though.