There was also the element of predictability about it, in that Saints have been using the play of passing to Gaskell who stands deep on the fourth tackle for a punt all season. Its not the first time i have seen this kick charged down.
Saints need to vary their kick options. I think in part this is the coaches trying to keep things basic for the young players. However it does make it easier for the opposition to read what is about to happen.

Also thought Wellens was exposed again for his diminishing pace. A few years ago he would have been able to hold off Monas, not now.
Similar thing happened with the 40/20 that resulted in a dropout. He was just too slow getting across. Also there was a time when Wire kicked through and he was caught in goal when he should have been quick enough to retrieve the ball in the field of play.

He still however shows his experience with other play, eg not getting committed when Hodgson broke clear, however his fading leg speed is becoming more and more noticable. Sad to see but it happens to all the best players sooner or later.

i think we will see the best of gaskell and lomax next couple of week think royce will pull gaskell to one side this week and have a few words we are all forgeting it was only four weeks ago gaskell come back from a broken ankle

I personally saw nothing untoward in Gaskells performance. He did some good stuff and made an error or so. Something all young players make. Its just part of the learning experience.
People have to remember that due to the Eastmond shenanigans, Gaskell has been thrown into first team action essentially 9-12 months earlier than anticipated.
The experience of playing these matches at such a young age will however stand him in good stead later on in his career.
Same with the other kids like Lomax, Foster and Makinson.

It was another good performance from him IMO

Really? i thought him and Wellens were the weak links last night?

I'd add Jammer to that.

Wellens is either playing with an injury or simply off form. He managed to catch every ball but he just doesn't look himself at the moment. I think Gaskell regressed slightly and perhaps the couldron of the last three games has been a bit too much for him at this stage of his career. He will learn a lot from his experiences but he could do with being back in a winning team to boost his confidence. I'm sick to death of Jammer yelling at the ref and at everyone else while dropping the ball, missing tackles and going to ground at the first sign of an opposition forward. He is beginning to annoy me. Oh, and Meli was a defensive liability. We haven't seen that Meli for a bit.

Otherwise, everyone worked hard!

i fought gaskell was no worse than any of our backs last night and looked dangerous every time he got the ball

Fort Gaskell

Was the draw bridge down on that one then last night?

Gaskell struggled, I don't know what game some of you were watching. He cost us the first try along with Wellens and was throwing balls behind the line all night. He knocked on a couple of times and put some proper hospital balls out.

just watched the game back and he was no worse than lomax foster meli wellens ya he cost us a try so did foster and lomax in the second half but as that not been seen by anyone and i didnt see many bad balls off him

I would like to see Gaskell on the bench a bit more just to take the pressure off him. It might be a gamble but perhaps Eastmond should start at 7 the next couple of games until Pryce starts back.
Gaskell will be a better player next season for the experience he has gained this season.

whats eastmond done to be pick before gaskell and like i said earlyer when leon back i think they is a very strong chance it will be gaskell and pryce in the half backs and lomax in the centre with meli back on the wing

To be fair given that Monas had a good 20 metre running head start it wouldn't have mattered if Wello had turned quicker, even the fastest full back wouldn't have caught Monas from a standing start from that distance out.

No, no, no. That's all wrong. Paul Wellens has to be able to beat everyone to the ball, no matter where they are on the pitch, how much of a headstart they have and what the ball is doing at the time.

Might be too optimistic but really would have liked to see the appearance of the "old Eastmond" with him at taking onthe line. The past few games he has come around a bit but is stuck out on the fringes.
If it's not too be, I should imagine in the next couple of weeks Lomax will stay at 7 with Pryce in at his usual 6. Gaskell not to get a start, but maybe add some variety from the bench.
So which would be the better option to finish the season with the chance of success. The "old" Eastmond/Pryce or the new Lomax/Gaskell combination.