We have a left centre,a natural in josh jones in fact he is the first we've had since talau. we need an experienced halfback to get him some quality bal ....

Fair point about Josh Jones! And as I said before a experienced organiser at half back is a must. What some people fail to understand is that this squad needs change and wont be a instant fix under Nathan Brown in year 1 of his tenure. It will probably take him the full 3 years to get us anywhere near to winning Challenge Cup Finals nevermind Grand Finals.

Why on earth would we do that? He's already 21 isn't he? Which would mean he was 23 with absolutely no Super League experience when he returned. Seems a rather silly way to do things.

So is
Not replacing your left centre for 4 years.
Buying diddy men to play prop.
Giving your starlets new contracts and send them to another club or back to the physio table.
Buying a utility player with no kicking game to play at 6.
To drop your only HB with a kicking game.
To keep a pedestrian FB at FB.
To believe that a back up hooker is your star scrum half.
To keep retaining journeymen on the basis that nothing better is out there.
Giving 4 year contracts to post testimonial butty shop owners and international utility players.

Welcome to the Saints recruitment and retention strategy.

Leeds did that with Hardacker/Featherstone the second they needed him they recalled him and didn't send him back. I guess it is to keep Batley happy so they do not charge to big a fee (if at all). He probably needs a few months of training before going in the first team. I would guess that you will see him between rounds 10 and 18 next year assuming he does sign.

I suspect that Brown will have a shack up regardless of the player movements. I would suspect that Greenwood, Forster, Gaskell and Ashe will get runs next year. I would not say that Percival is out of the question for a game or two. He is not physically up to Super League yet but neither was Scott Moore when Milward played him against Wigan aged 16. I just feel it is the sort of thing a coach like Brown would do.

I would rather give these kids a run in the side instead of signing over the hill journey men looking for a big fat pay check at the end of there careers. Some of the youngsters coming through at many Super League clubs dont get a chance to shine and is it any wonder they go away from the game? Greenwood, Forster and Ashe are due for a run in the side when the chance arises. This way of doing things has benefited Wigan and Leeds even more so. Thats the way forward.

One poster randomly mentioned this on the Leeds board and you take their word as gospel... 4.63330078125:5