No way would McManus have him.

Chase has the talent but he is a disruptive presence around anywhere he goes, mostly to himself. You need a man-manager that can work miracles to keep him happy. As for Fages, well I think personally he has the chance to be a great HB, but isn't the finished article by a long way just yet. Saints could be the making of him. Or the ruin. Time will tell.

From seeing him week in week out, what would you say Fages strength's and weaknesses are?

Theo didn't go to tribunal an agreement between clubs was reached

You mean it got noticed how he could not direct the team around the park? How he hasn't got a kicking game, he's weak in defence. In my opinion Fages will turn out to be an average SL, I'm prepared to be shot down on that. He's been the golden boy with some Salford fans for some year, why? i'm not quite sure, presumably becauae I long standing fan put him up when he origionally arrived from France, however fans did start to turn on him when out best prospect was being kept out the side to keep Theo in and putting Chase to FB... Don't ask why as this is Salford after all... His best attribute is his enthusism, he never gives up, he's a good support runner but don't be expecting him to break the line on a regular basis. He can be used as an interchange hooker and will run from dummy half, but sometimes he looks like he's running in treacle.

To suggest he is best than Lomax, I'd disagree, he seems a more classy player and composed with ball in hand. Also he can kick. Only thing wrong with Lomax is his injuries as far as I can see from an outsider view. That's my honest opinion of Theo anyway, hopefully Long can work on all his game really and fufill his world class potentinal a handfull of Salford fans think he have...

If Saints are after him which is no way nailed on, they are probably looking at the potential as he not the finished article. Saints 12 months down the track will be looking for a running half back and an understudy for James Roby.

When we first signed Sean Long he was a bit of a maverick, running all over the place, made lots of creative errors but would come up with one special moment in a game, perhaps Fages is similar but needs a change of club, culture and direction to progress his development. You say his best attributes is enthusiasm, never giving up thats a good base to work from, thats the kind of mindset you want in a player with potential, I,m sure Sean Long would be keen to work on his creative, tactical game.

It could all be a false dawn though, he might have plans to go elsewhere than Saints.

He's fit. He'll never give up. He'll always give his all. Decent support game. Decent distributor.

He's not a natural line-breaker, poor kicking game, and can get knocked about in defense. He doesn't seem to be a natural organiser.

Just a comparison to our current half backs:

Walsh : 105 tackles, 45 missed in 16 games
Burns : 508 tackles, 74 missed in 25 games
Fages : 424 tackles, 48 missed in 19 games

Fages: 1005 meters gained (Walsh 346, Burns 780), gave away 7 penalties (Burns 23, Walsh 9)

His defensive stats don't look too bad in comparison to Burns and Walsh.

Perhaps he isn't as bad as some Salford fans, whose club he is leaving, make him out to be.

Any Salford who criticising are doing so with their Salford tinted glasses on, because of the manner which he left the club. It was a very unprofessional move by Theo and did absolutely nothing to expedite his release from Salford to Saints, although one thing it did do was reduce the transfer fee enormously. If you look at how Lama Tasi, Harrison Hansen and Cory Paterson have all handled their business, Theo has come across as very petulant in all of this. I accept his management team have orchestrated it all but ultimately the decisions lie with him. When that is said and done, it must have been tough for him to accept us signing Michael Dobson on a 4 year deal which effectively meant he wouldn't get the number 7 shirt until he was 25 - a stupid move by the club.

Theo is a good player, who has the potential to become very good. Don't forget the kid is only 21 and has played 66 games scoring 20 tries in the process. The vast majority of those games have been played in struggling Salford teams too. I expect under Cunningham and Longs management and training around James Roby, Luke Walsh and Jon Wilkin on a daily basis he will fulfil his very promising potential at Saints.

No doubt his biggest flaw is his kicking game, but what 21-year-old half backs do you know that can control a game in Super League with their kicking? We seen signs that this was already improving this season, no doubt influenced by Michael Dobson. He's tough and strong in defence for his size, his willingness to attack the line will impress as will his backing-up.

You've got yourself a good player, who I have no doubts will be your first choice 7 for years and years to come.

PS - should be announced either today or tomorrow.

Cheers for that. Good reasonable post.

Told you all it was a done deal. Saddened sorry I never replied to your PM months ago but I trusted my source.

I can't see Salford losing their case, but it is suggested there seems to be an agreement with his agent, but Salford will want a good fee, can you blame them? what will it be! Yes the club may want him will they dig deep?