plus two Darren Alberts

One if you count Makinson

I see the doom merchants are back.







What I'm interested in not having seen the game, how did Lance and Wheeler combine prior to the injuries. Once a half goes off then who ever is left ain't going to be very good especially after being down to 1 sub already. But early in the season there was alot of clamour for Wheeler to have a run at halfback, rather than Gaskell. I argued Wheeler gave us more in the centres but given that Wheeler had not had a chance it was not fair to judge without him having a go.

The reports from the Bradford game were that he an Lomax (I think it was) did not combine well. Is Wheeler a long term half or are his talents better suited to the centre's?

For me he looks good as a centre.
I think most people would agree a fully fit wheeler has got to be in the team somewhere.

Lomax and Wheeler are way too similar in style to play together effectively in the halves. Wheeler looks our long term #6 for me, but if Lomax is going to be our number 7 for the forseeable future (and it's hard to see much choice) then Wheeler is probably best used at #4 for now. Gaskell or Lance (ish) are better foils for Lomax' style than Wheeler is.

At present, we appear to have a shed load of 6s (Wheeler, Gaskell, Hohoaia) and no 7s. Lomax, I think will end up at FB. For me, the best combo of the crop would be Hohoaia at 7, Wheeler at 6, Lomax at 1, although that does rear the ugly question of a kicking game, which appears to be our major sticking point, meaning that Gaskell really has to be shoe horned in there, somewhere. With the emergence of Jones at 4, we really are getting to an unsustainable amount of backs pushing for first team footy (barring injuries), and sooner or later, a couple of them are going to have to be shipped out. I can see Saints listening to big money offers for Lomax, or Wheeler, if an offer was received.

Wheeler will never make a halfback, he doesn't impose himself on games enough. In the few games he's played at 6 for Saints, he's been anonymous. He should be given the centre spot with Makinson on his wing going forward.

Yesterday? Wigan away last year? I wouldn't say anonymous. "Best player on the pitch" would be more accurate.

Actually "best player on the pitch until he got injured" would be most accurate

He was destroying Wigan last year in the GF until he was cynically taken out.

Also, I believe he was instrumental in at least two of our tries against Cas yesterday and some have said he was our best player.

Could be at #13 in a year or 2 if he beefs his lanky frame up a bit. Agree completely on Lomax at #1 and Wheeler #6 long term - always have done. Unearth a #7 from somewhere and stuff Gaskell with a few pies and you potentially have the spine of a great side for the next decade.

Jonny will play this weekend.

Yea just been tweeted,no news on the others yet though.