But as you haven't got a #7 wouldn't it make more sense to play Makinson at #1 and Lomax at #7 until you find a scrum half?

It would do but that's not going to happen.

We've ruined lomax enough already. He had been very poor until he went to fullback and then he was on fire. He was unplayable when moved to fullback.

IMO he's more effective from fullback and its better for him and saints that he plays there.

Not if he's terrible there which he has been this year. Lomax has found his position and should be left there.

do people think the side will regain direction and effective attack with the return of roby and lomax?

It will improve a little yes. Lomax will take pressure off Wilkin and Roby's eyebrow would be more effective at hooker than Howarth

That's about 6 weeks away. Sure the season does not start till the playoffs, but the team could be shot to ribbons in terms of confidence by then.

Even so with a full compliment I put us as a top 4 side. To win stuff you still need a 7 and 6 and we have neither.

Some. Roby's a lot smarter around the ruck then people give him credit for. He'll get the pack working better.
Lomax being back will give us some direction back as he's such a threat that getting the ball to him will be a key part of our prep.

Makinson played pretty well. If he hadn't have dropped those 2 bombs, then I'd have said very well as he was a genuine threat with the ball. He's generally very good under the high ball.

I'd suggest that if Tom's decent form continues, Lomax [imay[/i be re-introduced at 6 outside Wilkin for a while. It s not particulary what I'd do, though, and Meli's injury/ban may throw a spanner in that works.

I'd say so. Makinson doesn't let us down playing fullback, play Lomax at 6 and we can still make use of Lomax and Makinson in attack.

Lomax needs a clear plan, or someone at #6 to guide him, if he's to play 7. He's tough and brave enough to play close to the line and possesses a very cute short passing game, so can be effective, but in games where he has the responsibilty of deciding where we're going as a team, indecision starts to creep in and his plays go to pot.

Instead of signing Hohaia, we should have thrown some cash at the retiring Darren Lockyer or Trent Barrett to partner him.

One other thing though is, imo, by far the weakest part of Lomax's game is his decision making in defence. It was woeful last year - totally unbecoming of a player with his talents. Putting him at fullback negates this weakness.

I [ireally[/i don't want this to happen, but it could be for the best [ushort term[/u until we get in some HBs. We are guaranteed to not bring anybody in which is a shame

But I really am uneasy about Makinson under the high ball and I don't know why. I'd have Lomax defending at #1 probably.