Isn't the most obvious explanation that he's just not impressing sufficiently in training?

From what I remember Fages was very raw showing glimpses of talent whilst making some pretty fundamental blunders - especially in defence. Given all the hullabaloo we've seen in this forum over the last twelve months about "defensively weak" Saints players I find it amazing that so many folk are on their knees pleading for Fages' inclusion.

He certainly wasn't consistent enough to hold down a first team position at Salford - which is hardly an encouraging sign. Given that consistency of performance is one of the hardest facets of a player's game to address (requiring significant mental readjustments which many players just aren't able or willing to sign on to) it shouldn't surprise anyone that Cunningham isn't in a rush.

Has Fages ever played fullback?

Unbelievable that anyone can defend having Theo sat in the stands, when Jon Wilkin is playing at stand-off and Travis Burns at hooker. If he isn't getting a look in now, when will he? It will be even tougher once Roby is back. All I heard from Cunningham following the Salford and Sydney game was him waxing lyrical over Morgan Knowles (sorry but I didn't see it) so I can only assume at the moment he is favoured above Theo.

What's TRULY CRINGEWORTHY is your desperate need for the club to be doing something wrong so they can be blamed for the disappointment you are feeling after losing.

This kind of behaviour is a common among children who haven't yet learned that an emotional response to events isn't always productive.

Now, you can keep saying I'm blindly defending the club in all circumstances as much as you like. It doesn't make it any more true. If you were capable of keeping your emotions in check for long enough you'd know this.

Keiron praised the hell out of the team after the defeat against Sydney. You didn't attach a great deal of significance to those statements, either.

My emotions are completely fine and stable, thank you. I am not desperate for the club to be doing wrong at all; that's absurd. I want the club to be doing things right.

There seems to be only you on here who is happy to defend the club at any given opportunity, yet you have the audacity to question my emotions. It is quite clear that the club is failing in terms of recruitment and performance. If you are happy with where we are heading then that's your prerogative. However you're coming across as nothing other than blinkered and naive.

As you know well, forums, like online shopping review sites, will always attract those on the ends of the spectrum, those who are particularly happy and those who are particularly unhappy. This period of frustration was probably inevitable, the move from Knowsley Road at a time when our legendary sides of Hanley, Millward and Anderson were coming to their natural end. What people didn't accept was this transition to mediocrity, mainly because of McManus's 'Comical Ali' style preaching every season about how amazing the squad was. His preaching about the commercial benefits of the stadium and the appointment of KC and him allowing KC to talk so much utter nonsense in the press over the off season has left us in this situation. It's incredibly poor PR from the club, they've consistently and deliberately set the bar so high that failure is inevitable from the first pre-season meetup. I kind of understand why he's done it, he's desperately trying to hold onto the season ticket holders that are flocking away from the club at the end of the 5 year deal and admitting the club would be delighted with a top 6 finish and amazed by a top 4 finish wouldn't do any good. But that's the position we are in, we are in a dog fight for the top 4, and possibly the 8 if we get any sort of injury crisis, or injuries to the remaining two key players (Roby and Walmsley).

The club is at a crucial point. From the last few years accounts, it doesn't seem like the stadium is producing the commercial returns they believed it would. We are not yet making a profit and this season is going to be horrendous, no finals last year and probably this and crowds falling by probably at least 1,500 on average this year. The club as a whole mirrors the on-field performance. We are not making a profit, we have this amazing asset yet we don't host any events at the ground? Why aren't there boxing matches, semi finals, concerts etc going on there? Why is Mike Rush, former junior coach the CEO? What business acumen does he have? Why is KC head coach in charge of developing players throughout the club? What coaching experience does he have? What are Sculthorpe and Martyn doing for the club and what are their capabilities that make them suitable for their roles? Wello? Gardner? It just gives the impression of an old boys club, a circle of friends having a riot behind the scenes and doing the bare minimum to pretend they are trying to be the successful business they claim to be.

For all he has done for the club McManus should be held in high regard. But for me it's time to re-focus and get the commercial wheel turning and reinvest in the playing staff and coaches over the next couple of years like Hull and Warrington have done, or leave. He always said he's go once he'd delivered the stadium, but that doesn't seem to be happening.

KC also said that Jack Owens looked "phenomenal" at full back, so make of that what you will....

Also, how do Fages 66 games for Salford compare to Owens 64 games for Widnes in the "not ready for first team" stakes?

Latest comments from KC on Fages:

"Theo just has to bide his time. It is all about education for him at the moment. He is the future of the club; a young half back who has a massive future ahead of him and he will be at Saints for a long period of time. At the minute he is learning and when he gets the chance he will take it with open arms.

If you can take every statement I have made in the last few days and show that I have defended the club at EVERY OPPORTUNITY I will mail you a crisp twenty pound note.

Knock yourself out.

When you have to resort to such pedantic nonsense you know you have no argument.

Toodlepip pal. Mind the sand doesn't get in your eyes when you're burying that head of yours.