IF is a big word.

Given the pressure that we have all been lumping on to have him in the team. I'm a big fan, but I am also aware that Gaskell can make errors as well as play excellent Rugby. I think he needs to learn a little from Lance. Lance seams to be in favour due to less errors. I would argue this is because he risks less, hence our poorer halfback play. I'd say rather than trying to rip it up, he just needs to play his own game.

It's tricky. I don't mind a half that makes errors if he is trying stuff. ie making a break for 80 meters but then failing to pick out the right pass at the end of that break. For me the break is the thing that matters.

Were as others seam to favour a half that makes no errors, but risks nothing either.

You can't please everyone all the time. Gaskell will never please those who are risk averse, when ever there is a kick or an offload that does not work, there are lots of hindsighters who will then shout, why did he not do x , y or z instead.

It's easy to shout the options after it goes wrong, but when you are running at speed, with other guys running at speed at you, it's the variety and creativity of those options that is important for me, not only taking an option if you are in space and have time.

I recall these same people would lay into Long (not comparing players), when his options did not come off, yet he was still the best creative half in the league by some distance.

I remember well standing at KR with plenty of people around me constantly moaning about Longy. Even in 2006.

So do all players!

Lance should definitely make fewer of them (although he will still make them as he is still human) as he has years more experience and is a world cup winner's medal holder.

Let's remember, Gaskell isn't a [iblow you out the water[/i player. He's steady and his real talent is making the team around him look better, so let's bear that in mind when reveiwing his performance after tonight.

Unfortunately, I'm missing tonight's game, which I'm a little gutted about.
I hope I'l get a good write up from one of you guys?

I hope Gaskell has a stormer.

I think the majority would want that scenario. With Lance on the bench, coming on in the 2 nd half at 9 with Roby having another spell at 13.

What do you think roby at 13 will offer?

As I mentioned elsewhere,when Robes and Lance were in the pack together, there was a lot more energy going forward.
As when we had Moore last year, they can split the dummy half responsibilty which mixes things up a little.

If lance wasn't here would you e saying play roby at 13 for spells?

It seems to me, people are just looking to fit lance in the 17. We shouldn't be trying just to get him in the 17 just because he's our big name signing.

IMO if he don't play fullback, he don't play at all.

Robes main weapon is his running from dummy half, if we put lance at hooker and roby at 13 then IMO roby is wasted. Roby is a hooker and that's it.

No. Your points are quite valid, but Lance can contribute around that area.

Me too. I really want this kid to succeed at Saints.

I would like to see Roby and Lance sharing the match time. We cannot keep playing Roby week in week out for 80 minutes with his style of play. I would prefer to see us reducing his game time, particualrly in games where we are comfortable, and prolong his career.

We should be looking for a 2nd hooker then if that's how you see it but why lancd there? Why not lomax?

It's because we are trying to fit lance in but it's wrong!

This post is dedicated to SAINTS77777

Like I said, I got the team spot on and as I said, lance was out

Gaskell looked overwhelmed tonight. I hope he was just being eased back into the side, but very few plays went through him, apart from kicks. He was defending in the left centre position all game, with Jones moving inside him.