That's a loaded question. I think the answer all depends on what you mean by the word 'creative' and what you consider to be 'good enough'.

I think Gaskell has improved enormously this season. But I'm a teacher and so I may see things differently from you. As a teacher I would not expect a child to write with as much flair or technical ability at the end of KS1 as I would at the end of KS2 (given the right talent and degree of application). Likewise, I wouldn't expect Gaskell to be able to perform to the same standards in his debut year at senior level as I would a few years from now. Gaskell is showing great positional sense, he has good hands, he is great under a high ball, he has pace, he has demonstrated an ability to think on his feet in a pressure situation (his dropgoal against Hudds at Widnes), he has a great kicking game which he is developing. His defence midfield is very good although he still has to work on his goal line defence. He can be seen giving directions on the field. He appears to be level headed, not prone to panic like Lomax.

Does all that make him good enough for a Grand Final this year and into 2012? I don't know because he hasn't played in a Grand Final yet and next year is still ahead of us. But he has been on the losing side against the top two more than once and he is bound to have learned a lot from those experiences; probably more than he learned in the wins he has enjoyed. Is he creative? I think he is because he has created some smashing tries and breaks, as well as having the vision to score himself.

Is he another Eastmond? No. He isn't a flashy halfback. He isn't even a cheeky one. He is a practical one. He would be a great foil for a cheeky, flashy halfback. We need both in our side. But both need to be creative too and I think Gaskell IS creative. I also think he has shown enough potential and development this season to be given the opportunity in the Grand Final should we get there.

I'm less sure of Lomax.

And don't get me started on Pryce! Now that he's made up his mind to clear off he seems to have, well, cleared off!

Have to admit,song of the night goes to the Salford fans 'Its just like playing in church . sssssshhhhh'

Creative = create opportunities for our players. Having some unpredictability so the opposition for once do t know what we doing unlike now.

What's good enough = for a team like saints who's in the grand final almost every year, I'd expect at least to make the final.

Gaskell and to a lesser degree Lomax fits your meaning of creative.

We aren't the same team even as last year. We'll be very fortunate indeed to get to the Grand Final this year. I think our time for yearly visits is over. But that has nothing to do with Gaskell or Lomax.

for me gaskell is playing better than leon at the moment and should be starting leon aint showed nothing since coming back to play before gaskell or lomax

I'll try and out it another way fir you then...

Why can't we break teams down when we are getting in good field position and tons of possession ?

Wigan and Warrington would have put 60 on Salford last night.

Because we are operating with one functioning halfback in Lomax. Pryce has gone on vacation. I've been deeply disappointed in Pryce. He came on for his first session back and had an immediate impact on both sides of the pitch and we looked like a coherent team again. He was ok against Cas too. But since then he's just disappeared and I think that is because he made his mind up to go to the Dragons.

Personally, I'd be happy just to kick Pryce into touch like we did Eastmond and play with the yoof. We aint going to do much better with Pryce who can't be ahsed so we may as well go with those who have worked hard to get us to third.

Although I'd probably swap Lomax for Wheeler.

So would we had we managed to keep hold of the bloody ball for longer than five minutes. The coach has been sorely lacking in fixing that problem and it is costing us.

But lomax and Gaskell have been the halves most of the year.

I knew I would regret discussing this with you because you don't actually want to discuss it. So, just to make you happy and NOT because I believe this (because I don't) I will stating the following:

St Pete. Our halves are rubbish and we are never going to win anything ever again especially if that fullback who can't catch a bomb Hohaia plays at seven.

Is that ok now?

Goodnight!

yes they are good enough and creative enough for 2012. And they will have an experienced half back in Lance.

For me the problems start and end with Simmons, a really nice guy, but bereft of ideas about the modern game, there is not one facet of the game we have improved on since he came, (apart from injuries and confusing everyone by playing 16 players out of the 17 in most games, great strategy this!!!) No wonder Eastmund, Graham and Pryce are going.