I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the 17 and Stephens wasn't in it. Only last week, he was the only Saints prop who made inroads in to Leigh and that was a Leigh side defending for their lives. I think you can likely add Paasi to the 'he's done' list going off this season. He looks like he'll need a big pre season to bounce back.

Spot on. The issue with Stephens is that he runs out of gas really quickly but x2 10 mins spells would've been ideal. You'd expect him to improve his fitness more and more as he is FT. He is a real prospect for sure.

I'm willing to give Paasi the benefit off the doubt and I think he needs a good pre-season. He was rushed back in many ways due to our injuries and he's never looked right.

That said him warming up in a hoodie with the hood up like it was -5 degrees doesn't exactly set a good tone.

I think the challenge is finding props at the right price. I've been commenting on the Leeds forum too, and they reckon they need 3-4 props with Oledski, and seem happy to get rid of the rest, maybe keep 1 of them as 6th choice

so if you and Leeds are both in the market for props, and there aint many around, then its a good time to be one, as its likely they'll be getting decent money thrown at them

i know many fans including our own were laughing last year, when we signed a prop every week but it has proven to have been very shrewd business so far, as we've seen out injuries and suspensions and been competitive most weeks, and we've got 2 project signings in Eseh and Chan to add to our rotation, hopefully after a good pre-season

It was extremely shrewd business by Wigan but then to be fair their succession planning has been on point for a couple of years now which is why they are the top dogs.

Personally I'd take Chris Hill for 12 months. His experience would be invaluable in bringing on the likes of Delaney and Stephens. I still think there's a player in Delaney, just needs a bit more size.

Beyond props, it feels like a few teams need plenty of players yet in various positions. Leeds and Huddersfield have new coaches and will want to do things. Hull, Leigh and Cas still have to bring players in and then we could have a new side in the league. Saints are also finalising their squad by the looks if it. It's probably a result of the IMG gradings in some cases and it's a world away from previous years when it felt like teams squads for the following year were all sorted come August/September in the current season. It'll be an interesting few months and is good for the game in a way as it can be a long off season with no news.

In terms of Wigan, we can sit back and watch it all unfold and you never know, an opportunity may open up somewhere if the club thinks it's worthwhile. A second rower is the only position that feels like we could do with an addition.

Hill probably not a bad shout, although you wont please all supporters if you did sign him. We tried it with Singleton (didnt really work) and Cooper to bring in a battle hardened prop to support the development of our young uns. a 12 month deal for Hill with +1 in clubs favour would probably get him to sign

I think Delaney needs to amend his technique and he will
Be fine.

I wanted us to sign Hill a couple of seasons ago when he was leaving Wire. He's still capable of playing decent minutes at a good level.

And he is in the right age bracket over 30s

I may be in the minority but I think Briers will be the difference for you next year. Wellens knows how to get his team to defend and clearly can motivate them. If Briers can get your attack ticking you’ll be genuine contenders again.

I’d agree Lomax is pretty much done and a shadow of the player he was but there’s life in Walmsley providing his minutes are managed properly.

I'm really interested to see what difference Briers can make. He seemed really popular at Wigan and there was a pick up in performance but it's always difficult to judge exactly what assistant coaches bring when they come in at the same time as the head man and even more so in a side with Field and French back in it and playing well. In his two most recent assistant coaches job, he's had Smith, French and Field in the Wigan side and Reynolds, Mam and Walsh in the Brisbane side. They're two sets of backs who cover pretty much all bases for you in an attack. His contribution was probably huge but I think most attacking coaches worth their salt could do something with those guys.

At Saints he will be coming in to add to the existing coaching team and to work under a head man who has been under pressure. They are getting some new backs in but guys like Welsby and Lomax will still be in those spine positions, so his contribution should be far more noticeable and easy to judge.

Briers may suggest a swap around in the backs. Richardson to full back, Welsby 6 and Lomax at 7.
There will be changes at Saints and I'd imagine Wellens and` Briers have discussed it fully already.
Briers will have an impact, no doubt about that!

I don’t think Wire won it but Saints threw it away. The seasoned pros could not close out the game. Having said that, it was a masterclass from Williams.

Agreed. At 4-16 Saints of old would have probably scored another three or four tries and won at a canter.

I am a tad surprised that we have not heard anything recently from our Saints friends, has anyone checked the Carr Mill Dam?