Funnily, our success in recent years can be described as minimal at best. If young players are signing for us, I'd suggest it's because we offer more kids more opportunities to make it than most others, by investing much of our money into youth (and infrastructure), as opposed signings that potentially would of led to more success.

But of course we can argue all day: does success breed good youth teams or do good youth teams breed success? McManus (and myself) believe the latter before the former - hence the top ratings for Saints academy...

Blimey you want to try following Salford our last major trophy was in 1976. Personally I'd respect McManus more if he said he voted no because it could affect St Helens future success rather than dress it up in another disguise.

I don't understand why a Sneyd Whisperer like you - a man with a direct line into the player's mind - needs to ask such a question, but I'd guess it's because he thought his chances of getting a regular start at Salford next season were limited and he'd be better off elsewhere. He asked for a transfer and Marwan, being the baby eating ogre he is, granted him one.

I thought marwan was ignoring the cap anyway?

You should change your name

Yes,change it to Rolf.

Just a small point, Kallum Watkins lived in Altrincham, and played for Latchford Albion in Warrington.
He was able to sign for Latchford as he didn't live in an area classed as Salford's catchment.

He started playing rugby for Langworthy at under 8 level (or under 12), and later joined Salford as an academy player. Then he got picked up by Leeds.

Kallum played his junior rugby in the same team as Jack Spencer for folly lane, his brother Kash who is now at Swinton was also at Folly. Kallum got moved to Latchford at u16's then got signed by Leeds. He was a ball boy along with Kash at Salford.

Why?

But you could also say that a yes vote was also based on self interest as well.
Remember the the whole idea of the salary cap was to make super league a competition that in theory could be won by any of the teams in it. Apart from the bottom team it has been very equal this year in that from teams 1 to 13 all have on their day been capable of beating any body. If we leave it as it is it will be even better next year with 12 fairly even teams, Bringing in marquee players will destroy what has taken years to evolve as will using devious ways to get round the salary cap. I would be much more likely to travel over to watch Cas away knowing they had an even chance of winning than i would to see an over paid marquee player in a team who had been assembled with scant regard for the cap. I would hope most genuine rugby league fans would wish for the same. As Stevo said on backchat tonight you would have 6 super teams playing each other and the rest would disappear. Seriously is that what you want.

Kallum played for Langworthy Reds from 8yrs old but was picked up while at Latchford. Granted he did also spend time at Folly

rlhttp://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/kallum-watkins-discusses-reugby-league-6330768rl

NO you didnt hit a nerve at all you gave one name of Kyle Eastmond to prove your Feeder competition theory.
You then state as "fact" he would have been some kind of Superleague star but thats easy for you to say because we will never know, he was a raw largely unproven St Helens youngster who started out quite brightly as did so many other kids.
You could have said the same about Lee Gaskell if he had then gone to union soon after he burst onto the scene, the fact is he stayed in League and proved he isnt a superstar.

Chris Hill hasn't gone to Union or the NRL despite interest from down under neither has James Roby or Kevin Sinfield MBE, Darryl Clarke isnt off to the NRL or union so I'm struggling to see the feeder competition you speak of.

Gareth Hock Was NRL bound but is still a superleague player. Rangi Chase was linked with St George around the same time and has also been persuaded to stay.

Everyone panicked when all these players were supposedly leaving the feeder league in fact it just ended up being Sam Tomkins, hopless Lee Mossop and squad player Mike cooper(who comes back to wire after his 2 year stint ).

Hardly an Exodus of top talent....but if it helps you believe the league is rubbish then crack on, we are busy signing up 6 more British youngsters on longer deals, while you worry about Lee smith being lost to the game