Lui would be a huge backward step. Let's have some ambition please. That's a 2002 quality signing, not 2018. We have the money, let's spend it on quality, not settle for a "reduced in the sale" average halfback

Just as an observation, I've seen Roberts bagged on here as being from a "struggling NRL side" but then suggest we replace with a HB from struggling SL sides.

I'm sure we can aim our sights higher than Mellor.

We should be going for Mellor exactly for all the reasons you highlighted.

Mellor has to be an absolute no...he's plain average in general. I do like the fact he isn't scared to take the Line on though.

He could have made a decent partner to Roberts who would have minced around passing and kicking while leaving Mellor to split defences with his running game.

But as we are now replacing Roberts it makes perfect sense to purchase two quality half backs not one and then opt for a Lui Mellor or Matty Smith option for the other.

People cannot see the woods for the trees with Mellor.

This lad is playing way above his weight week in week out keeping Widnes on the front foot...not only that he tackles pretty darn good too.
Like Brown did, Mellor plays with a shallow squad and with a beaten pack. Get him here with out squad and like Brown he'll shine.

He reminds me very much like Nathan Wood but with greater presence.
I'd look nowhere else.

It'll be hard enough to get 1 above average half back at the moment, never mind two, and then have to let them bed in.

Mellor wouldn't be a bad call though, we struggle with him nearly every game, and thats off his own back, without decent forwards or ratchford or charnley as a foil.

Quote Fantastic Mr Cat="Fantastic Mr Cat"It'll be hard enough to get 1 above average half back at the moment, never mind two, and[u then have to let them bed in. [/u'" Just more arguing for limitations. True quality can hit the ground running - proof Andrew Johns. Watch debut here if you need reminding https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqsuCIfcO_o

Quote Fantastic Mr Cat="Fantastic Mr Cat"It'll be hard enough to get 1 above average half back at the moment, never mind two, and[u then have to let them bed in. [/u'" Just more arguing for limitations. True quality can hit the ground running - proof Andrew Johns. Watch debut here if you need reminding https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqsuCIfcO_o

Quote Wires71="Wires71"Just more arguing for limitations. True quality can hit the ground running - proof Andrew Johns. Watch debut here if you need reminding https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqsuCIfcO_o'" AJ had an effect but it was more a metal than his attribution..imo it was Brent Gross who was the real difference. ....anyways what happened against Hull then W71?

Quote Wires71="Wires71"Just more arguing for limitations. True quality can hit the ground running - proof Andrew Johns. Watch debut here if you need reminding https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqsuCIfcO_o'" AJ had an effect but it was more a metal than his attribution..imo it was Brent Gross who was the real difference. ....anyways what happened against Hull then W71?

That was a bad night, I'll give you that. I was a VP back then and I remember just hitting the bar at HT. But I don't think it was attributed to Johns. Hull came out of the shed firing on all cylinders.

All I am putting forward is the idea we should be ambitious with who we target and be prepared to use our wealth and marquee spot. Surely we could tempt someone good for £0.5M per year + bonus. If not, then we look to the likes of Mellor.

We have grown up watching Wire HB's like Kelly, Gregory, Woods, Shelford, Langer, Johns, Briers, Myler, Gidley, Sandow. All quality players.

I think this is what makes me disappointed with 2nd/3rd tier players like Durbin, Hulse, Dwyer, O'Brien, Patton, Mellor et al.

Mellor
Pace - tick
Takes on the line - tick
defensively sound - tick
Scores tries - tick
Passes both ways - short and long -tick
decent injury record - tick
Leads back line - tick
decent kicking game - tick

I've said for 3 years we should sign him

And a Warringtonian