Didn't Scully captain Warrington at 17?

Personally I am encouraged that they will promote from within the squad, not before time that we start to utilise the structures being put into place at youth levels. Mind you I had heard that we were due to make one more signing, surprised that is no longer happening.

Isn't it nice to see stupidity is still with us...
anyway, back on track
We've had the usual "it's going to have to be a big season for....", but the one we need a big season from, is Carvell. At best this season he's been above average, at worst he's been v. poor. Yes, I know he's had a bad injury, but we need him to step up again. I don't want him to be a one season wonder (2009).
Woody has been streets ahead of him this year. I'd give Cooper plenty of game time next season if Carvell fails to hit form. I hope Mr Smith gets rutheless next season.

Tyrone, Mitchell, Blythe etc NEED to perform next season. What bits I saw of them on a Thursday night, didn't exactly have me in raptures.

Didn't Chris Riley play in the 2005 season when Andrew Johns was here? He seems to have been around for ages. I reckon he's the new Stanley Gene!

This is good analysis. A few people have commented on Saints making good signings for next year which they have done I especially like Perry, but in terms of net comings and goings over the past couple of seasons Saints have probably lost more talent than they have signed. They will have to make up the difference with the improvements of younger players (which they might well do). I think Saints next year will be one of the teams in the mix for trophies but at the moment I reckon Wigan are going to be the front runners in squad quality, with us, Saints and Leeds the others who can credibly win trophies. In most cases losing an iconic player like Cunningham would have been catastrophic (look at what happened to Wigan and Sydney Roosters when Farrell and Fittler left) but Saints have Roby who is in Cunningham's calibre, so they will be able to ride it out.

Yes, we have. We had to do what we have done because they were all ageing at the same time! In the space of two seasons we will have gone from having the oldest squad to the youngest, which is pretty drastic really, but has been founded on some good fortune in that our young players came from the Grand Final winning academy side of 2008.

Given that Wire u20s have done well this year in that they have been at the top of the tree for so much of the season, I would imagine now is a good time for Smith to begin integrating the more talented among them into the first team squad. They will make mistakes but there is nothing quite like watching the enthusiasm of young players and also the way in which they develop as the season progresses. We've been particularly impressed by Jamie Foster at Saints, who turned 20 only a few weeks ago.

Haven't we had quite a few of the U20's training with the first team squad full time towards the end of the season? I know the Evans twins were two of them plus another 6 or so. Smith might already be working his magic

realitycheck wolvesareanageingside whichlackspace athalfback and powerinthe packl sell king briers andcarvell andbringin a topclass standoff alongside myler and two powerful forwards wigan and saints have bought reallywell fornextseason justremember how saints andhudderfield ripped wireapart intheplayoffs a32yearoldfullback isnottheanswer moran overtoyou

why the lack of spaces... surely they teach you that at school?

sorry you halfwit just trying to educate you about next season this is an agingside which needs a class halfback and at least two big forwards not just me saying this but thegreat mike nicko

watchouthemightcallyouahalfwit

Not disappointed at all.

Hodgson is a top class full back. He may be getting on but can certainly do us a good job.
Mathers - when on form eg Challenge Cup - was brilliant and his contribution tio team morale was first class, but not consistent and too many chombos (cock ups).

1-20 Big time expeience

'Nearly' men (eg McCarthy, Mitchell, Blythe) - experience which will stand them in good stead.

No - things are looking up.

No problem in 'big signings' given the restrictions of the salary cap.