I can't be bothered trawling through old threads, and I'm going to generalise opinion here a tad, but I reckon twelve months back we'd have had some pretty different views on members of our squad, for example.

Monaghan End 2008 - If he wants to go home let him go. He doesn't look happy, his body language is bad, here for the money, blah blah.

Monaghan Now - Arguably best hooker in SL. Arguably the most important player in our squad, a little bit similar to Cameron Smith for Australia, everything good starts from him, be it if he goes himself or gets us off in the right direction.

Harrison End 2008 - Not sure what he is, needs to kick on. Had plenty of issues off field this year, big year for him next year. One of a number of players after a bench spot, 'demoted' in the squad numbers and folk like Blythe have probably jumped him.

Harrison Now - Up there with the best prospects in SL, integral to what we do, incredible workrate, just seems to get better & better. Can't leave him out.

King End 2008 - Again, let him go, duck egg. Shoots out of the line, can't defend, blunt in attack, waste of money.

King Now - Good player, solid. Happy to keep him, had his best game for us when it mattered and will continue to be a big player.

Cooper End 2008 - Who? Needs to get fit, too much puppy fat. Will be lucky to get a game next year, 6th choice prop ehind Moz, Carvell, Wood, Rau & Picks.]

Cooper Now - For me, our best young player this year. I don't think there's many better props than him kicking around in SL. Never gets taken backwards, fantastic leg drive, has the lot, an offload, pace, strength, he's durable, just looks an immense propsect. Massive part of our 17 now.

Bridge End 2008 - Gulp, god knows. Scrapheap ? Injury prone, won't get near our 17. If he does get fit, what is he ? Attitude problems. [Clearly, as I love him, I never thought all of this, did I Rob ?]

Bridge Now - England centre, 25 apps, up there with the best right centres in the competition. Again, cemented into out first 13, and arguably showing form that minimises the loss of Martin Gleeson.

There'll be more, clearly, I've used these as an example. Thing is, there's a reason for each of these, what I mean is, events trigger things, such as Higham breaking his arm, sort of forcing Monas to hooker. Rauhihi losing his fitness, Wood getting injured giving Cooper a run. Gleeson not fitting into Che's plans so right centre opened up for him and he grasped it.

Who do we see prospering in 2010, generally it's other folks misfortune that opens doors for others, I wonder who'll be the players who kick on or change perceptions in 2010, or simply come from nowhere ??.

Monas took the brunt of my frustration at times as he was being paid a lot of cash for doing a job that he just couldn't get to grips with. His frustration on the pitch led to apathy amongst fans and to be quite honest if we were facing another season with him at 7 I would still be saying let him go if he wants to.

However.

As reluctant as I was to move him to 9 as I believed (believe) we have two more than capable hookers to do that job I was most pleased for him that he had found a role in the team that he was good at (very good). His whole game changed his body language towards other players the lot. I even caught him smiling a couple of times.

Even though scrum half is one of the most important postitions on the pitch, Monas at hooker could easily be the difference between us having a good season and winning another trophy. Maybe a more important one.

I am now over the moon that he is here and enjoying it. After all that's all anybody wanted.

I think your being a bit harsh on Cooper(200icon_cool.gif. IIRC he suffered a very nasty injury playing for the reserves that could have seen him never play the game again. Bearin this in mind, he has come arguably the furthest distance in the last year or so.

I think mitchell & Blythe need to step up this season and follow the likes of cooper & Harrison. In my opinion Mitchell is still living of the try he scored against leeds at home 2 seasons ago, Hope he proves me wrong.

Totally agree on that one mate.

I don't think I am.

That's the point, his development in the last 12 months has been staggering. Folk questioned certain elements of his game, like his agility for example and he wasn't considered by many to get too many games. He's been a revelation for us.

McCarthy too, look at him twelve months back, reserves to CC Winner.

I'm really looking forward to see our young players step up to the mark this season. TS certainly seems to have brought some real focus to their game.

Cooper - Seems to have the lot. Every year is is going to get bigger and stronger. If he stays injury free this could be a monster season for him.

Blythe - Jurys out on blythe for me...

Mitchell - see Blythe.

McCarthy - Very high hopes for the lad. Be interesting to see how much TS uses him.. and when

Harrison - man mountain now. Totally agree with the original posters comments on Harrison. I really didnt see where he had to go at the begining of the season. TS has totally transformed him. Some massive hits last season. Now an integral part of the pack. Another player who is only going to get bigger and stronger... some players are going to feel the full force this coming season.

Penny - god only knows

I hope Monagahan meets the high expectations.

Did Higham?

I think he did

Tony Smith end 2008 - responsible for our shambles in the World Cup, couldn't manage the splits in the camp between Saints and Leeds players, selected the wrong team and played players in the wrong positons. And to think some people wanted him as the man for Warrington.

Vintage.

most of 08 and start of 09 most people on here wanted rid of paul wood

LOL.

I must say there are many more players in the squad I'd rather not be without than Paul Wood even now, loyal servant as he is.