Plus, unlike Deacon, he can run

Is Deacon playing this weekend by the way? Did he play last weekend?

Deacon back in the squad for Hull KR yes. Much needed too

Meh never been impressed by Hohaia, although Saint's or anyone in SL were always more likely to sign someone of his caliber rather than a Thurston or a Cronk. My feelings on him are he's a jack of all trades and a master of none. As proved by the fact he doesn't really have a position nailed down for either club or country. Also it's long contract to offer a 28 imo, in contrast Finch signed a 2 year deal and is only a year older. Still I'll be interested to see where he plays for Saint's.

I'm intrigued further has to who else Saint's will sign. Particularly if Graham does indeed leave. He's a huge near impossible player to replace considering what he does. Plus with rumors of Pryce and Puletua also contemplating leaving, that's hell of a lot of strike power departing Saints next year.

I think LMS will take over Grahams role as a long minute prop, but youre right if we lose Graham and Puletua, we'll need 2 top drawer signings to fill the void

A utility player is invaluable in today's game. Would you class the Tomkins brothers as a jack of all trades master of none?

FB or SH, SR or Centre?

Joel's played in the centre's less than 10 times in his career so far, so I think it's safe to say he's a backrower.

Sam although he started as a SO has been a FB for us for more than a year now, and against many fans wishes on here hasn't reverted back to SO for a quite a while. Also I think it's pretty safe to say that Wigan are still working on finding Sam's best position at his young age. While Hohaia at 28 really should have found his position and settled in it.

I wouldn't argue anything against utility players as you say their invaluable. But it's my opinion that if I'm signing a top class overseas player who I'm paying a lot of money for on long term deal I'd want him to be more than just a utility player.

to be fair though, a player who hasnt got a settled position for his world cup winning side, but is usually in it, and has been for 10 years, but will still only be 28 when he gets here isnt all that bad is he?

On his day I think he's a very good fullback from what I've seen. And by all accounts he's a good half back too. I think people are too quick to jump on the assumption that if a player doesn't play just one position then they can't be a quality player.

If you play him at FB in place of Wellens good move IMO. If he's asked to play in the halves then I wouldn't be as happy were I a Saints fan. I'm just glad you didn't manage to sign Cronk that's for sure.

Reading your board and some of the other names your linked, I think you'd be better keeping who you've already got. Graham would be a huge loss, you don't need me to tell you that. But the longer he goes without resigning the less likely he is to stay imo.

I've been imprssed with the Lomax Gaskell combination to be honest. They seem from what I've seen to be playing some good stuff. I'd be tempted to stick with those two next year and like I say go with hohaia at FB.

The huge plus point for you guy's is the stadium you'll have soon. Something I'm a little envious of considering what we gone through recently with the DW.

so he is the same standard as Hock then

We know Eastmond is gone and Pryce may also go. With Lance in, that's 1 half back to replace 2. I'd very much doubt we will be offering Lance the combined Pryce and Eastmond value. So I think Gaskell and Lomax still very much have a future at Saints.

Gaskell has been kinda thrown in at the deep end this year. Some games he's had to be rested for the final 20 to make sure he does not burn out. Player development wise Saints tend to drip feed our kids into the side. It's less of a sink or swim attitude, more a try it with water wings.

The issue at the moment is our plan has been disrupted with Leon being injured and Eastmond being Eastmond. I can see the thinking behind having a little more experience in the half's next year. If we did not sign a half, we would only have 2 relatively inexperienced half backs with no back up. In the last few years we have let go half back wise of

1. Long
2. Smith
3. Eastmond
4. Ellis
5. Pryce???

That's alot of experience gone leaving very little for the young players to learn from.

Gaskell has a 2 year contract, so that effectively gives him 2 years with an experienced player to learn from if he can prove himself to the board and coach in that time to be ready to take over full time. Lance will then be able to take on a more utility role and with Wellens possibly ready for retirement in 2 years we would have a natural replacement.

It's all about balance and as much as we would love a team full of Saints born and bred, sometimes we need that extra level of experience that cannot be brought from within house. Outside experience and international experience sometimes has to be bought.

Saints new half back, what ? not Michael Dobson, thats not what all the Hull FC fans have been saying