I just hope we don't lose fluidity in our attack with Smithies gone. His pivot play was hugely underrated particularly this season...not many 13's doing that anymore to the level he has been.

Walter- I’ve seen enough out of him this season to be happy with him replacing KPP. In a poor Leeds side he seemed to stand out for his effort. Some of the lines he ran as well were good. KPP has been great but like it’s been said only at the back end. I think with Walters he’ll give us a solid 7 out of 10 every games.

Keighran- I’m not too sure about and to be honest I think that’s because I haven’t seen much of him. We’ll definitely loose the yards that king made. Keighran did put some good hits on Saturday obviously not the one he was sent off for

Thompson- is the worry for me. Will he get to full fitness. I do trust our forwards to be able to compete if he’s not ready to start the season. Might be looking at burnt fingers with this signing. If it does go well and we get the Thompson of old. I’m really looking forward to seeing someone with the strength to score from a crash ball. I don’t think I’ve seen us have a prop crash over from 5 out in a good while,

Leeming- I think will be good. From what I’ve heard he was vocal at Leeds about players not putting 100% or being better. If that’s true, he’s in the right environment at Wigan as Peet will demand 100% off the lads. Defensively he can improve but his back up play is great.

Chan- just seems like a project signing. Not really seen much of him. We must have seen something in him to sign him but yet again Catalan must have been happy to let him go.

Why wouldn't he be? He worked his socks off to make the last couple of games in the NRL and will have pre season to be in the best possible condition.

I don't understand the negativity, he had a troublesome foot injury which he has had the all clear from

More than happy to be proven wrong but his track record of staying on the field hasn’t been great

I understand that but he has signed a fully fit player so I don't understand why he wont be fit to start next season

I agree with all that, but also trust the coaching staff to improve the players already here. Most of whom are young (only really Farrell and Isa towards the end).

That's the point. I think what Stu has said is all fair & right - any side will miss the likes of Smithies and KPP on recent form. But we have a squad full of players who still have ceilings a fair bit above what we saw last season, which should be ominous for the rest of the league.

You would swap him for Jack Farrimond in a heartbeat?

Seen saints have signed Ritson. From what I’ve seen he hasn’t done too bad. His defence didn’t look great.

Ritson and Whitley..... I am beside myself with worry.

Clarke should be good for them but he is a very inadequate replacement for Roby (but, to be fair, how could you replace him???)

Their recruitment so far just screams Cunningham but we will see who else they have lined up

I am not sure that Clark will be a downgrade on Roby, in 2023, from a playing perspective. He looked like he had done a year too long. However, what he won’t have is the respect Roby had in the dressing room and on the training ground. Saints would be mad not to have Roby around the players on a daily basis given the standards that he set (much like Lockers at Wigan). It would also take some of the pressure off Wellens.

They had a consummate...you might even say the ultimate... professional in Roby. I'm pretty sure they aren't getting that with Clark.

We will never have any of our team good enough to play for St Helens
Whitley upgrade on Faz,Walters,Isa,Nsemba
Ritson upgrade on Marshy,Miski
Clarke upgrade on O'neil,Powell.Leeming
Their recruitment is so much stronger than ours.

I don't disagree with your definition of Roby but, in my eyes, his form waned last season and I am sure that Clark can hit Roby's 2023 standards in 2024.