From what I remember it was the staggered payment of the Fielden contract that was deemed against the spirit, not the timing of the signing. Against the spirit or not I actually thought it was genius from Maurice.

I'm pretty sure that was it too. Whilst contracts can improve, you can't pay someone £250 in year one and then £400k in year 2. I know that's an extreme example, but you get my drift.

It was and it didnt break any rules so they made one up...

Did we not adjust some of the contracts of existing players to make room for the Fielden and Dobson? That was my understanding but I'm trying to pick a nearly 20yr old memory from a time when I really enjoyed myself at games so any conversations I had might have been misunderstood on my part

Re Saints fans insults I agrre it's embarasing. Sadly it's something that's crept in amongst certain sections of our fan base over the last few years

The Saints fans who come on here and contribute (Stu & Yellow Giraffe) know their stuff and are obviously sensible people who love RL. Always enjoy their insights from a non-Wigan fan perspective.

However, RedVee in the main is the picture of ignorance. One post caught my eye which stated that young George Delaney was better than Kade Ellis! Ellis was arguably the best prop in a SL winning side. Also the same post forgot to even acknowledge Liam Byrne, they forgot about him! As I say, ignorance must be bliss.

I think our problem next year in the forwards is simply keeping everyone happy. On paper, we should be looking at multiple trophies IMO. But rugby isn't played on paper, unfortunately.

I still think there will be a few departures. Hill and Shorrocks to name two.

Bloody hell Stu, bit much this.

Saints will still be spending the salary, they’ll still be using all the overseas quota, they’ve still got one of the top teams in SL.

You’re making out like 3/4 of these 18 year olds will be in your starting team every week.

Roby has retired and you’ve literally signed the England hooker to replace him. Also replaced LMS with a starting back rower from a Grand final team.

Apart from one of the wingers, you’ve no holes in your squad.

You’ve just promoted youth players to be squad numbers 27-33 (which most teams will do) after letting several of them squad numbers go from last year.

Class of 92

There’s a huge ignorance from a few Saints fans towards Kaide Ellis in general. I’ve read a number of disparaging comments about him but that’s fine. In fairness, I don’t think some of our fans realise (or realised) how good he is but that’s turning now (I remember on TotalRL a couple of Wigan fans saying we shouid get shut mid season. I nearly fell off my chair). Silly suspensions and an injury just halted his momentum at times last year, so he flew under the radar but he was excellent and statistically that was backed up. I’ve said before, I think he’s the most underrated player in the league. He’s got pretty much everything you’d want in a modern day prop.

There will be a signing or two yet I’m sure. There has to be at least one back brought in you’d imagine. I just can’t buy that Saints will go in to a season with Hurrell and Bennison first choice, Davies and Ritson first reserves and then no real back up (outside of kids) for Welsby or the halves. Trying rack my brains if I’ve forgot someone but nobody is jumping out. We’ve only really got Hampshire in terms of experienced back up but he along with Keighran and French are extremely versatile and Eckersley and Douglas are a year or two in front of those kids Saints have promoted.

Not so sure you know, I think our signings are done.

There were heavy rumours of Waqa Blake and then Olam but they’ve died a death now and we don’t seem to be linked to anyone.

I know we made a play for Ackers with a view of Mbye playing 7 with the thoughts that Dodd was off to the NRL but obviously that’s all fallen through and Ackers has ended up at Leeds.

Suppose Mbye can cover a few spots but that backline definitely looks like it needs at least one more option. Plenty of time yet though. On the rumours thread somebody mentioned Toby King. He’s come on leaps and bounds this season in a few areas (fitness and defensively being the main two) and I know you wanted him before he signed that big deal at Wire.

Looking from the outside squad wise, you'd think a left winger and a centre must be top of their wish list, finding them is obviously the hard part