Re: Closing the game out : Mon Sep 11, 2017 1:36 pm  

tugglesf78 wrote:

I know Williams pretty much hit he ground running but his overnight success actually came after a tough first 12 months.

Due to injuries, I think Williams played at hooker more than he did at stand-off during his initial consistent run in the first team.

Agree with you on Shorrocks - not sure if he'll be ready to make the step-up to first team regular next year. Think he needs at least another season relatively injury free before we can see him as the incumbent scrum-half.

Re: Closing the game out : Wed Sep 13, 2017 1:10 pm  

As the season has progressed it has started to dawn on people that getting rid of Smith has been a mistake. Game management and kicking in play have been woeful this season from scrum half. I can't quite believe that Tommy hasn't just swapped positions with Powell.

Waney has his favourites and it is clear that Tommy is one of them. I imagine that he will let the season run its' course then address the problem. The solution might be in Sam Tomkins reverting to the halves, but that depends on Escare being fit. Is Sam's body up to all the tackling he'll have to do?

I'd be more than happy with Tommy playing hooker, in fact it seems his natural position, just don't let him kick!

My own favoured solution is Danny Brough on a one year deal with the promise of a well paid second if he doesn't upset anyone(!!!), because he's the best attacking kicker in the league, including Gale. And let Shorrocks come through gradually.

Re: Closing the game out : Wed Sep 13, 2017 1:53 pm  

Getting rid of Smith wasn't a mistake, replacing him with Tommy was. It's now obvious to everyone that we need a kicking 7. Smith's kicking game wasn't even that good, it just sort of got by but TL's is shocking at best.

I agree Powell and TL should swap around but no chance of that happening now, Wane is dead set on Powell being a 9, it seems like most of his creativeness has been coached out of him.

Re: Closing the game out : Thu Sep 14, 2017 10:25 am  

Aboveusonlypie wrote: As the season has progressed it has started to dawn on people that getting rid of Smith has been a mistake. Game management and kicking in play have been woeful this season from scrum half. I can't quite believe that Tommy hasn't just swapped positions with Powell. Waney has his favourites and it is clear that Tommy is one of them. I imagine that he will let the season run its' course then address the problem. The solution might be in Sam Tomkins reverting to the halves, but that depends on Escare being fit. Is Sam's body up to all the tackling he'll have to do? I'd be more than happy with Tommy playing hooker, in fact it seems his natural position, just don't let him kick! My own favoured solution is Danny Brough on a one year deal with the promise of a well paid second if he doesn't upset anyone(!!!), because he's the best attacking kicker in the league, including Gale. And let Shorrocks come through gradually. Give it up mate, even Saints fans want rid of Smith. They both do nothing in attack but at least Leuluai defends well. Agree that we should try swapping Powell and Leuluai, risky at this point in the season I suppose. S.Tomkins to the halves and Leuluai to hooker next season would definitely appear to be the way to go. If Brough was ever going to sign for a big club, I think he would have done it by now. He also gives away a ridiculous number of penalties.

Aboveusonlypie wrote: As the season has progressed it has started to dawn on people that getting rid of Smith has been a mistake. Game management and kicking in play have been woeful this season from scrum half. I can't quite believe that Tommy hasn't just swapped positions with Powell. Waney has his favourites and it is clear that Tommy is one of them. I imagine that he will let the season run its' course then address the problem. The solution might be in Sam Tomkins reverting to the halves, but that depends on Escare being fit. Is Sam's body up to all the tackling he'll have to do? I'd be more than happy with Tommy playing hooker, in fact it seems his natural position, just don't let him kick! My own favoured solution is Danny Brough on a one year deal with the promise of a well paid second if he doesn't upset anyone(!!!), because he's the best attacking kicker in the league, including Gale. And let Shorrocks come through gradually. Give it up mate, even Saints fans want rid of Smith. They both do nothing in attack but at least Leuluai defends well. Agree that we should try swapping Powell and Leuluai, risky at this point in the season I suppose. S.Tomkins to the halves and Leuluai to hooker next season would definitely appear to be the way to go. If Brough was ever going to sign for a big club, I think he would have done it by now. He also gives away a ridiculous number of penalties.