Quote ="SaintsFan"It was indeed early on. As I said, it was when we first realised we would be without Pryce and Eastmond. And as I also said, I think, the article in the St Helens Star quoted Simmons as saying that McManus had asked him for names, he had provided them - including Hohaia, who he thought could do a job. But Simmons also said there 'wasn't much out there', which we know to be true subsequently. Seen any new Aussie/Kiwi halfbacks signed up lately? Wigan would have jumped at one if there was one to be had, surely? Instead, they nick one from Hull KR and partner him with Matty Smith - not on anyone's radar a few years back if memory serves.
I got the impression from the article in the local rag that Simmons did what was asked of him but as always the signings are down to McManus. McManus said as much himself at a fans forum I went to last season when he also admitted to getting the release of Gilmour wrong.
Josh Perry was signed during Potter's reign at the club. That was a big mistake IMO. I'm quite sure Potter was asked for names of props by McManus too and suggested Perry as one who could do a job. As it turns out he's been a bum signing but he could just as easily have been brilliant.
Gaskell and Lomax played throughout the 2011 season, and Simmons favoured them even when Eastmond and Pryce were available, although I am quite sure Simmons came under pressure to play Eastmond for even longer than he did given that Eastmond was supposed to be the bees knees. However, I don't think we have missed him at all but last season we did miss Lomax and Gaskell as a partnership because IMO they are a proper halfback partnership, and complement each other well (which is after all what a successful partnership does).
Has anyone read Brown's interview in League Weekly this week? It's well worth a read. Based on what he has said in it Gaskell is the dogs whatsits, and his partnership with Lomax the top dog's whatsists.'"
Yeah I read that article in rugby weekly not a bad write up
