I had my doubts of Gaskell early this season and thought he needed another season under his belt. However having seen him put in some very decent performances during the play offs I,m wondering if has now come of age helped by having a settled side this season.
Last night every time he attacked the line, the Wigan defense looked uncertain and he was a constant threat aided and abetted by Lomax.
So well done Gaskell, maybe a grand final appearance will be the makings of him.

On a negative note, his kicking was rubbish last night, lets hope he gets that right for the Final.

At the moment he has good and bad days. He will improved with experience and hopefully with a full pre season at 7 Lomax will be able to offer more support next year

Lomax needs to get more involved next week.Thought Gaskell stepped up last night,although is kicking was average

For someone so young to take on the line so well is brilliant to see! He reminds me of Leon pryce, the way he plays, the way he attacks the line and his overall body structure! Tall quite skinny but deceptively strong!

felt compelled to write about this kid, and the other youngsters in the team, you have 3 players in gaskill, forster and lomax who could walk straight into a england/GB jersey staight off the bat, i know it wont happen, pushed to young too hard dribble we talk as where putting peacock and other cripples in the side, gaskill i watched with great pleasure, he tackles anything and well. his kicks are great, usually, but he takes it up to the line and the defense just dont know what he's going to do, its great to watch. even though he isnt muscle bound and prertty odd looking he will shine in the near future. i think thats about it, cheers and hope you give leeds a good piping in the final

He Is the Dark Lord!

Where does Lance Hohaia fit into your team next season? If you have Wellens at FB, Gaskell and Lomax at HB and Roby and Moore interchanging at hooker, I can't see where your going to play him.
Your 2 HB's are good now and in my opinion will form a great partnership, I do believe they will eventually become the England 6 and 7.

Gaskill & Lomax are fantastic prospects. Foster is a million miles from an international, he can kick, the end.

With the exception of Wellens, the rest will probably be of dual role capabilities. For the past 3 seasons saints injuries in the backs have been horrendous which is one of the reasons we have failed at the final hurdle .Hopefully the strength in depth will give us better options in a tough superleague campaign.
If all the mentioned are available for selection then Royce Simmonds will have the luxury of player rotation which we have not had since 2006 season.

I understand what your saying, and Hohaia is a very versatile player, having played 1,6,7 and 9.

Played very well last night, every time him and Lomax attacked our line I was worried. I'd bet you didn't feel the same when Finch and Tommy did the same for us, which speaks volumes.

Foster is also a fantastic finisher.

Lulu is a hooker for me. Finch can pick up the role of 7 but needs a good 6 to play alongside him .. maybe you'll promote a young lad through or move Tomkins back to 6

LOL I was thinking that.

I think people are harsh on Foster. As you say, he's an excellent finisher, but I also think he has great composure for a young lad. His howler in the first half was very uncharacteristic IMO; I generally feel quite relaxed when the opposition move or kick the ball over to his wing.

I think we have got to realise that our young players are not the finished yet there is still a lot of improvement to come. Gaskell and Foster probably need another 5kg of muscle with more pace and strength, they have the right temperament and will be better experienced players next season.

This.

The performances that Gaskell, Lomax, Foster et al have put in this year have exceeded most of our expectations, and is money in the bank.

When Gaskell was brought into the team, no-one would have expected him to put in a man of the match performance in a GF eliminator against Wigan.

One of our 'unfinished articles' may well find themselves with a Harry Sunderland trophy this time next week.

Exciting times ahead in terms of the development of these lads.

If Leon Pryce is fit, does he play?

For me yes. But only on the Bench and only if he 100%

I think Jamie foster is the weak link at saints at the moment. He's suspect under kicks and his defence is terrible at the moment. He defo needs to get his feet back on the ground and get back to playing the rugby he played at the back end of last year and the middle of this year.

I expect Leeds to put a lot of pressure on him next as he could take Meli's place in losing us grand finals.

Bench.

Lomaskell have earned the shirts.

If I were McD that would be Plan A, B & C.

Quote ="St pete"He's suspect under kicks'" He's not, though. His airshot last night aside, I can't think of many (any?) major mistakes dealing with kicks. He's of huge value to us. Going into a Grand Final with such a consistent kicker (and very handy finisher) is a massive plus. His stats don't compare badly with the guy pretty much considered the best winger we've had in the last 10 years... www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2011 First Wilkin, now Foster. What is it with you and pretty boys?

Quote ="St pete"He's suspect under kicks'" He's not, though. His airshot last night aside, I can't think of many (any?) major mistakes dealing with kicks. He's of huge value to us. Going into a Grand Final with such a consistent kicker (and very handy finisher) is a massive plus. His stats don't compare badly with the guy pretty much considered the best winger we've had in the last 10 years... www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2011 First Wilkin, now Foster. What is it with you and pretty boys?

Totally agree with this, too - the pair have made themselves undroppable.

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