1. Paul Wellens, 3. Michael Shenton, 4. Sia Soliola, 5. Francis Meli, 6. Lance Hohaia, 7. Jonny Lomax, 9. James Roby, 10. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 13. Chris Flannery, 15. Mark Flanagan, 16. Paul Clough, 18. Shaun Magennis, 19. Andrew Dixon, 20. Lee Gaskell, 21. Tommy Makinson, 25. Carl Forster, 26. Josh Jones, 28. Joe Greenwood, 29. Anthony Walker. www.saintsrlfc.com/news/page/1931 Ask and thou shalt receive

1. Paul Wellens, 3. Michael Shenton, 4. Sia Soliola, 5. Francis Meli, 6. Lance Hohaia, 7. Jonny Lomax, 9. James Roby, 10. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 13. Chris Flannery, 15. Mark Flanagan, 16. Paul Clough, 18. Shaun Magennis, 19. Andrew Dixon, 20. Lee Gaskell, 21. Tommy Makinson, 25. Carl Forster, 26. Josh Jones, 28. Joe Greenwood, 29. Anthony Walker. www.saintsrlfc.com/news/page/1931 Ask and thou shalt receive

I'd like to see Gaskell on the bench to get a half, with either Lance coming off or moving to hooker with Robes resting.
Boof is being rested, so I'd say Forster will definately be in again.

[size=85Wellens
Makinson Shenton Jones Meli
Hohaia Lomax
LMS Robes Magennis
Flanders Sia Flash

Dixon, Clough, Forster, Gaskell[/size

I'd like to have a look at Greenwood, but I don't know if I can jusitify dropping any of our backrowers,although perhaps Sia deserves a rest.

Where is Perry again? What's up with him?

We are being very silly here. A long term injury to the likes of Sia, Roby or Lomax would make us regret it. I just don't see the point of humiliating Oldham, when we could play the fringe players plus the most promising academy players and still win comfortably.

Roby in particular is not needed. Play Lance there and give Gaskell a run. We could also have given Jamie Foster a confidence boosting run out. I'd love to know what he's done wrong.

An injury to Robes would seriously damage our season. We could bring in Gaskell and have either Lomax or Hohaia cover hooker.

I'd be very happy with this safe approach.

Who's our academy/u20s hooker?
[i**EDIT** Its a lad called Dom Speakman, apparently.[/i

Seams a bit over kill for me. But having said that given the line up I would go.

1. Paul Wellens, 21. Tommy Makinson, 3. Michael Shenton, 26. Josh Jones, 5. Francis Meli, 20. Lee Gaskell, 7. Jonny Lomax,
16. Paul Clough, 6. Lance Hohaia, 10. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 13. Chris Flannery, 4. Sia Soliola, 18. Shaun Magennis,

25. Carl Forster, 28. Joe Greenwood, 29. Anthony Walker, 15. Mark Flanagan,

No need to risk Roby at all. He will be playing the week of the exiles so will not get rested that week. A good enough starting pack to punch holes in Oldham, which should give a nice margin for the likes of Forster, Greenwood and Walker to get a run out. If Gaskell does not make this team you can imagine he will be quite miffed as it's unlikely he'll make any team unless Lance or Lomax are injured.

I'd go with

Swift
Makinson Shenton Jones Meli
Hohaia Lomax
LMS Roby Magennis
Dixon Flannery
Flanaghan

Forster
Gaskell
Clough
Greenwood

SWIFT?????

Any else get the feeling that Gaskell and Foster are gonna be on their way to pastures new come the end of the season? Probably Wheeler too?

With the ascendency of Jones and Swift, probably Foster and Wheeler. Think Gaskell will stay a few more seasons yet to avoid another "Lee Briers".

I wouldn't be shocked. I think it might be Gaskell or Wheeler but it's tricky to see a future for Foster at the moment. Personally I'd like us to keep both Wheeler and Gaskell but maybe look to send one on a season long loan and have the other duel reg so they could provide HB cover

Nope not me.

Not Wheeler, no. Gaskell may go out on loan but that would be a shame. Foster - well, I have no idea. This match was the ideal time to bring Foster and Gaskell back into the party, restore some of their confidence. With old heads in key positions and a bit of grunt up front, it would have been good to see them both back out there. But I don't think the current regime are going to let them back in anytime soon.

He's going to his granddad's funeral on Friday.

It's good to see Makinson back. He's quality. And, fitness pending, he should be played outside of Shenton now.

You are advocating a back on the bench?

I could see us letting Wheeler go if he doesn't cement his position with a solid run of games before the seasons end. If he keeps missing 2/3 games in ever 7/8 then you have to ask, is he worth a new contract? The talent is there yes, but what use is he when he is pulling up each and every week with another muscle problem?

Similar to my thoughts.............If we could move the clock forward 3 years then we could have 1 Ashe 2 Swift 3 Jones 4 Turner 5 Makinson 6 Gaskell 7 Lomax

He's under contract till 2015 I think so no rush with Wheeler. Gaskell has a contract to 2014. Alot can happen in 2 years with a new coach due to come in. I think in this day and age the average joe is far too quick to rush into making definative statements. Knee jerk Journalism has alot to answer for.

Saints need a squad with depth. If we booted out those 3 then we would be replacing with untested and untried from within.

We still have to have 8 players homegrown etc....

Why bin 3 players mid contract who have SL and GF experience to replace with journey men from other clubs or younger untested players from within. In a 25 man squad you can't have all 25 playing every week.

I still think Gaskell has promise. Foster will make it either with us or elsewhere. Wheeler, well he has talent and I'd rather have talent for 5 games out of 8. Than no talent 8 games out of 8.

If you can name replacements who would demand similar cash for equal talent I'd like to see it.

I thought Wheeler was OOC at the end of this season? My mistake, and would also account for why we won't be letting him go!

He signed for two more years a month or so ago.

and then swiftly got injured, again.

I really think (hope) he will get over these niggles and prove to be a top pro and possible international. Skill wise, imo he's well ahead of Gaskell

Sure am, but I'd plan on giving him more than 2 minutes at the end

What do you base that on? All Wheeler has shown in his three or four years in the first team is that he's got a decent step. He's got no kicking game and doesn't seem to have any of the other attributes to make a half back.

His lack of ability to get onto the field on a consistent basis is a major problem for him.

He should never have been offered a new deal, unless it's pay as you play.

Skill wise in regard to what? Stepping? Yes. Kicking and controlling a game? Nowhere near. People appear to be basing their belief on him being a stand off from his youth career (which is no guarantee of anything these days) and 1 half against Wigan last year, the rest of his half back appearances have been average to good, never outstanding.

Gaskell consistently played half back well and didn't let us down for a season and a bit, and this was way ahead of schedule. Let's not forget if all had gone to plan Eastmond and Pryce would have been at half back last year, with Lomax in reserve, not Gaskell. This is another reason why I can't understand people wanting rid of him.

And send the conditioner with him. Since Apollo left the injury count has been unbelievable.

Fully agree.