Agreed. All players have been poor apart from the last too weeks. With a proper 7 in walsh he may flourish. See what happens I guess

Some may not agree but I'd keep him especially if there's no other options available. If we manage to get rid of Hohaia that will free the necessary cash for a Stand Off but we'll need a back up hooker. Howarth may not be the most talented but he gives 100% and is a decent back up option who will probably be on a fairly low salary. Roby surely won't miss as many games next year so he'd be a bit part player.

Slowest passer of the ball I've ever seen at 9 for saints, never a saints standard hooker

I am sure we have plenty of cover if Roby does get injured - we don't need another hooker unless that happens. Wilkin, Wellens, Flanagan.

No need to have people in the team who are not required, they may not take up much cap space but they do take up some.

He may have played well in the last couple of games but he isn't of the standard we need if we are to get back to being a team competing for trophies

I think I would see if he improves his performance consistency. Playing Roby for 80 minutes the last 2 season swas OK short term but has made him less effective.
It looks as though we might be 1 or 2 more seasons away for a "proper" hooker and not an adaptable one.
Probably an improved Howarth would be a better option, maybe Brown can improve his game similar to what he did at Hudd with Moore.

Injury prone?!

If we dont keep Howarth then Leeds are releasing Liam Hood, thats the cheapest deal around.

This is really up in the air.

I'd keep him, I've slated him but you can't fault his commitment. He gets stuck in, wants to play and do well. He's been much improved recently, like he's playing for a contract.

I'd rather give Speakman a go to be honest. One swallow doesn't make a summer.

100% agreed.

+1

As Saddo says, the fact he's hard working (and a pretty smart player, I think) mens that when Saints are going well, he looks good, but when we're not performing, he looked soooo far adrift of the standard we're looking for.

In the 30 minutes in the snow that we saw him, speakman's service looked very slick.

But couldnt tackle a Sunday dinner. Fair while off yet

Without doubt. Couple of years away in my opinion.

In regards to Howarth, I thought he was brilliant in Catalan just as he was against Wigan to be fair. Weather he deserves a permanent deal in another question altogether but he has responded well to the criticism that has come his way. His defensive qualities have been questioned this season and rightfully so at times, but he has been huge for us in that respect over the past couple of weeks. Hard working, great technique and puts his body on the line. Looks much fitter than he was when he first came as well.

Doesn't offer much in attack but he does the basics well in my opinion. If he can continue as he is who knows.

Another good game from Howarth last night i thought he must be offered a new contract as cover for Roby

I reckon Howarth is doing OK, will obviously never be a Roby Standard, but I like his work rate and his enthusiasm to get involved, not afraid to give a bit of biff as well.
If Brown works on his distribution skills I would give him a 12 month contract and see how he goes from there.

I say keep him.

He was superb against Wigan and Cats and played OK last night as well. He looks to have found form and confidence, he tackles like a maniac as well.

Totally agree. Keeping a player who will never be first choice sends a wrong message to the juniors who's place he will be taking.

I thought he was pretty quite Friday night. He's very hit and miss IMO. He's played top class against Leeds away, against Wigan at home and also against Catalan but other than that he's been poor and some weeks totally shocking.

I've watched him in some games this year and thought to myself just how far we've gone back having him playing for us because he's not even a super league standard player but then he's played top class against 3 of the better teams.

You've kind of hit the nail on the head though , top players are consistent. Howarth has pulled out a few performances in the big games when everyone around him has been fired up , for me he's not worth a contract I'd rather look at someone with more potential if we dont have a young lad of our own .. Brad Dwyer maybe?

Interesting that Jon Wilkin was playing dummy half on Friday. Could this be Brown having a look if Wilkin can cover Robes next year if he gets injured.

Might be, also might not be that bad an idea if were going to start with 3 props rather than a loose.

I was thinking that when Brown said that Lms found his position at 13. Wilkin can't play before Sia and Manu so will be interesting to see where Wilkin will fit in.

I'd pick Wilkin as my player of the year for this season. He's really held us together this year and dread to see where we would be without him. He's stepped into the halves and done a great job to the best of his ability. He doesn't claim to be a halfback or great kicker but he's done that Job for us that nobody else in the club could do.

+1

Its an awkward situation for me, so much kudos has to go to Wilkin for playing out of position and, as the rest of the team has started pulling their weight, then he's looked a lot more comfortable.

However, I honestly don't think he's a good enough back row in the areas I consider key to warrant a starting birth - especially if we're starting with 3 props.
Manu and Sia are obvious choices for the starting birth, Jones is currently outstanding, Flash is a much harder character and Thompson, Walker and Greenwood are more than ample back up.

I think we're all agreed he's not up to the standard of halfback that we'd want if trophies are to be a realistic target.

I see him playing 6 more than any other role, but perhaps he'll slip into the bench role that Wellens has been playing - a bit of 6, a bit of hooker and a bit of back row?

The ruthless boss would cash in on him and sell him to Salford, but I can't see that happening.

I think Wilko's been brilliant for us this season. He's the first to admit that he isn't a Scrum-Half but he has done it for the good of the team, and he's held it together at times when it looked as though we may fall apart. Earlier on in the season he was making 35+ tackles, along with being asked to control the side which is an awful lot of responsibility. He's sacrificed a World Cup place for the club this season, and as a leader he has been huge for us. Been playing really well lately as well.

As for Howarth, it's a tough one. It's pointless offering a ridiculous wage to a player who will ideally be spending the majority of his time on the bench. Speakman is still a couple of years away for me, and Howarth is settled at the club and is capable of doing a basic job if required. If we had a youngster ready to make the step up it would be different, but we don't.