This season is done for me now. We're out the cup and we've got alot of catching up to do in the league. Leeds won it from 5th last year but I can't see us doing it simply because we don't have the class to do it IMO. Put us up against Wigan, Warrington and Leeds in a do or die game and I don't think I'd back us.

We rely so much on Roby creating things around the ruck and if he is nullified (which Wigan have done twice) then we offer very little elsewhere. Our half backs are awful. Lomax tries hard and at least commits defenders and brings runners into the game, but his kicking game isn't good enough and he doesn't have the range of passing or the brain to be a midfield general in my view. He'd be a very good full back and I've always seen him as Wello's eventual replacement. On the topic of Wellens, been a class servant for us and tries his b*llocks off but he's far too slow and pedestrian in attack. He had a decent game today but near the line the moves died with our 6, 7 and 1 combination. As for Hohaia, whilst he tries hard, he's simply shocking and has been pretty much all year. Doesn't take the line on, doesn't organise and dictate the game, has an average passing game, doesn't commit defenders, he has a terrible kicking game and doesn't really have the speed to trouble defences. He's not the answer to our half back problems, no way! This is the biggest problem with our team and unless we sort out our 1, 6 and 7 combination we've no chance of lifting silverware anytime soon even with the greatest coach in the world.

Two other problems for me are the lack of a dominant forward or two, someone who can test the defence and make the hard yards constantly - Perry was very poor today, he's so half hearted, he's stealing a living. We're short of someone creative in the pack too, someone who can offload the ball and create 2nd phase play where our nippy players like Roby, Wilkin and Lomax can take advantage of. The other problem is a fast Centre who can break a tackle. Wheeler is a good player but had a really poor game today. Shenton has again flattered to deceive and I'm starting to wonder what cutting edge he brings to the side out wide. I've seen little evidence of any real strike from him, whereas the likes of Meli, Wheeler, Gardner and Makinson have all shown they are capable of making breaks from time to time. We're being linked with Turner and maybe he'll be a better option on the right side for us.

You can't fault the effort and commitment, but we're just not good enough. Too many try hards and not enough quality, leaders and inspiration in the team to lift silverware I'm afraid.

Saintsfan: can you read english? The decisions that clown made re Hohaia and the decision not to sign another big prop are biting us on the big time. Since that idiot left were 6 from 8 I think.
Hohaia is an average squad player at best & certainly no half back. Joke of a quota spot and a complete waste of money, id be willing to pay his air fare home now.
Try answering the question, whats youre opinion on Hohaia? Are you still in the minority of one on here?

He might not be tge smartest player, but in a side that plays a structured game, like I think we will under brown, then he could play a really important role. It still doesn't solve the stand off problem though, because for all the promise of lomax, Gaskell, wheeler and hohaia, none have really shown the game to make the position their own.

Give over. We've a better player than him sitting in the stands in Gaskell.

Who has a better long kicking game, a short kicking game, can pass better and actually runs with the ball occasionally.

Brown will give us structure and try and turn us into a drilled side which we need urgent!

I think we will be seeing the hudds owing the game tactic like he's done at hudds.

I can't wait for him to get his hands on this team!

It's clearly the Halfbacks were the problem lies. We lack any ideas in tough games, were getting to the oppositions 10 is easy enough.

Lomax seems completely incapable of passing to his right.

Wey hey! Praise the lord! People are starting to see what I've said all year.

Lomax IMO is a very talented player and I think will go on to play for England but he needs a ball playing organising halfback with him. Lomax is a runner bring asked to ball play.

I'd still look at moving Lomax to full back. It allows him to be involved creatively, yet takes the pressure off him to do it consistently at this point in his career. Maguire had the right idea with Tomkins two years ago who was in a similar position, he was similarly a dangerous runner with an inconsistent organisational and kicking game.

If people want to bring Briers in for a season, then would you not be inclined to go for Orr for a season or two? Move Lomax to FB and have Gaskell learn from Briers/Orr.

Let Perry and Hohaia head home and bring in a nasty prop too.

This season we have to put Gaskell back in, whilst not a general, he does offer us options, both, running, kicking and passing. He takes the ball first receiver and has a link game with Lomax.

Long term (and it's been building over time and based on more that just todays game)
Perry out
Lance out
Shenton out
Meli not to be re-signed
desicions need to be made on
foster/makinson
flanaghan/La Franki/LMS /dixon/clough/magennis/ - far too similar nice defense, are all workmen like but we have too many of them

Replacement for TP when he goes because he is one of our few players who can make something happen.

I see what your saying and sounds a good idea but is lomax fast enough for fullback?

He's bulked up a hell of a lot and not sure if he's hot the sort of pace for a fullback.

Lee briers is just ideal tho. He's just what we need. He lives in st Helen's and is a saints lad.

Get him signed!

I think lomax is a problem. He clearly has skill and heart, but doesn't have a clear position to play. His lack of an effective kicking game rules him out of tge halfs, today he showed his positioning and defence are suspect, which would be exposed at full back. Where else can he play? I'd suggest an interchange hooker, but with roby playing 80 mins ever week, even that isn't an option. He's too skilful a player to leave out, but not shown yet anywhere that he is comfortable to play.

HB combination of Briers and Orr with Gaskell thrown in as rotation? Not the best situation but if we dont have any import spots available, a season or two with some old hands may do the trick?

Danny Orr? Have you been drinking?

Briers and lomax in the halves for me. It would take all the responsibility of ball handling and kicking off lomax and let him do what he does best, run at the line.

i'd be inclined to agree

That could work too, after all Tommy Martyn took the pressure off a young Sean Long and he turned out ok!

I think it's ideal. Then both lomax and Gaskell would learn off briers. Briers has one of the best rugby brains I've ever seen.

Let's bring him home

Jonny was always a half growing up which is why he is playing there now. I don't think he's made the step up in terms of distribution, organisation and kicking so he probably would be better suited to Full Back. His running and defence are absolutely fine and he does know the full back position so in a positional sense would be okay after a run of games there. If Lance is still here next year then I think we may see either Lance or Lomax at FB.

GET BRIERS SIGNED!

One year deal and then on the coaching staff.

Briers? No thanks.

What Lomax needs is coaching. He's still new to the role and he needs to be guided in the role. Although he plays with more confidence with Hohaia next to him, I have to confess now that I am coming to the conclusion that Hohaia isn't going to make it in the halves. He has been disappointing. It doesn't help, of course, that we have a feeble bunch of forwards. But even if we had Wigan's forwards - who are physically bigger than ours and who certainly come with more attitude than ours - Hohaia still wouldn't be making the grade as a halfback, regardless of whether he feels that's his best position or not.

I'd just have Gaskell back. He's been out for a while now and with the right support from the coaching staff he should be brought back into the side to partner Lomax, taking on the organising role as he was doing.

So what's hohaia need?

I've seen him working with the U9/10s at Thatto...he'd be a top coach.