I'd rather have Johnny Wellies at 6 than Turner.

Its obvious that we are in dire need of a 6. I don't believe Hohaia, Wilkin, Turner or Wheeler are the answer to our problems. For me Hohaia is the best out of a bad bunch for the role. We really do need to recruit a highly quality 6 for next year to go along side Walsh. If we do that we will be near enough there in the hunt for trophies

Just going back to the Leeds game at LP earlier this season. I think Walsh's absence played a big part in Hohaia's performance against Leeds. I know Lomax played more of a half-back role that night but Hohaia was the only recognised 'half' in the side. I often think he's guilty of relying on players around him at times to do bits of his work for him, but that day he didn't have that really. He stepped up, organised well, kicked well and lead us around the field in the way I think we'd all like to see. Just because Walsh's on the team sheet doesn't mean he needs to go back into his shell.

Turner at 6. In my opinion, we rely almost too heavily on Walsh as it is. Pretty much everything goes through him. What would we gain by putting a centre in there who has no kicking game no organisational qualities? Granted we haven't seen him play there on a regular basis, but either way I suspect we'd be relying even more on Walsh than we already do. Imagine Turner and Percival defending down the left edge together as well? Not sure about that really.

Hohaia and Walsh are our first choice halves IMO. Injury permitting, keep them there together and let them develop as a partnership.

What's the rumour about turner?
Someone mentioned it in another thread??

It's pretty obvious with what we have lance needs to be given the spot for the rest of the season.

Turner to Salford was brought up a couple of days ago by Salford fans after koukash posted a message on twitter about a deal being signed and sealed (and none related to the Locke saga)? That rumour?

If Percival and Jones are in the centres, where does turner play?

Is Charnock even in Brown's plans? The fact he will play anyone else at 6 instead of him doesn't bode well.

Does anyone in the know think Charnock is good enough?

And in reply to turner. He doesn't play until someone needs be dropped for lack of form.

He's on the apprentice list.

He's destined to hailed as training the house down and the most promising HB during the off-season
then properly binned off next season.

Difficult question to answer. Even those who rip up the younger teams can struggle to make it at first team, and some you question how they ever got a shot and will go on to be superstars. The only way to find out is by giving them a shot. What difference would it of made on Thursday?

You don't get a rep like charnock has on here without having a modicum of skill, and whilst it's rare I ever get to see an u19s game, his name features heavily in reports, so he can't be bad

I don't think he's good enough at this time to cover such an important position.

It's worrying that he's not been given any game time at all in the first team. If he's going to make it, like all young players he needs to be tested at the highest level now

Didn't he play one game last year? Seem to recall he played but might be wrong.

He played vs Salford in the snow. Don't see what harm he could of done playing vs London on Thursday next to Walsh - it's the only way to be ready.

I think given we are knocked out the cup, there is no need to be putting him in the team. We will be getting the odd rest week so unless there is a run on injuries.

For me the first 10 games is where you jumble your line up. We need to start building some relationships in both attack and defense.

halfback has been messed about more than enough. We've had more combinations than most teams already.

Lets keep it simple and get our team playing well again.

One relationship [in attack that has really impressed me is the one between Walsh and Lomax. In a pre season piece in [url=http://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/10941108.Luke_Walsh_explains_why_he_has_swapped_Sydney_for_St_Helens/the local rag,[/url Walsh identifies Lomax as a player he is looking forward to working with, and it shows. The two seem to have developed a real understanding already. I hope they can both remain fit as I think that relationship could be pivotal to our chances.

Yes that's right he did

It's a pity we didn't have Walsh when Lomax was struggling in the halves. I think he would have done very well as a running 6 alongside Walsh.

I'd agree with this. Would it be worth cultivating this relationship, with the eye of having 6. Lomax and 7. Walsh? Lomax can play that role (and basically did against Leeds) and bring in a fullback?

And I still think he would.

What like a world cup winning fullback???

I don't think so, no. I'm (obviously) no expert but from watching Saints this season so far it would seem at this stage anyway that both Walsh and Lomax are free ranging, popping up all over the place, and that flexibility and fluidity may be lost to Lomax if he moved into a six role as such. I'd still go with Hohaia at six because he can offer another running and kicking option should the opposition aim to close down Walsh, linking in with Lomax as he did so spectacularly against Leeds at LP for example.

We badly need to have our spine retained week on week so that all its parts can get used to playing together. Messing around with Hohaia will do nobody any favours.

Apropos of nothing whatsoever, I liked the way Hohaia and Walsh celebrated Hohaia's try on Thursday night. Maybe those two would also work together very well if just allowed to get on with it by our tinkering coach.

I agree fully lance should be left to work with Walsh for the remainder of the season. Rumour was that this is lances last season. With the rules on concussion now in the NRL is value increased exponentially. So looking to the future, it's either bringing someone in or someone moving position (turner, as was the original point of the thread, or lomax) and it was a suggestion for 2015 and beyond.

With Wilkin (or turner) in the middle of the field playing lock, moving the ball from one side to the other, we can afford for our halves to play a little, and not be tied into a structure necessarily. Lomax wouldn't have to change the game he's playing, just the number on his back, and we can bring in a fullback who can specialise in being on the shoulder of the ball carrier every other tackle, and solid defensively. Lomaxs lack of a kicking game is a draw back, but with the pivots we currently have in the team, were stifling our 6 into occasional 1 off plays whoever it is. We've all called for wheeler, hohaia and whoever else has played there to get more involved than just a few good plays a game, moving lomax back frees up our fullback role for something different.

Sorry, I didn't realise you were looking to next season. I assumed you were talking about this season. But that's probably because I'm having enough difficulty dealing with this season at the moment to think about the next one!


It's a possibility but just now I'd like to see how things develop with the same pivots each week, assuming we ever even get to that stage! At the moment, Lomax and Walsh as they are placed are looking very good and unless something goes wrong with that then I can't see the point in changing it but if as you suggest Hohaia wont be with us next year, even though he is contracted to be, then maybe things will be looked at again at that point. At this stage I'm happy as things are between Lomax and Walsh as they are working very well together but I may feel differently by season's end.

Walsh and lomax have been exceptional together and have a really good understanding but I'd leave lomax where he is.

The free role really benefits lomax, he can pop up where and when he wants and it's near impossible for a team to take him out the game.

It's just a shame we can't find a stand off. The spine of lomax, new 6, Walsh, Roby would be very very good.

I was sceptical at first with lomax at fullback but he was struggling in the halves, he become to predictable with his step and dummy, he also didn't let the ball go enough. He's basically playing as a extra pivot now and he's massively important for us.

This for me although I would be tempted to give Roby a break and use Lance at 9 as he's not too terrible there. Turner has looked beyond terrible every time I've seen him play 6.