I'm not sure why Saints would still be offering him a contract considering that we've been in desperate need of a half back this year and have preferred almost everybody bar Stan Wall to him in the position.

Unless there's some way in which we would get compensation for him a la football if he is offered a contract?

If we offer Gaskell a better contract than he's currently on, but he goes elsewhere, we get 20K compensation.

This applies under a certain age in the early 20's but I'm uncertain on the exact age.

I think Gaskell is a more talented plyer than Smith.
They both have a mighty boot on them.
Smith is a good enough half to distribute from 1st according to a strong play book (wigan's structure is, as we all know, very strong and when at Salford, the Smith, Holdsworth, Patten combinations were really good), but he lacks any real vision or spark.
I'm not sure if Gaskell's distribution and deceison making is (currently) as good as Smith's, but he does have more ability to take the line on.

The fact the club have been so ruthless with him, even though half back is an area we are sorely short in, means that there's obviously something amiss with him (something more than just "his face not fitting" or petty personal differences), so I'll back the clubs decision.

I'm sure he'll make a decent SL halfback (or maybe full back).

[url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_transfer_%28association_football%29I found this[/url, relating to bosman transfers in football, which says 24.

24 I think - would make sense to offer him something then, maybe 50 pence more than he is on now

He might sign it tho

Have to disagree there, smith can lead a team round the pitch, precise kicking and a consummate professional.
For me he's much much better than Gaskell

+1

Smith only really developed that after he left us and got regular rugby at Salford, though. He's 26 now and I would be suprised if Gaskell isn't significantly better by that point.

Smiths a much better defender, mind.

Smith only really developed that after he left us and got regular rugby at Salford, though. He's 26 now and I would be suprised if Gaskell isn't significantly better by that point.

Smiths a much better defender, mind.

Used to be 24. Changed to 22 a year or two back.

Again, I disagree. He got us to the 2007 gf and then was dropped for longy for the final. Still a big mistake by us IMO

His short kicking game was atrocious at the time, though his long kicking game was good. He's a very workmanlike player, good at what he does but will never have that spark of brilliance.

Gaskell for me has a better all round kicking game, though possibly lacks the length of kick that Smith had at that age, has a better running game and is a better passer.

I'd agree on him being dropped in 2007 being a mistake, but I suppose hindsight has a large part to play in that.