Pryce and wheeler will both be ahead of Gaskell, giving him a chance back in the reserves. He's done a fantastic job this season, but does now need a spell away to sharpen ip again.

I think I agree with this, not because I think Gaskell is a bad player but because I think his confidence is suffering and he is making mistakes as a result of that, rather than due to lack of confidence. He's had three tough matches in which the team has not come out on top and that must be rough for a young halfback. Unfortunately for him, we have neither Wheeler nor Pryce anywhere near fit as yet so it looks like he might have to grit his teeth and go for it again against Hull.

The 1st try (Monas) not entirely Gaskells fault, Saints should have been quicker.

Monas does that though almost every week, i'd go as far to say probably the best player in the league at charging down kicks.

i cant see royce dropping gaskell even when leon is back i can see gaskell playing 7 leon 6 and lomax in the centres but thats just wat i think

Eastmond should be cast into outer darkness.there is no point whatsoever in picking him

think roby got tackled on the fourth tackle which cause the problem maybe if roby was a dummy half then that may not of happened

Careful suggesting that, the one eyed half wits in here will get upset.

That's correct I posted about the very same thing last night, Robys play the ball and the pass to Gaskell were very slow, giving the defender too much time to pressurise the kicker.

Didn't help that Wellens turned like the QE2 too.

Gaskell is a good player and has had a hard ride against two very good teams.
Next up for you guys are Hull FC, Wakey, Catalans & Castleford.
Those are teams which your forwards will get the better of and give Lomax and Gaskell time to play.
If they are kept in for those games I think they will then be in form and poss keep Pryce and Wheeler out of the half back positions.
No way should Lomax or Gaskell be moved from half back for Pryce. He's no more future at Saints than Eastmond!

There was also the element of predictability about it, in that Saints have been using the play of passing to Gaskell who stands deep on the fourth tackle for a punt all season. Its not the first time i have seen this kick charged down.
Saints need to vary their kick options. I think in part this is the coaches trying to keep things basic for the young players. However it does make it easier for the opposition to read what is about to happen.

Also thought Wellens was exposed again for his diminishing pace. A few years ago he would have been able to hold off Monas, not now.
Similar thing happened with the 40/20 that resulted in a dropout. He was just too slow getting across. Also there was a time when Wire kicked through and he was caught in goal when he should have been quick enough to retrieve the ball in the field of play.

He still however shows his experience with other play, eg not getting committed when Hodgson broke clear, however his fading leg speed is becoming more and more noticable. Sad to see but it happens to all the best players sooner or later.

i think we will see the best of gaskell and lomax next couple of week think royce will pull gaskell to one side this week and have a few words we are all forgeting it was only four weeks ago gaskell come back from a broken ankle

I personally saw nothing untoward in Gaskells performance. He did some good stuff and made an error or so. Something all young players make. Its just part of the learning experience.
People have to remember that due to the Eastmond shenanigans, Gaskell has been thrown into first team action essentially 9-12 months earlier than anticipated.
The experience of playing these matches at such a young age will however stand him in good stead later on in his career.
Same with the other kids like Lomax, Foster and Makinson.

It was another good performance from him IMO

Really? i thought him and Wellens were the weak links last night?

I'd add Jammer to that.

Wellens is either playing with an injury or simply off form. He managed to catch every ball but he just doesn't look himself at the moment. I think Gaskell regressed slightly and perhaps the couldron of the last three games has been a bit too much for him at this stage of his career. He will learn a lot from his experiences but he could do with being back in a winning team to boost his confidence. I'm sick to death of Jammer yelling at the ref and at everyone else while dropping the ball, missing tackles and going to ground at the first sign of an opposition forward. He is beginning to annoy me. Oh, and Meli was a defensive liability. We haven't seen that Meli for a bit.

Otherwise, everyone worked hard!

i fought gaskell was no worse than any of our backs last night and looked dangerous every time he got the ball

Fort Gaskell

Was the draw bridge down on that one then last night?

Gaskell struggled, I don't know what game some of you were watching. He cost us the first try along with Wellens and was throwing balls behind the line all night. He knocked on a couple of times and put some proper hospital balls out.

just watched the game back and he was no worse than lomax foster meli wellens ya he cost us a try so did foster and lomax in the second half but as that not been seen by anyone and i didnt see many bad balls off him

I would like to see Gaskell on the bench a bit more just to take the pressure off him. It might be a gamble but perhaps Eastmond should start at 7 the next couple of games until Pryce starts back.
Gaskell will be a better player next season for the experience he has gained this season.

whats eastmond done to be pick before gaskell and like i said earlyer when leon back i think they is a very strong chance it will be gaskell and pryce in the half backs and lomax in the centre with meli back on the wing

To be fair given that Monas had a good 20 metre running head start it wouldn't have mattered if Wello had turned quicker, even the fastest full back wouldn't have caught Monas from a standing start from that distance out.

No, no, no. That's all wrong. Paul Wellens has to be able to beat everyone to the ball, no matter where they are on the pitch, how much of a headstart they have and what the ball is doing at the time.

Might be too optimistic but really would have liked to see the appearance of the "old Eastmond" with him at taking onthe line. The past few games he has come around a bit but is stuck out on the fringes.
If it's not too be, I should imagine in the next couple of weeks Lomax will stay at 7 with Pryce in at his usual 6. Gaskell not to get a start, but maybe add some variety from the bench.
So which would be the better option to finish the season with the chance of success. The "old" Eastmond/Pryce or the new Lomax/Gaskell combination.