Having been today I thought that Gaskels punt game was very good. Time and time again he put in huge dowtown kicks that had Hudds returning the ball from near their try line. Problem was we would then give away a silly penalty. Soliola was twice guilty of this.

Late in the game the lack of experience in the halves did tell a bit, as i noticed that Lomax game fell apart abit. Twice he put in poor kicks and once he threw a forward pass. Credit to this though could be down to Hudds, who mercilessly targeted him in defence all day. I dare say with 10 mins to go he was out on his feet.

Its all part of the learning experience and in the long run it will make them better players, as they will learn to overcome adversity.

I just hope the fans dont start to turn on them and blame them for the teams failings.

With the new TV deal in Australia it's highly unlikely top tier players (and those in the tier immediately below) will choose to join SL clubs. The remainder will be past-prime veterans (who have plenty of experience but may also be seeking an easy payday) and average/slightly above average club men.

Out of curiosity, are you basing your opinion that Simmons is the worst coach we have had in years simply on his recruitment and how we are playing, or do you know something we don't?

Pretty much agree with the bit about trying Gaskell and Wheeler together as they are the two most natural half backs. Both also have kicking games.
Whereas at present only Gaskell can kick.

When fully fit i would play Hohoia at hooker, as i think he looked very crafty in that position today. I would move Roby to loose forward where his dynamism would cause problems.

Fullback would be Lomax.

Time and time again in attack Saints had shifted the ball well and had the Hudds backline stretched, but then had to slow down to wait for Wello to link in the line on the arc. This then killed the move and allowed Shudds to get back in position.
It was painful to watch because in other respects Wello had a decent game. He has never been the quickest of fullbacks but he was quick enough to cause a team problems, now though he is positively pedestrian, and its glaring out at you.

Leadership is a difficult thing to replace... Hope Roby is ok...

Both

Time for Wilkin to stand up and be counted, he's got the ability to be captain, time to show it

Haven't people been saying that about Wilkin for what seems like 6 years now?

I don't think it's that sort of leadership that was lacking today. It was more a case of not having a cool headed ball player in the side. FWIW I thought Wilkin, along with the rest of the pack, was good today.

Talking on phone before with someone from saints. He said he'd like to see lomax to fullback, Gaskell at stand off with lance at 7.

He said that roby on crutches and strapped from calf to thigh.

He went on to say that laffranchci was outstanding today.

That would be me saying that



I think wilkin was very good last year but now he's got his 4 year deal he's back to doing nothing but runs good lines

did you go to the game hohaia along with sia and laffranchci imo were saints best players today hoaia and laffranchci looking better the more game time they are getting with the team

If we're going to rotate might as well go all out and try everything. When Roby is fit:

1. Lomax
6. Wheeler
7. Gaskell
9. Hohaia
13. Roby

what??? he was appalling.He ran the ball at their line once in the game.His kicking was dreadfull (including the one straight into the their hands that led to the third try) and what he was doing at the end on last tackle only he knows.If the likes of him are the future,then we are going have a barren time.

Luckily we have only got Hull up next so we should turn these bad results around

His long kicking game was excellent and he put some decent moves on that died as the ball got moved further out.

Spot On.

However I would like to see Hiho's "craftiness" tried out at 7 but with Roby's injury that seems unlikely.

Having watched the early games on Sky and all Huddersfield's home games Saints missed a trick could have picked up Luke George and Peter Fox for next to nothing with Makinson at 1. What a back three that would be. Instead we have Wellens and Sophie's choice Foster/Gardner on one wing with makinson on the other.

Some are saying that Jon Lomax is not a 6 or 7. What position do you see as being his best? From the little I have seen of him I would have him at Warrington.

Some Saints fans say that every time we lose. Just like some say sack the coach every time we lose! Lomax is a halfback; end of story really.

I hate to say it, but he really didn't look like one today.

I agree, it seems people are forgetting how well Lomax and Gaskell worked together last week. At least in the first 60 minutes anyway. I would try him at Full Back though if Simmons wants to continue with his rotation. Look how well it worked for Tomkins.

Sorry but I don't think he is a halfback, I'm not saying he won't do a job there but hes not creative ebough for a scrum half and has no kicking game.

I think he's a very good player with potential to be great player but I just don't see it at halfback.

People say hooker but I'd like to see him as a fullback.

Totally agree with this pivotal combination, Lomax would be a nightmare to the opposition coming into the attacking line from full back. Wheeler is wasted at centre and should be the major pivot. We,ve never replaced Scully, Roby has the engine to work at 13.

Don't worry, they will be rested next week

So? He looked like one last week!

Longy had poor games.
So did all our other halfbacks.

Sometimes, players just have off days. That doesn't mean they aren't good at what they do!