[url=http://www.saintsrlfc.com/news/page/544Expected to start with Gaskell and Carlton[/url

Interesting stuff. Arnold shoe horned in early? Or in in place of Gaskell for the experience.

Maybe a sign of the future if Arnold swans off for the money.

They expected Kyle to be out for a month or two initally I seem to remember. So they trained with Gaskell and Pryce. When Kyle returned he got in ahead of Gaskell, which he should.

Lomax is the one who shouldn't have played last week. He is nothing special and is no way near good enough for the halves. possibly at fullback. He probably got in ahead of Gaskell as he is 'solid' and wouldn't let anyone down.

Are you basing this off seeing him play a few times at centre and wing? Not his natural position. Have you seen him have a run at 6? Because he is very good in that position.

It's based on him appearing probably 20 times in the first team squad now and doing absolutely nothing bar be solid. I remember seeing him at fullback at Wakefield (?) and thinking he could be a cracker. But since that day all he's not done a thing to suggest he'll take a starting spot.

That's balls! He had a few games at 6 last year and he was immense! Personally I think the lad could do a job pretty much anywhere in the backline, he's probably a bit small for centre but can still fill in if needed

Well you musn't have a very good memory. The three(?) times he has played at 6 for Saints he has been very very good. Do you also not remember him leaving Demitri Pelo for dead with quick feet, scoring in the corner against Catalans. If he is given a good opportunity to play at 6 or 7 for a number of weeks on the trot he will impress you. I can assure you of that.

Disagree with this. Lomax is a promising six who suffered from Potters blind allegiance to players who were not on form. We would have a complete six in the making if we had realised the potential Lomax has in this position.

I can't say I remember Lomax ever being immense when played at 6. I thought Gaskell did better when played in the halves last year than Lomax ever has, but that may have been down to the opposition.

This is not to say I think he'll never make it at 6, and I don't think he's looked out of his depth anywhere (bar possibly centre), but let's not over egg the pudding at this stage.

He was all class against Bradford at KR last season. In fact, he had a few good games in that spell IMO.

thats the game i was thinking about, he looked a real natural there

I think Lomax would / will make a good fullback and Gaskell the better halfback. The only concern I would have with Gaskell is the defensive side of his game which has been found wanting in a couple of the games I have seen him play, but that may have been due to his playing in three or four different positions.

They were really poor in that game though, IIRC.

I believe he's played there a lot in the U20's, so he's obviously got the ability to play there. I just don't feel I've seen enough creativity from him in his first team games, unlike Wheeler for example. There are numerous possible reasons for this of course, inexperience, coaches orders, the fact he's spent most of his time on the wing, etc.

I hope my thoughts are unfounded, he has a run of games and turns out to be a great, but I just have my doubts at this moment in time.