Also, does this signing now mean the new coach is definitely in position? As I thought we weren't announcing any new singings until that was the case?

I don't reckon the new coach has his feet under the table yet. More likley this is a player we've been tracking for a while and the opportunity has now risen to get him. It's only on a loan until the end of the season, no fee being paid, not tying him up on a long deal, etc.

The young stand-off we've now aquired even kicks goals. Doesn't take a (Rugby) Genius to see this is a great deal for Salford...

No,not really.
Any coach would welcome Howarths exit.
We need to keep squad numbers constant so it's a no brainer really. There is no downside.
Having said all that,even if there are 2 coaches still in contention,it would have been good practice to bounce it off them both.

I agree with both of you, it's a great deal and one that anyone would jump at, but after the comments earler today about Noble signing and the comments made from Koukash about not signing anyone until the new man is in charge in got me thinking that maybe whoever is taking the hot seat is now in place.

According to the new updated player profiles page on the website we now have two number 23's. Owen & McGoldrick, I'm sure Owen should be 24.



Yes based on this it makes you wonder if Alan Hunte is being given the job on a permanent basis.

No,he's staying as number 2 and McRae is returning !

Is that a strategical move to entice Ratchford back to Salford?

Gaskell showed a lot of great work and further potential during the 2011 season when he actually got to play on a regular basis. Since the sacking of Simmons he hasn't played much at all, just covering for injuries, and this loan deal was always likely given that loan deals between our clubs seem to happen quite a bit! (Although we don't often get a player in return)

I hope he goes well for you. I feel he hasn't been treated very fairly at Saints over the last 18 months and so I hope under the guidance of Longy he will really be able to kick on now.

Maybe we're waiting for the rest of the shirts to arrive so Owen and McGoldrick have to share. That would also explain the Aussies mysterious disappearance

I am more a natural #9 than him.
Plays in slow motion at the ptb and his overall play is atrocious.
Christmas has come early for us.

Been in the worlds most boring meeting this afternoon and thought when I read this that it was me day dreaming.

BUT

I'm home and it's true!!!! Are Saints tripping? Sure Howarth is a good honest grafter but if he looked ordinary surrounded by the players we had/have then what on earth is going to happen to him at Saints?

Gaskell is the type of player we need to be recruiting, young British and very talented indeed. Can see this being a brilliant signing for this season and maybe beyond and for me this has the marks of Long and Hunte identifying talent.

All round amazing bit of business by the club.

[url=http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12207/8602783/St-Helens-sign-forward-Stuart-Howarth-on-loan-from-Salford-City-Reds-as-Lee-Gaskell-moves-in-opposite-directionsky-St Helens sign Salford star[/url



Who was this star Saints have signed , who writes this ....
Gaskell seemlingly has become a cast-off as he's heading to Salford , Howarth becomes a ' Star ' because he's gone in the opposite direction ??
anybody got the number for St Helens trading standards .

How is Howarth? Is he really as bad as most make out?

Don't go getting too excited over Gaskell he's average at best. Pass selection is poor, defence can be none existant, error machine and a poor kicking game. He does have some good points though he kicks goals well and has a bit of pace about him. Don't expect him to launch you into play off positions.. He wont.

If that's your assessment of Gaskell, I can't wait for your opinion of Howarth.

If you're not getting into Salford's side and we are bottom of the league then there has to be a good reason.
He's simply not good enough.
He might be a good lad who tries but that's not sufficient.
Hope he goes well for you but,if this had been announced next Monday we would have thought it was an April Fools wind up.

Howarth is so slow and seems unable to bend to pick up the ball, off loading him is good business without another player. Getting Gaskell in exchange is the icing on the cake.

Imagine what the Saints fans will make of his speed after Roby!!!

Answer

I feel sour grapes from TheVee, Because I thought Gaskill to be a great prospect and he has gone backwards due to lack of game time. Longy will get him firing and to have 2 goalkickers is unbelievable. I see Salford Reds Arising.

Far from sour grapes. Check my posts on our board on my views of Gaskell they have always been the same I have never rated him but by all means believe what you want. I agree Salford probably are on the rise with Dr Flashcash but if you think Gaskell is the start of that rise then you are in for a major disappointment.

Re TheVee: At this time of the season no matter what money we have we are not going to sign big major players,so to have a prospect like Gaskell with a point to prove is not rocket science. On loan so if it doesn't work out, no harm done from our point of view.

Perfect description.

If Gaskell works there is the chance at the end of the year to try and sign him, we at this rate don't have someone on the roster who isn't going to make the team out of the way. So we lose a player with no chance of being part of future plans and gain the chance to run the rule over a player who might be a valuable piece of the machinery.

I feel we are ruffling a few feathers. Ha Ha

Quote ="TheVee"How is Howarth? Is he really as bad as most make out? '" Just ignore them, here's Stuart's highlights video for you to have a look at . . www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tPnX7OPo0Q

Quote ="TheVee"How is Howarth? Is he really as bad as most make out? '" Just ignore them, here's Stuart's highlights video for you to have a look at . . www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tPnX7OPo0Q

All the hype surrounding Gaskell is unbelievable. Ive watched the kid since he was 12 playing for Blackbrook. He was lucky to gain a contract after Scholarship at Saints but then had a growth spurt and started to look a decent player playing at reserve level. I never in a million years thought he would play first team at St Helens. He did and did a decent job in 2011, both him and Lomax shocked most opposition. However since then, once teams knew what he was about his been dire. Head down, will not take the line on, does not organise and the biggest disappointing thing is that he cannot spot a decent pass.

His been given a decent chance at Saints under Rush and he started the season under Brown but he blown them chances because of the above failures. Some of Saints fans love for Gaskell is that he is a local lad who had a decent season a few years ago and was still young enough to turn into something better. The reality is that was as good as he is ever going to be.

This is a nothing swap as it wont effect any of our seasons.