No need to really keep Houghton or shaul or we are going down the sentimental route again. Lovaduo and balmforth to replace Houghton and we have barren wynne Mitch Scott litten to cover what shaul plays

I would imagine talks are ongoing but it has been fairly quiet now for a few weeks and we can’t afford to wait around at this time of year.

Be interesting to know if any progress is being made and also how the talks with the council, that Adam hinted at, are going.

About time the council started playing ball with us?

I think unless we recruit a hooker we have to keep Houghton for one more year, give Balmforth time to develop.

I understand that side of the argument too just feel if that was the case Houghton would probably still be first choice and with lovaduo would balmforth get any actual game time to develop. I must admit he looked very assured for his first game I think he could easily be in the 17 now

The priority should be renewing contracts for players for the future - not the past...

For mine, I'd release Reynolds,Shaul, Houghton, Johnstone, Bowden , & Mau - if finances are tight...

Agree with all but Ma'u (correct spelling) he's having a great season so far.

I’ve seen no leadership from Gale in the 5 1/2 games he’s played for us so far. The 7 games he’s been suspended add no value to the club.

When he returns he needs to significantly improve his kicking game too. A big couple of months for Gale. Owes the club and fans some big performances. Otherwise, he can move on for me at the end of the season.

No they went for better money

yes Batchelor would be a much better option than Mellor.
I expect several clubs will be looking to sign Batchelor

Mau is super fit so not an age problem for me.There is no better second row in S/L at the moment.
The problem is does he want to stay another year and do the club have the money to keep him as i dont see the huge cull in players we expect.
You could say we dont need Johnstone,Bowden,Houghton Shaul,Gale or Reynolds but apart from Bowden and Reynolds i expect to see the others at the club next season unless Shaul or Johnstone get better long term deals and decide to leave

But Saints could have kept them by offering them longer and better deals, but they had faith in Welsby and Dodds, rather than pay over the odds for players.

Coote left because Rovers offered a 2 year deal whereas Saints offered 1 year.

They knew injuries would start to take its toll?

And better money.

Same happened with Dean Hadley, we offered him more per year (for 2 years) and rovers offered him less per year (for 3 years), but it added up to more overall. It's a risk players have to take when subsequent decent contracts may never happen.

Why he's our 3rd best hooker

Lovodua is miles better than Houghton

Balmforth showed more attacking intent than Houghton has in 15 years

Lovodua and balmforth can both tackle aswell!

Houghton get rid end of

Hadley was and is bang average

Litten we should of kept

Dodds has been one of the best players in the league

Fages was ok but nothing special and hasn't done a great deal at Huddersfield really

Finances permitting I'd definitely give Ma'u another year (maybe even 2) I remember seeing an article when we signed him about his troubles when he was younger and he didn't start playing properly until he was 25/26 so I can't see age being a problem if he's only been playing properly for 6 or 7 years.

I agree. I think we're now seeing the real Manu Ma'u who is tearing it up this season.

I wonder if that's because he is getting better quality passes from the Scrum half , always felt when he played on the outside of sneyd he got some right bad flat passes from him

He is nowhere near the player I watched playing for Parramatta and Tonga but is having a better season this year.

Sneyd been found out, even Salford fans are starting to see it, much better last two games without him.

You have watched Balmforth for 25 minutes in which he carried the ball twice and made 5 tackles, he is an 18 year old kid playimg bottom of the league in a dominant display. I think you ate getting carried away.

Big risk to no with him and Lovodua (who has hardly played at hooker) next season.

Think we need to either keep Houghton or replace him.

But if he stays he needs resting to get the best out if him.

Think he has been pretty decent all the time, but stepped up this year, had a few injuries which haven't helped and as has been said, much better now he us getting better ball.

It's easy to get carried away with youngsters. The step from 18 to 20 is hard for any young lad but for a professional athlete a lot can happen in that time. Balmforth looks the real deal but he isn't there yet.

I think having Houghton but spelling him with Balmforth would be ideal. Lovadua (hopefully), MacNamara and Hookem can cover the position.

It'd have to be a big signing to replace Mint, say Brad Dwyer or Sam Powell. I can't see either of them coming to us which means someone from the NRL. That'll be expensive and a risk and it might mean Denive not getting much time on the pitch.

Pragmatically, Houghton goes round again for me.