JLM23 wrote:Your good mate, as I know from our discussions in Australia! But I think there's one or two areas you've cheated in a bit here.
1.) When you signed Leulai you weren't to know he'd be a World Cup winner, If memory serves he wasn't even a New Zealand regular.
I was responding to someone who was saying that signing Leaulia (Who was already a NZ International) was Halting the development of Sam Tomkins. When we signed him Tomkins was 16! At the end of his 3 year contract Tomkins will have just turned 20, thats hardly halting his development is it? Plus it was under another administration!2.) Calling Phil Bailey an Aussie Tourist after 2 Caps is a bit generous!
But he is/was - ANd plenty people forget our right side centre shipped in around 40 tries the season before Bailey arrived, They didnt do after he came! I would have persisted with Bailey at starting centre last year bringing Goulding on 25 mins into the game and utilising Bailey/J Tomkins/O'Loughlin/Hock as the back 3.
I agree if Bailey was offered a similar contract after his current deal expires then it would be worrying but yourselves have gone out and bought an Overseas player who will be 30 this year? on a 3year contract!
My point is at times Needs Must!Yes we have retained Gidley for another year, but As im sure you'll agree he was excellent last year, and without him, Gardner was exposed for what he is, in the World Cup. I would much sooner Keep him than play Tyrer.
So Would I if I wee a Saints Fan as Tyrers below SL Average at best IMO, But again the point I am trying to make is that whilst we are criticised for stopping the development of Young British Talent Saints havent done a great deal different, when the 30+ somethings pack in what will happen then?I have checked your 1st 17 and you have 8 Overseas players, just because Pat Richards played for Ireland doesn't make him Home based
We have 6.
I counted Pat, I didnt count Hansen as He's been here since he was born I think??? Yes we may have 3 Over 30's players, however as we discussed One of them is still the best British half back that we can offer, whilst Keiron IMO is still the best hooker around. Yes they are getting on, but at the moment we are discussing this season, and I think both these guys will still do well.
Totally agree with you on the Long thing (As you know from our drunken discussion on the Gold Coast) !
As for KFC yes I agree he will leave a massive Hole (In more ways than one ) when he leaves and finding a "Starting" 9 is going to be hard to do. We may have different views on Roby's progression on this matter.As for Meli, Please dont mention him, Im hoping the Visa people may forget about him
I would also ask that as Saints have been undoubtably the most successful team of the last 4/5 seasons is it not worrying that your Youth development doesnt seem that much better than ours considering Saints have had far more opportunities to utilise tham as you have been in a position of strength? Whilst we have had to stave off the Relegation and practically Fight for every point we have Won in the last 3 years?
