Yes but don't we need to be competitive?

Are you willing to sacrifice ALL success to be the flag bearer's of the English game?

Signing top internationals makes the British game stronger. It is the signing of fringe Kolpak/EU grandparent Aussies that makes the game weaker.

Our policy (as stated by the chairman) is to bring in the very best overseas players and develop our own players to play along side of them. I agree with this as it is the best thing for the club and the British game.

Anyone who says Mannering should not be signed is just an Aussie/Kiwi basher IMO.

I'm not sure it is fair to label everyone as an Aussie basher because they don't agree with signing Mannering. More that we are in the market for a centre, plus in the near future a replacement for KC and Long, so using a quota spot, plus considerable cap space on a back rower, a position that we are fairly strong in, would be a poor use of resources.

Very sensible post. Mannering is a good player but the cap only goes so far as does the ever decreasing quota (which is good) so we need to pick and choose our imports not only on class,ability and attitiude but also look carefully at area's where we are weaker in the development stakes. IMO we are well stocked in the back row and we could also look at British options outside of the club if needed.

Mannering can play centre.

I do not understand how signing a world class player who can play in multiple positions can be anything short of a good thing. Especially when you hear some of the second raters that people suggest when they are talking about possible signing. So fans see so hung up with replace Willie Talau they seem to forget we are going to loose a number of key players in a number of positions in the next couple of years. Mannering would fill one of two gaps left by Scully and Gilmour.

Regarding our young talent coming through at the moment, we have three young centres in Foster, Dean and Armstrong as well three second rowers as Ashurst, Magennis and Dixon. We can only guess and who will make it and who will not. The Saint will be very different in the 2010 and 2011. All we can expect the club to do is sign the best talent available and (if we is available) Mannering is just that.

We have been spoilt in recent years with imports like Lyon, Farleigh and Britt playing for us that we forget how good players like Mannering are. If it is not a Jamie Lyon or SBW some people just don't want to know (unless it is some second rate back i.e. Cameron Phelps ). I think people need to get a grip of reality and accept that the signing of a 23 year old current NZ international would be a fantastic signing.

As I once heard a Real Madrid fan say "We don't want another donkey like Ronaldo"

Mannering is not world class. He is a good, solid player. I'm beginning to think that some of you most have playercam on Mannering on your TV broadcasts because I'm definitely missing something.

I'd agree with that tbh . He is a good solid player who plays in the backrow and can cover centre.. exactly what we dont need.

So can Gilmour. Or Flannery. So can most back rowers, but does't make them another Gidley, or Lyon, or Talau. We need a centre, not a back rower who can fill in there and who has stated that his preferred position is second row.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,865 ... 14,00.html Doubt this rumour of him signing for us will materialise now.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,865 ... 14,00.html Doubt this rumour of him signing for us will materialise now.

Never say never, Meninga and Lyon are both under contract as well