Stu M wrote:Thinking about it a bit more, Wigan were well stocked with back rowers and had a succession plan but losing as many as they have means you can understand why they have looked at Vaughan. Shane Eccles will have coached him for England Academy and will know him well but over the last few years they've lost Isa, KPP, Nicholson, Bateman, even James McDonnell. I may have missed some more out there
Mason and Kerr are backrowers I believe? Vaughan will add to the competition particularly if Farrell's minutes are more limited in 2026.
Kerr's a loose forward I think, albeit a versatile one who could easily be played at second row to begin with. He's played in the halves during preseason, so all being well he'll be able to get his chance irrespective of our plans with Vaughan.
NSW wrote:To be fair they stopped NRL interest in Delaney. I spoke to Radlinski and he alluded to Knowles signing a huge contract (this was in March 2022), stopped NRL interest in Welsby
And signed Feldt, Murphy and Sailor who look like 3 good buys on paper.
Daryl Clark wouldn’t have been a cheap replacement for Roby
Think saints fans are being a little harsh on the club, they are in a transition period after years of dominance, it’ll happen to us too.
I can't understand the signing of Sailor. In my view it restricts Robertson's progression unless Welsby is on his way soon.
Zig wrote:Davies and Keeley are no Nsembe, they are years off regular first team action. Welsby wasn't a Wigan Warriors fan, he only ever wanted to sign for Saints.
Sam Tomkins was his idol and all his family were big fans.
Phuzzy wrote:Stu, I'd be interested in seeing the "he's not all that comments" on Vaughan. I don't remember anything specifically relating to him but that's not to say there haven't been any. I think the comments have been more general and centred around Saints seeming reliance on the 'golden generation' and the fact that it's crazy to put your eggs in that particular basket. These signings actually go some way to proving that as there's two straight away who won't be having long first team careers at Saints (or however Mike Rush phrased it). Others may yet follow suit at some stage and then there's the usual ones that flatter to deceive etc.
You mention the other side of the negotiations. Was this conducting them by message as rumoured on Redvee or something more?
Phuzzy wrote:Stu, I'd be interested in seeing the "he's not all that comments" on Vaughan. I don't remember anything specifically relating to him but that's not to say there haven't been any. I think the comments have been more general and centred around Saints seeming reliance on the 'golden generation' and the fact that it's crazy to put your eggs in that particular basket. These signings actually go some way to proving that as there's two straight away who won't be having long first team careers at Saints (or however Mike Rush phrased it). Others may yet follow suit at some stage and then there's the usual ones that flatter to deceive etc.
You mention the other side of the negotiations. Was this conducting them by message as rumoured on Redvee or something more?
In all seriousness those 3 are very good players and I believe Stephens has signed a new 4 year deal. Robertson has been training at centre pre-season and again this has been offered up as a reason for Vaughan's disillusionment in that he is not starting.
I think this Salford game in R1 is huge. Lose that and the atmosphere will very quickly become toxic. Depending on what team Salford are able to field will make a huge difference. If the takeover isn't complete then they can't play most of the players is my understanding.
With a full strength team they are more than capable of beating us and Wellens plans of only having one pre-season friendly and resting half of the team will come back big time to bite him.
I think I may have been wrong about Stephens Stu but, trying to fit Robertson in at centre seems a mistake (square peg in a round hole). He is a natural fullback or standoff. Saints should have signed a centre and played Robertson as a pivot.
In all seriousness those 3 are very good players and I believe Stephens has signed a new 4 year deal. Robertson has been training at centre pre-season and again this has been offered up as a reason for Vaughan's disillusionment in that he is not starting.
I think this Salford game in R1 is huge. Lose that and the atmosphere will very quickly become toxic. Depending on what team Salford are able to field will make a huge difference. If the takeover isn't complete then they can't play most of the players is my understanding.
With a full strength team they are more than capable of beating us and Wellens plans of only having one pre-season friendly and resting half of the team will come back big time to bite him.
apollosghost wrote:Seems like a media blackout re. the two Saints lads, wonder if the clubs are negotiating a deal to release them for this season, Saints won't want to spend anymore time/cash on their development and Wigan won't want them out of a pro environment for 12 months
Zig wrote:I think I may have been wrong about Stephens Stu but, trying to fit Robertson in at centre seems a mistake (square peg in a round hole). He is a natural fullback or standoff. Saints should have signed a centre and played Robertson as a pivot.
As I've said before I don't think there is any intention to play him at centre regularly, it would merely be to increase his game time to cover for the inevitable injuries that Hurrell and Percival will have. I think they will look at trying to give him game time across the whole backline
Good to see Stephens signing a 4 year deal. He will have a good season I feel and is in really good shape physically to kick on.
Joined: Jul 15 2008 Posts: 3002 Location: God's little acre
WWste wrote:I don’t think Salford is a walk in the park as made out. They are a decent side and I imagine will be itching to settle things down on the pitch. I can see Saints getting beat in that game as they did in the pre season game with them
I don’t for one second think that Salford are a poor side. I just think that Saints will be highly motivated to deliver a big win and to get their season off to a really strong start.
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