It's hard to say what we should and shouldn't do without knowing the cap situation I suppose. On the face of it you'd think the Isa money would be available but then other contracts have been renewed during the season, so maybe they took a longer term view and used that money. We could do with another option in that second row and even with young Vaughan coming in next year, I think we need to try and bring one in to add competition and provide rest opportunities. 


One thing I will say is we'll all have to be patient with signings over this next few seasons. We have a squad that is tied down in the main and there clearly won't be much room to move. We're in poor form at the minute but it's a fantastic squad, with just the second row position needing a bit of tinkering IMO. We'll see Hill and Byrne leave as well as a couple of other fringe/young players and Vaughan and Sambou will come in. I would be bringing Eseh back to compete for a prop spot and if we can get that one second rower in, on top of those, we'll be looking in good shape. 

Fair points well made and nice to see you posting again.


Stephens and Whitby would be in my first choice 17 and Dagnall has certainly exceeded expectations. I’m not sure what’s going to happen in a couple of weeks time when Murphy is fit. 


I really rate Murphy and I think he’s done well. He has a lot of attributes, unfortunately as expected I guess, he’s picked up injuries which was always the risk. 


It’s Dagnalls shirt to lose and I think it would be harsh to drop him for Murphy because he’s done nothing wrong and performed really well 

I watched the STS- Rhinos game on Saturday, it was the first time I had seen Dagnall, I’m surprised he has not been in the team more. Looks physically ready for SL

I watched the STS- Rhinos game on Saturday, it was the first time I had seen Dagnall, I’m surprised he has not been in the team more. Looks physically ready for SL

I actually wrote a long reply to one of your previous posts only to see it completely disappear when I pressed send! This site has been hit or miss like that for a while which is why I haven't been posting much. Hopefully it's settling down a little as more people seem to be posting more regularly recently. Fingers crossed..

I agree that Stephens and Dagnall look ready but I'm less convinced about Whitby yet. Watching him last night he looked overawed and pressured far too easily and his seeming lack of pace means he can't afford to be pressured in that way. Harry Smith isn't blessed with pace but seems to have all the time in the world on the ball. Whitby is very young so could quite easily get there too but I don't think he is yet (in order to be your regular starter) or that it's a foregone conclusion that he will do. I think your desire to see him as a regular starter is more to do with Saint's poor options in the halves than anything to do with standout talent on Whitby's part. If he was behind Smith, for example, I doubt there'd be much clamour for him to be playing regularly. 


On Robertson, btw, I said above that he is the one that looks to be there on merit. I'd like to temper that slightly and say "but not at centre". He's all class but was really exposed last night against Niu. He's been drafted into the England squad but can you imagine him there against the Aussies? It would be carnage! I think he's a massive talent but would like to see him in his more natural positions of fullback or stand off.

Even as a Wigan fan, I wanted more out of St Helens last night. They're known for being a flamboyant, exciting attacking side but last night was painfully formulaic and repetitive. The 'Lee Briers' effect has been a myth thus far.


I think Super League in general is in dire need of more innovation and variety within attacking structures.