I think the exact opposite.

I have never been impressed anytime i have seen him to be honest.

I disagree. Wheeler has already commanded the spot at centre. He's been the first choice when fit, after which comes Dean. Wheeler has impressed me more than has Eastmond so far. The others are looking good but they haven't had enough game time IMO for me to give an assessment, with the exception of Dixon and Ashurst and I don't have any complaints about them either.

I think we have been very fortunate in our crop of young players this year. I hope they can kick on next season and really show us what they're made of.

Eastmond and Wheelere are now contenders for the starting 17. Most of the forwards who have come in have managed to do a steady job which is all I'd expect of them at this age. Don't drop off tackles and take the odd ball up is all I expect of the young forwards.

I would really like to see Wheeler at 6 and pushing Pyrce out to the centres, Wheeler reminds a bit like Tommy M, Pyrce would be more dangerous at centre. Would it be worth giving it a go in part of the game.

Wheeler is a couple of years away from being a stand off. I like what we're doing with him i.e. putting him in the centres, in the same way that the Australians have done with their stand offs in the past e.g. Daley, Fittler.

Leon's best centrally, it's where he makes all his breaks. Moving him to centre to accommodate an unproven youngster who has shone at centre would be silly me thinks.

Perhaps next season when Prycey is older and we're planning his retirement they can do it.

Look at the 19 for the Catalans game. No Wheeler, no Lomax, no Dean and no Frodsham. Are they all injured (again) ? Or are they not considered good enough, despite injuries to other players ?

Don't get me wrong. I don't have an agenda against these youngsters, but I do feel that the club is expecting too much of them, too soon.

Yes.

Wheeler, Lomax and Dean have been injured for a few weeks. Frodsham has been injured for ages.

The big problem as I see it for Saints is that this seems a recurring problem with these three players.

How far do you reckon Gaskell is off pushing for a place?

I think lomax, wheeler and eastmond all look like being top class players.

The only problem for me is we ain't bringing any good forwards through.

what position does he play

He was very good last week in the academy v Wigan. I was talking to an ex member of saints coaching staff on Wednesday who reckons he could make a very good centre if he continues to develop physically.
I suppose we will have to see how he goes in the reserves next year.

Played a few games at Centre this season.

Lomax played tonight along with Eastmond and Emmitt.

How did they do?

I thought Lomax had a bit of a nightmare when he was on the field. Eastmond did ok, made a decent break and Emmitt didn't do anything wrong.

Lomax was terrible. He disappeared at some point during the first half I think, never to be seen again! Eastmond reverted back to making some ridiculous passes (but then in that he was just following his peers) but he did at least make a break for the line even if he was caught in the end. Emmitt did ok. Nothing spectacular, but I wouldn't expect that yet. He's only played at first grade a couple of times and the poor lad was subbing for James Graham!

Boy did we miss James Graham tonight. And Paul Wellens.

Lomax needs to mature. He is not yet physically ready imo. Eastmond does not have a position, Potter just chucks him on anywhere. Emmit will never make it as a SL pro.

Jeez you guys are unbelievable!

Lomax could still be playing Junior Academy and you are slagging him off. You have a backrower in Ashurst who has played almost a full season at 19 and the other kids are in similar situations.

The problem you have had this year is that occasionally you have had a few injuries to your older players and have perhaps had to run with a few too many novices.

What would you rather do - bring in a couple of Aussies for a season or two or develop the best Youth system in RL?

In my (humble) opinion Lomax, Ashurst and Wheeler will be your next Wellens, Wilkin and Pryce.... but you could always let them go and sign Stacey Jones for a season!!!!!

Is right

How did the experienced players go ?

On the whole, they were shown up by the young players.

I thought Lomax started off poor but then got better once he had settled.

He made 3 errors but two of them i would attribute to awful passes.
One was an absolute death ball that had him staggering around the pitch while Cats went 80 yards downfield to score.

Once settled however i thought he was pretty solid. Certainly got the pace to trouble defences and his positional play for kicks was good.

Eastmond looked like he wasnt sure what his role was. Not surprising when Long and Pryce in the halves and Lomax at fullback.
Once Lomax went off for the 2nd half with a knock, and Eastmond went fullback he looked a lot more assured of his role, and made one 60 yard break .

I would certainly play Eastmond at fullback next week if Wello is injured.

So would I. Except for a few of his hospital passes (He doesn't seem to have any mid range, does he? Either he does amazing things with the ball or really dud efforts!), I thought he did fine at fullback. We need his strong boot and speed, that's for sure!