Is this a joke? I can never tell with you

WTF

Another name mentioned which I had the same response to was Tony Clubb

He would be an excellent signing. A proper centre, giving us two for the first time in years. Very solid defensively and a big barge over presence in the centres in attack.

Would he be a better option at centre than Soliola or Wheeler (ignoring Wheeler's injuries, which I admit is difficult to do)?

I don't think he would be.

Personally, I think he's crap. I'd rather have Wheeler in there, or even Meli.

I personally think he would. He's not a Saints-type player, very reminiscent of a vintage Bradford player, all brawn and no class. But he's a natural centre who can defend in that position. I don't think personally Soliola, who is a massive defensive liability, would be able to cope at centre. Wheeler as you mention is always injured and isn't naturally a centre and would have to develop into one over time. Meli is a quality centre IMO, but always has his lapses.

I'm not suggesting Clubb would be the best signing we've ever made, but he'd improve the depth of the squad and overall strength of the starting 13 IMO.

Hasn't Clubb topped the Super League missed tackle charts for the last few years running (a vague memory from the VT)?

Just checked ... I have done him a disservice. He was only top last season, with 92 missed tackles. Not exactly promising, though, even in a poor side.

I stand corrected. Twice in a day. Unbelievable scenes.

Maybe we're after him to keep LMS company as he can't understand any of the locals.

You'd have to buy him out of his current contract at Quins which runs until the end of 2014.

Wigan were linked with Clubb earlier this season. Having kept a close eye on him since then he's very, very weak in defense. When we played them a couple of weeks ago he was just a turnstile. Very slow to react and adjust in defense. Even offensively he was pretty anonymous. That's been the case when ever I've seen him this year.

Thankfully the rumors of him joining Wigan have died down.

We're on the look out for a centre next year, and to be honest there's very few British players who'd make the grade IMO, and the one's that do look promising aren't out of contract.

I've got a sneaky feeling that it's only a matter of time before Briscoe leaves Hull FC. If FC don't start to challenge for honors soon, rival clubs are going to start sniffing. He has to be worth £200,000 of anyone's money.

Briscoe would be an excellent signing for any team challenging.

I think for a few years, this is going to be the case, with not a huge amount of quality out there.

For years and years we have been paying over the hill aussies to cover slots in every team. Yes even at Saints on occasion. So there is not a sudden splurge of people ready to step up and cover those positions.
Every team is going to have to look within and put time and effort into development as the quota players retire and the new federation rules start to bite.

There has been a noticable upsurge in youth across all clubs, but I think alot will be hit and miss, so trying to poach of other clubs will be increasingly difficult. Until all clubs are looking to get 8 - 10 first teamers from all sections of the team. Naturally as GB have been very poor at developing centres. Then when clubs start to look for replacements all at the same time for the centre position, all will find a lack of quality.

Saints have always had very good centre's but we've tended to buy in most of them during SL and our main source ie overseas has dried up.

I think that maybe why we keep the likes of Meli as he is a quota spot that allows us to get another federation player on top.
We know TP has 2 years, Lance has 4, Perry has 2 more, Lafanachi 2 years, I think Soliola only has 1 left.

So the club has 1 more year to develop their own centre before having to chose between offering soliola 1 more year, or going shopping in Oz for a centre.

I can't see any centre's much better than Meli becoming available from other clubs. If they are any good, they are going to get a good offer from their current club.

Does anyone see Makinson as a long term option in the threequarters? He certainly has pace.

From what I've seen of Makinson he certainly does have potential. I would suggest that he should be challenging for a starting place in the next 2 years or so. Especially if Gardner leaves this year with Meli following the year after.

Anyone with pace has a chance, but he (Makinson) needs to develop his game particularly his awareness and defence.

He's a good back up option and he's already played in 3 backline positions.

It's way to early to predict. I bet hes only played 4 games.

Mackinson looks like a centre to me, he's got the right size and shape and he's billy whiz as well.

Hows the lad we got from Onion doing?

Retention and signings at the moment are pointing towards us having a stronger depth in squad for next season which is something we have been lacking in for a couple of years now.

Yep

Options at FB

Lomax, Leon, Lance, Wellens, Ashe, Wheeler

Options for wing

Lomax, Foster, Makinson, Meli, Ashe, (I'm sure there is a guy from down south too Brotherton or something)

Options for Centre

Shenton, Meli, Flannery, Soliola, Wheeler

Options for half back

Lance, Leon, Lomax, Gaskell, Wheeler, Wilkin

Options at hooker

Roby (that's it) lol not really, Moore, Flanaghan

Options at Prop

TP, Clough, LMS, Perry, Megennis, Laffranchi, Forester

Options in 2nd row

Wilkin, Flannery, Soliola, Moore, Megennis, Laffranchi, Flanaghan

Options at Loose

Wilkin, Flannery, Laffranchi, Moore, Wheeler, Megennis, Flanaghan, Wellens, (even Leon or Lomax at a push)

I think this looks a very versitile squad, which should mean cover will be available next year where it has been lacking this year.

Just been told that a current first team player will also be leaving at the end of the season

Here's the quota situation and the signings for this year and last.

Would probably go along with that, would like to see Makinson and Jones as future centres with the right coach in Brown to develop them.

Updated with Manu, Turner and Shents.