In the Daily Express today it links St helens with Mannering from NZ Warriors for next season?
Apparently he's out of contract and the Roosters are also intrested?

Thoughts

*Awaits obligatory "Don't Panic"/"You Stupid Boy" despite them being spelt quite differently.*

[urlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Mannering[/url
Spending money for spending sake.
[size=25Looks OK though[/size

A very good player, but would take up a quota spot. Do Saints have one available?

And he won't come cheap.

Straight swap for Cayless at the end of 2009.

He is a good second rower, but do we need any more second rowers? We need a centre, unless he is being signed to play centre, which sin't his fave position....

Great back rower, I thought so even in the series they lost 3-0.

Pretty average centre by all accounts.

Without clicking on his link, I seem to remember he's a pretty good age. How much he'd add to the squad, I'm not sure, unless we've some backrowers on the way out.

Ain't Gilmour in his last season now

Don't Panic Yogurt Boy....

Simon who?

If its for 2010, then may be a good move.

Is flannery out of contract by then? I wouldn't like to use up 2 quota spots on players who'd fill such similar roles.

Good signing, has Gilmour qualities of working hard etc but can tackle without getting concussed every time.
Also doubles up as a centre, why not?
Putting any chance of Lyon returning very firmly out of the question. HOPEFULLY!

Mannering would be an awesome signing

By 2010 I expect Clough to be as good, if not better, so there's no need for Mannering.

That's a very big call.

Mannering is a good player.

Dont rate him as a centre though.

Article from NZ here: www.stuff.co.nz/4822496a10713.html

Article from NZ here: www.stuff.co.nz/4822496a10713.html

It is. But not beyond the realms of possibility.

I too have big expectations of Paul Clough. I'd even go so far as to label him the next <insert great player of Monkey's choice>, but that would obviously jinx him.

"English moneybags, St Helens"

And Fien to Hudds?
Good signing, but would he block the progress of the youngsters, or help develop the likes of Robinson and Moore?

He would be a good signing and could fill in as a back rower if needs be. Assuming he will play centre.

What's the difference between Mannering and Flannery? I don't see why we would need Mannering, particularly if quota levels are dropping. We need to keep quota spots available for players that are worth giving a quota spot to and that would mean players that we can't produce ourselves. One thing the UK has never had difficulty in producing is good back row forwards, hence my lukewarm attitude to Mannering.

The latter is unbelievably ordinary

Size, skill and youth. I would imagine that if we signed him Flannery would not stay long. Not that Flannery is a bad player, just Mannering is a great player.

It won't come off Mannering is too good for Super League.