Does anyone think Luke Adamson could make the transition to hooker? Just a thought!

I agree, without Cashmere we could end up struggling again next year, and yes it would be better if they made the step up next season ,from potential to quality performances. Jewitt and Sidlow, in particular, have been with us for a while now and show glimpses of what they are capable of achieving. They really need to start putting it together for more than just one match. Jewitt would be nailed on for the 17, if he just ran the ball in that bit harder and made some extra yards.

Hopefully, Feka can pass on some knowledge and teach these guys to run like a wrecking ball.

My thoughts exactly, for me we still need one more experienced prop, a bit of a workhorse like Stapleton or Rutgerson. Let Jewitt, Boyle & Sidlow fight it out for the other spaces, it's a great position to be in.

You have hit the nail on the head. Jewitt is a tough opponent and has cut down on the silly pens lately. If he could just make a bit more yardage on his drives he has the potential to be a top quality prop. I don't think it's a neccessarly a strength problem, it may be just his running technique and footwork that needs to worked on.

redshed - It's a funny one with Jewitt, you feel he should make more metres than he does - he's strong and fairly big and seems to have the desire - but somehow he doesn't. Maybe it is a technique thing as you suggest

LincolnDevilsFan - I agree about Sidlow and Jewitt needing to deliver this year. They've had plenty of chances now and I'm not sure how many more they'll get

Anyway, sorry, I seem to have turned a thread about signing Ade Gardner into a debate about Props, sorry about that

He was dropped to facilitate Kyle Eastmond. We needed Jamie Foster on one wing because not only is he fab, he's also our first choice goal kicker now and he was the only fit goal kicker. So that was one wing spot taken, which once upon a time was taken by Gardner. Since we also needed other players on the park and Gardner can only play wing, Meli was shunted back to the wing and Flannery played as his centre. However, that was - as ever - a stupid decision. Gardner would have been better on the wing and Meli dropped. Alas.

All we need now is a good hooker.

We already have one

We're getting 9, possibly 10 players, the majority used to playing at a higher level and bringing their previous clubs coaching experience to the mix + we assumably have another assistant coach to appoint. If our pack should be twice as effective after all this investment and a pre-season to boot. ( we normally only start recruiting nov-dec, now we have almost a full squad ready for pre-season ) We have Nero-Adamson-Wild-Anderson-Sidlow, possibly Bailey -Parker all vying for 2nd row - Loose forward positions, and hopefully a packed Shed, fully vocal spurring them on, I'm fairly chilled, if players don't perform next season their going to be out .

Has it been confirmed nothing on FB?

Nope.

Still just speculation
betfred [url=http://www.bettingpress.com/category/Rugby/St-Helens-winger-Ade-Gardner-to-join-Salford-City-Reds-201009240033/Saints flyer linked with move to Willows[/url
moneys on it being true

I can't understand how we can keep the majority of players happy. If you look at our starting centres&Wingers.
Wing- Broughton/Gardner
Centres- Nero/Henry
What about Gibson? How will he play? Unless he starts playing more of a hooker role. Generally we never have a winger or centre on the bench just forwards and a hooker.

One word answer 'Injuries'. Is it not a nice position to be in?

True

Sorry never thought about injuries to be honest.

There will also be a lot more competition for places next year, no doubt the players will be 'Training the house down' over the winter to make the 17. I have a gut feeling there may be a few surprises and our starting line up won't be what some have predicted.

Hopefully, then we will get the best out of each and every one of our players. I think McRae will have trouble naming a squad; cause the odd headache or 2

.

Still we have a variety of quality players so i can't wait for 2011! Also on Sinfield rumours can anybody see this happening honestly? How longs left on his current deal?

If all our players really want it enough next year we could be in for a final season at the Willows to remember.

We cant rule out sugar puffs though because of the honey monster simalarities

make or break year for shaun macrae

I agree; Nero, Wild and Anderson are all better than what we've had over the previous few years, but it seems we've over recruited on the second row. When we could have done with an extra prop. Maybe, just maybe, the club see Adam Neal with more than just potential. Who knows, next year could be the rise of our young props!!!

Recruitment policy aside.

The thought of Patten at fullback and Feka in the famous red jersey will make a massive difference to the team next season, and hopefully the extra competition for places will hopefully make some of our existing players work that bit harder.

I don't know if chilled is the right word, possibly, intrigued would be a better one. If things go well in the off season and we find a balanced team next season, we could go really well. I'm just not sure McRae is capable of finding that balanced team.

Personally feel that Bailey and Gardner are poor signings especially with the moolah they will be on - I would have gone for Finn or Mini Gleason (if fit) at Halifax and another CC player with potential. Otherwise happy with the recruitment.