Does Salford need to tinker with a position which is being filled by a young man who is very talented and will certainly improve as he get older? I ask this because of the attempts to buy Rangi Chase.

Doesn't Salford have other positions in the team where it is weaker and less competitive than at scrum half?

I know that Theo Fages is signed on until 2015 or thereabouts. But is Dr Koukash going to keep him as first choice scrum half?

Yes

It's a valid question, and I guess we don't know the answer. There [iare[/i positions that need strengthening much more than the half-backs: the forwards. That's where our problems lie, not the halves. Signing Rangi Chase would be a major coup, and it would be great to see him every week because he's definitely an entertainer, but I'm probably alone in not beating myself off at the prospect of getting him, and I won't be beating myself up if we don't. We need forwards. Lots of them.

We need a playmaking halfback just as much as more forwards

I think Theo is the future for us and could play alongside someone like Chase. This season, although tough, has brought him on in leaps and bounds. I think if you take some of the pressure off him by having another talented ball player (Whoever it may be) along side him you free him up to show his talent rather than heap the pressure on his young shoulders to be the only go-to man.

Maybe, but we may already have one in Marc Sneyd and/or Theo. We've never seen them play behind a pack that isn't getting monstered every week.

If we [ido[/i need a play making half-back, though, is Rangi Chase the right type of half-back? He seems a very off the cuff type player rather than a leader, and perhaps we need a player who is more like Michael Dobson than Rangi Chase.

Still hope we sign him though.

I think I understand your concerns BR, but you should remember just how good, tough and creative this VERY Young man can be.

Not only has he proved that he has the skills and courage that S L requires, but he has already demonstrated that he is willing to continue, week in and week out to really give it his all, when some of his team mates appear to have lost the stomach and pride that every professional player should have.

Let us not forget that Theo was signed during our darkest days and that he was given a home, when he was only seventeen by one of Salford Red's best and trusted families. Having lived abroad (alone) from a very early age, I can tell you this can be very difficult. Theo appears to have taken this all in his young stride in the first instance, and then gone on to "thrive" in an environment that must have tested him.

It may be worth consideration, that if this young man had "gone walkabout" and not had the loyalty to stick with us through those very difficult times, it would have been wholly natural. He didn't! I personally think that it would be nice to see just how good Theo can be when some of the burden of "creating" is taken off his young shoulders.

I say: "discard him at your peril", this young one is going to be a good one, barring injury.

Keep the faith mate.

There are some interesting quotes from Alan Hunte in the RLW magazine currently available concerning Theo and Marc Sneyd.
It is with regard to the apparent drought of English half backs.
I don't think the OP is genuine in his various threads - some of which are quite amusing - but it does seem a whole new spine for the team is being constructed and Theo remaining in the squad is vital for the future.

Theo definately is the future for Salford, not only is he the most talented halve I've seen in a long while he is without doubt Salford through and through (though a adoptive he remained loyal to the club when other didn't).

Theo is a shining example of what our club did right in a period when it appears more and more was done wrong, to not only attract someone as talented as himself but to retain and nurture him as we have has to be the blueprint for the recruitment of the next generation of Salford starlets.

I'd go so far as to ask Shirley Bradshaw and Theo for assistance in the facilities/hostel that the Doc intends building at the ground, they after all know what is involved in getting youngsters to live away from home and how to do it well.

[size=50Shirl that's a tenner you owe me

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Nice to see we agree about some things D! I think the world of you mate, but when it comes to Eric's prediction league 2013 mate: It's Kevin Tamati V Greg Dowling..........or in Michigan "speak"......"the gloves are off". D.

If we're talking about you love it's more like Brian Dowling

I said 'yes', he would keep the scrum half spot !
Not sure how you misinterpreted that.
By the way, the idea of Theo being partnered next season by Sneyd is daft,unless we have injuries or suspensions

D, how many times do I have to tell you NOT to display open affection on the RL forums! It got us (you) in trouble once before!

You were lucky not to be charged in regard to the incident with the 44 gallon drum of "rigid", that was bound for Hamburg, and found its way to Eccles. You can be, and ARE, a very bad man.

Regards D, L and Eow Chu. xx

It's alright, he's just 'getting-on'.

Just what my son would say !

Thanks for that Son: just as long as I'm not "getting off".

I was beginning to think I was alone.

Thanks BR.

Mayter told me to watch out for people like you.

Stick too free range haggis and leave me alone you old perve

Just playing devils advocate here and would have no problem with Theo keeping the scrum half spot but if that is Noble's intention, why try and sign Dobson?

Without being Harsh, as I think Theo is a wonderful talent and will turn into a great stand-off, not scrum half. I think at the moment though he is still just potential, we see glimpses of brilliance but we must remember he is still a very young lad learning his trade and doesn’t have the consistency ,as expected yet. With 2 teams getting relegated next year I can see us bringing in 1 half backs and using Theo less next year and developing him slowly. If there was no relegation then who knows. Sneyd I am not totally sold on yet, I am still not sure he is going to be a half back of SL quality but he does have a certain X factor and is a bit more consistent than due to his age and experience.

Overall, nice dilemma to have though! 

Theo has bags of potential and has done well in difficult circumstances this season but is he ready to take the team to were they want in the next couple of seasons...no. He should be given time in the first team next season but we really do need two top class half backs with experience with a similarly experienced pack. Theo will have his time no doubt, but dont rush him.

I hope we sign an experienced scrum half (Dobson would have been ideal but this won't happen until 2015) to help develop Theo's game. There's no doubting Sean Long was ideal in that respect, but since his departure there is nobody to take Theo under their wing. I would still use him a lot next season, just not as much as we've been forced to this year.

He is a fantastic talent but we need make sure we nurture that talent properly.

The piece on the half-backs in RLW follows on from suggestions that there should be specialist half back training.
At Wigan,they now have Harris,Deacon and Long on the coaching staff - all former half-backs.
Alan Hunte is quoted as saying,'It's very hard to put your faith in a young half back when you're a coach.'
He points out neither Sneyd nor Fages has had a good run as yet but believes they may be a driving force in 5 years time.