Carmont is Samoan not British? And isn't the team "Great Britain and Ireland" like when Carney played?

The 'your' was more you as a club than you personally. As was the post really.



I'm not so sure on that tbh. I'm of the opinion that very few of the young players you've released turned out to be good enough for a club looking to challenge for honours, Wild and Robinson possibly, and Robinson has stagnated and not progressed as I thought he might. You've produced average SL players in the last 10 years for the most part, rather than any of real quality. The quality players you have produced you've kept hold of in Hock and O'Loughlin.

I agree that the coach [iis[/i a problem though, he's been poor in youth development throughout his career. Your current crop of U21s outplayed ours in last years final series, with a number looking better than their Saints counterparts, I wonder how many will get the required game time under Noble for them to make the next step up or at least have a chance of making that step up.

But isn't that par for the course? As John Monie once said if you get two or three players from a champion U21 side that are good enough for the first team you are doing well? Hock, Hansen and Lockers are roughly the same generation of players. Goulding, O'Carroll, Presott and McIllorum are.



It is this season Noble has to prove he is interested in bringing these players on. Most people focus on Sam Tomkins but I think there are other players as well who need at least the odd game even if it just to show they are in the 1st team coaches plans. It is early days yet but has past record has not been good at doing this. Maybe a few bad results would force his hand but I'd rather it be planned rather than desperation if he does bring players into the side.

Dave

I think that Saints have got to this position by a combination of reasons, some of them good planning, some forced by finances, but largely because in the cyclical nature of the game, it is Saint's turn to have some top youngsters, as it was for Wigan when Farrell Radlinski and co came through, and for Leeds when McGuire, Burrow and Mathers came through. The top teams will have times when the dice rolls in their favour, they have to make sure they capitalise on it when it is their turn. And then again, maybe we will get thrumped by Warrington, and the wonder kids will all flop..........

True enough, though I think the jury is still out on the last four you mention, they could go either way.



If there are a few bad results I think there's even less chance of him blooding youngsters, he'll retreat even further into his shell, rather than trying to change it. Injuries may be the only chance they get.

The tone of that blog is so negative towards the club it's bordering on ridiculous in terms of bias.

Isn't he a big Wigan fan too?

I agree. It is interesting though that this sort of thing is being written.

Dave

Sam Tomkins will play more games than Kallum Watkins this year.

Where do you think Watkins comes from?

Manchester area?

I'm pretty sure he played his amateur Rugby at Latchford.

I disagree though, I think Watkins will become a regular this season.

The shame is, why can a 17 year old Watkins be old enough to become a regular when a 20 year old Tomkins appears not to be in Nobles eyes



Proof that if your good enough your old enough

Correct.
So what is the point.

Shouldn't he be at Salford.

If we want equality and salary cap rules, shouldn't it apply to junior talent.
How good could Oldham have been with Harris , Sculthorpe x 2, McDermott O'Carroll, Eastmond etc.

True.

Watkins has played FOUR first team games for Leeds.
When they have a fully fit squad he'll be pushed back.

He's a Salford junior.
Why is he at Leeds.

MONEY.

Because Brian Noble is stubborn and doesnt no genuine young talent even when it wacks him in the mush. Hes just about realised that Joel is improving massively and could posibly push for international honours in a couple of years
He still hasnt realised that Paul Prescott offers more that the awful, awful Andy Coley, or that Shaun Ainscough is better than Phelps

To be fair leeds had about half a dozen players missing and he's only played a couple of other first team games so he probably wouldn't have been in if they had a fully fit squad. If we had 5 or so players out then i'm sure Sam would get a game. I just hope it doesn't take an injury crisis for him to get some games this season because then we would really have cause to question the youth policy.

Watkins is exeptional.

I remember seeing him play for the academy for the first time and realising that this lad is a one off.

Dont worry, Phelpsy will smash him

But can't you see my point.

Leeds will be applauded by Eddie, Stevo, Paul Wilson and the rest for bringing in another youngster. (Watkins)

However the truth is they PAID him more than his local club could. It doesn't affect the salary cap so what the hell.

Eastmond at Saints, O'Carroll at Wigan etc.


What should happen?

Wigan should have control over St. Pats, St Judes, Rose Bridge etc and provide funding for those clubs. They then should have first pick of ANY players from those clubs.

Similarly Saints should have control over Pilks, Thatto Heath, Blackbrook etc.

Totally agree Rogues

A lot worse than they are now.

Fantastic post Brian. I totally agree regarding the club partnering up with the Juniors. Wigan should be putting any spare cash into the local amateur teams, Judes, Pats, Cuthberts, Shevington etc. If we cant spend the money on the salary cap then we should be preparing for 5, 10 and 15 years into the future. Get the current players down there coaching sides. Employ ex wigan players to coach them. Either way, give them some help. There is probably a team of wigan lads floating around superleague that would beat wigan which shouldnt happen

Which could happen with the names mentioned in the article at Saints. That is point I was making.

Dave

And do you know why the likes Leeds wouldn't agree.

They don't want to invest in the junior game. All these great Leeds academy players. Where do they come from.


Well the majority don't come from Leeds.