: Tue Jun 23, 2009 3:10 pm  

Personally I think Eastmond has more all-round potential to last in the Saints team than Smith.

: Tue Jun 23, 2009 5:16 pm  

I have no issue with Smith coming back and fighting it out with Eastmond, Wheeler, Moore and Lomax for the number 7 shirt. The more quality players we have in the squad the better.

But I think we have not considered one thing. What if Smith <b> does not want to come back </b>

He has got a place in the Celtic Halves nailed down. Why would he want to come back to Saints to fight it out with a number of younger and potentially more talented players. If he comes back he has the odds against him why give up a safe job for that.

If he does come back he has my support but if I was him I would stay in Wales.

: Tue Jun 23, 2009 5:26 pm  

Noel Cleal wrote:

I have no issue with Smith coming back and fighting it out with Eastmond, Wheeler, Moore and Lomax for the number 7 shirt. The more quality players we have in the squad the better.

But I think we have not considered one thing. What if Smith <b> does not want to come back </b>

He has got a place in the Celtic Halves nailed down. Why would he want to come back to Saints to fight it out with a number of younger and potentially more talented players. If he comes back he has the odds against him why give up a safe job for that.

If he does come back he has my support but if I was him I would stay in Wales.

Wheeler = Stand off
Lomax = Fullback
Moore = Hooker

Eastmond is the only scrum half that I'm aware of who has got a chance of starting next season in the position. I wouldn't put it past us to sign an NRL player though.

: Tue Jun 23, 2009 7:02 pm  

Saddened! wrote:

Wheeler = Stand off
Lomax = Fullback
Moore = Hooker

Eastmond is the only scrum half that I'm aware of who has got a chance of starting next season in the position. I wouldn't put it past us to sign an NRL player though.

Johnn Thurston would be a fine addition to our team, we could play Matty Smiff at prop then.

: Tue Jun 23, 2009 7:51 pm  

Offside Monkey wrote:

I hazard a guess we'll start to see a lot more, since Long's departure was confirmed. I reckon the coaches would've prefered to have been in this situation 12 months in the future, but needs must when the devil drives, and all that jazz.

I still think the Kevin Penny comment was uncalled for, though :wink:

Yeah, leave poor Kevin alone.

I still think Scotty could be re-converted back to scrum half and do the job for us.

: Tue Jun 23, 2009 10:12 pm  

Saddened! wrote:

Wheeler = Stand off
Lomax = Fullback
Moore = Hooker

Eastmond is the only scrum half that I'm aware of who has got a chance of starting next season in the position.

But all would be very good at 7. With people like Pryce, Wellens, Roby and Cunningham playing in the positions you mentioned these young players are ideal to fill the gap at 7. Eastmond is likely to start the season at 7 but I would not rule out one of the above filling in when needed.

This was not really my point. My point was why would Smith want to risk being a second choice at Saints (and spend most weeks in the second team) when he is guarenteed to start every week for Celtic.

: Tue Jun 23, 2009 10:33 pm  

Noel Cleal wrote:

But all would be very good at 7. With people like Pryce, Wellens, Roby and Cunningham playing in the positions you mentioned these young players are ideal to fill the gap at 7. Eastmond is likely to start the season at 7 but I would not rule out one of the above filling in when needed.

This was not really my point. My point was why would Smith want to risk being a second choice at Saints (and spend most weeks in the second team) when he is guarenteed to start every week for Celtic.

It's a big decision, i'd take the bigger contract at celtic, but you never know.

: Tue Jun 23, 2009 10:40 pm  

Saint Simon wrote:

It's a big decision, i'd take the bigger contract at celtic, but you never know.

Who says Celtic even want him? He's hardly pulling up trees from the games I've seen him in.

: Tue Jun 23, 2009 10:58 pm  

Matty's been one of our best players. He transforms the team when he's in the starting 13, and has by far the best kicking game here.

: Tue Jun 23, 2009 11:22 pm  

ajhcrusader wrote:

Matty's been one of our best players. He transforms the team when he's in the starting 13, and has by far the best kicking game here.

Deep kicking - absolutely. His range and accuracy are as good any in the league. However, excluding Long, the short stuff isn't so clear cut. TBH, I don't think there's much between Smith and Wilkin.