Originally Posted by Despondent Dave
Ashworth and Peyroux to drop out perhaps
Think he'll go
Lomax
Makinson
Morgan
Percival
Swift
Fages
Lee
Douglas
Roby
Amor
Greenwood
Peyroux
Wilkin
Walmsley
Walker
Knowles/Thompson
Richardson
Nice bit of competition in the forwards, ashworth missing out
I'd look at dropping Ashworth/Peroux and Lee. According to player profiles knowles also plays hooker could he not give Robes a 15 minute break?
I don't think anyone could make a convincing case for Peyroux over Knowles
Peyroux over Knowles would be an absolute disgrace and would turn a few fans on Cunningham before a ball is even kicked.
I would go:
Lomax
Makinson
Morgan
Percival
Swift
Fages
Richardson
Douglas
Roby
Amor
Knowles
Greenwood
Wilkin
Walmsley
Walker
Thompson
Lee
Ashworth and Peyroux to miss out.
NEVER WRITE OFF THE SAINTS
The way Knowles played at the back end of last season should really see him selected over quite a few people in the forwards.
Is LMS injured or just not picked?
For me it's fairly straightforward I agree. I wouldn't be altogether appalled if Wilkin is at 7 with Knowles 13 and Ashworth 2nd row. I just really really hope they don't play Peyroux; that's what I am most fearful of. Anyone with a bit of footwork, i.e. Moon, Burrow, Maguire, etc will rip him to bits.
NEVER WRITE OFF THE SAINTS
The main question mark I would have is whether Fages & Richardson (who hasnt played SL yet) is a good enough pairing for us to open with. I am all for giving people a chance in their right positions (and if it was a lesser team I would be more inclined to chance it) but Fages hasn't really looked like he is ready to play the role of the steady hand to help Richardson and a bad game opening the season could do more harm than good for his confidence. I can understand both sides of the argument, and agree that playing Wilkin/Lee with Richardson/Fages is far from ideal but might be more suitable for the opening game against Leeds (who will no doubt come out firing after their showing last year) purely due to experience.
I know I'm probably in the minority with this but I'd personally go with:
Lomax
Makinson
Morgan
Percival
Swift
Wilkin
Fages/Richardson
Douglas
Roby
Walker
Greenwood
Knowles
Thompson
Amor
Walmsley
Lee
Ashworth
Fages/Richardson & definitely Peyroux to miss out
Leeds squad is starting to look old in many respects now.( ~ 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11 & 12) Got their youngsters like us but they appear to have a big re-building job over next year or so.
I'd be appalled if Lee plays at 7. He's basically a squad player from a team that was seconds form being in the Championship. At least JW knows the position, the moves and is a better overall player than Lee. In my opinion, I'd go with Richardson and the 'growing pains' that come with it.
Pack basically picks itself. Saints recruited well in that regard. Again I'd be disappointed if Peyroux was selected as he's been overtaken by the younger members of the team, offers little and his defence is way too suspect.
The fact that he's named Richardson suggests it won't be Wilkin who plays 7.
Lomax
Makinson
Morgan
Percival
Swift
Fages
Richardson
Amor
Roby
Douglas
Thompson
Greenwood
Wilkin
Knowles
Walmsley
Walker
Lee
I'd start Thompson in the second row, Wilkin will play as an extra half at loose so we need an extra ball carrier in there this week.
Steve Prescott MBE (1973-2013)
V
It's KC's call at the end of the day. It was desperately unlucky to lose Smith, but that misfortune is a now an opportunity to develop a player as opposed to effectively killing a position. If Richardson is given a sustained opportunity it will answer whether he is likely to be in a Saints shirt next year. Wilkin is also far, far better at 13.
Not at all convinced in Fages alone, so a pairing of him and a kid fills me with little confidence. I'd like to have seen it given a longer go in pre-season and this is why I am fully expecting to see Wilkin/Lee paired with Fages. This will alienate so many though.
St Helens Rugby League Football Club
Agree. Knowles should play. Lee there to spell Roby and as insurance should the Richardson / Fages pairing not work. Keeping Wilkin where he plays best is a must. Even if KC believed DP was a starter pre season, he must have seen how poor he has been in the two pre season games.
But if Peyroux does start I will support him. I won't blame him. Looking forward to Thursday.
Humans are more concerned with having than being.
As you know, I was quite positive towards him as I thought he did OK in the second row when he was there last season. However, a friendly later against Cas and I'm beginning to think I was miles off the mark with him as he was absolutely pants & all the weaknesses that have been stated on here with him where on full display.