The club views him as a prop long term. Given the number of Props we have I guess that could change.

I really dislike squad numbers , positional numbering 1-17 for me everytime

+1

I liked it when, after they first introduced squad numbers (around '95?) they would still revert to 1-13 for the cup competition IIRC.

What are Yates and Speakman like? Everyone talks about the potential Percival has, but I've not really heard much about these two.

Both have played for the England Academy. Yates from what I have seen looks like a more traditional scrum half. Seems talented but could perhaps be a bit small. Speakman was a stand off but has converted to hooker. A very sharp passer of the ball. I think he will get a run at some point to give Roby a spell.

That didn't stop Rob Burrow. We should stop this obsession with size and allow the lads talent to be tested. If he is good enough his size is irrelevant.



Edit: I was referring to the half back positions.

Hello one and all, not been around for a while sadly, but just looked at the squad list, and see a couple of comments about short for cover, what are the key positions that most would like to see cover for? and if they could who would they like to see cover them.

I suspect our buying is done for the year.. if your being hypothetical I wouldnt mind Benji Marshall to add some competition in the halves, James Graham and Sonny Bill to make sure there's no slacking in the pack, Billy Slater to push Wello and make sure he's focussed every week at fullback and just to be sure we could bring in Cam Smith to warm the bench





Welcome back btw

Welcome back



I think we have lots of cover. I guess the really issue is whether we have the quality. The pack seams fine to me, but the backs are shall we say yet to be proven.



We have lots of options for FB so no worry there, but



Centre & halfbacks, are the key areas, I'd suggest that if Brown does not get what he needs from the backs, then this will be his shopping list for 2014 season.



We can say give them time, they may come good, but a coach is looking to the next win not the next trophy 3 years down the line. I'm not one for bashing every player, but if everyone gets a fair crack this year at playing, then it will be down to those players to prove they are SL quality now, I think we have had 2 years of they are young well that will only wash for so long, even for the best loved St. Helens lads.

We don't just lack cover in the centres and halves, we lack any quality there. If jones has second season syndrome we've got problems. I don't class wheeler as he never plays.



I don't think we've got great cover for any postions, the squad is pretty small. The first 17 is pretty good and maybe good enough to win something but after that we are pretty weak.

I don't think you will find many clubs with much depth beyond their first 17. It will be the quality of the juniors which will make the difference when injuries hit.