We say 1 year, he says 2 years, lets call the whole thing off.

quite right!

we are in danger of losing our "dad's army" tag! Very worrying that

I guess it depends how you veiw Gilly:



A 32 year old utility player? With a new centre on the way, as well as Wheeler, Lomax, Dixon and Ashurst coming through to cover his position options - don't worry.



or



An England International 2nd row? As good a backrow as anyone on our squad on his day - maybe we should be holding on.



End of the day - he'll want the best final contract of his career and we've got alot more cover in his favoured position than we have elsewhere (prop). I think that will be the deciding factor.

I agree. He well worth a 2 year deal.



IMO he the best 2nd row at saints and should still be in the England setup.



He is 10 times better than flannery.

Gilmour is very underated at Saints - you are hard pushed to find games where he has played badly. He always is dangerous and gets through the hard work as well. The problem is that we have waiting in the wings:



Lomax,

Eastmond,

Wheeler,

Frodsham,

Dixon



All of these look like they will make the big time and more. If any one of these youngsters was let go, I am sure there would be a thread about it. Given that all will probably sign up with the club on vastly better terms then what they have at the moment, then it is only logical that we will lose more of the elder heads.



The key is finding balance - who has more left in the tank, what do they offer to the side, and what development/skills can they pass on to the younger players.

at 32/33 I dont think we should be offering any player a 2 year deal.



The potential for long term injury, loss of form/speed are way higher at that age than a 25/26 year old.



We have done the right thing by offering Gilmour/Long/Gidley a one year deal - they obviously show by refusing it that they are not that confident in themselves of keeping up their current standard for another 12 months and earning another 12 month deal after that.



Invest in the future and keep the club at the top.

If his possible departure allows us to sign a monster prop, i'll wave him off.

He's a great player but as has been said we've got bucket loads of backrowers, i count:-

tony p, wilkin, clough, flannery, ashurst, and possibly dixon.

Thats without the possibilty of wello and/or pryce moving there in coming seasons to make way for lomax/wheeler etc, etc. And Soliola coming at centre next year, who could move to back row and wheeler/dixon/lomax to centre if we had massive backrow injuries.

I don't think he is underated, most fans know how good he is, but its time for him and the club to get the best deal, and i think that means going our seperate ways. One of the best signings (for the money) in SL, IMO



edit

you can add magennis to the list as well

FFS Gilmour was 31 last month, not 33 or 34 as some suggest. The best player at the Bulls is 36 soon, age does not count for toffee.



The best two props in the World Petro Civinoceva, and Steve price are 71 yeas old between them

. Menzies 35 , and Forshaw played his best rugby at 34.



Gilmour has pace, a fantastic defence, runs the best lines at Saints, and can create his own space with footwork.



IMHO 2 years is not a problem to retain a fantastic utility player.

Give over. I checked Gilly's passport recently and it seems his photograph was endorsed by Stanley Gene, "I have been a professional associate of Mr Gilmour for 43 years and I hereby...". He's 33 and if says otherwise he's lying.



He is still in fantastic health and looks fit enough. I would have no problem at all with him staying but business is business and if a 2 year deal isn't acceptable to us then its also fine by me for him to take Huddersfield's dollars instead.

Gilmour was 31 last and that old boy is a FACT.

Great player and i'll be sad to see him go, but there's no room for sentimentality.



We always seem to move on our older players at just the right time.

Spot on. I agree with all you say.



I couldn't care if he's 40 as long as he still playing well.



To much is made about how old players are.