But when the chips were down, did Potter stick with Gaskell in the halves or did he put Wilkin there? He put Wilkin there. Gaskell wasn't injured after he was first played. But he didn't keep on playing him as Simmons has done. Had he done so then I would have been more convinced that Potter actually integrated the youngsters. We had Jamie Ellis at that time too. As well as Lomax (granted, Lomax was injured quite a bit, as was Wheeler). So he could have done what Simmons has done when we first lost Kyle and Leon. But he didn't. He preferred Wilkin with Moore.



I couldn't be more relieved that Potter has gone. Simmons for me any day of the week. And he really HAS integrated youngsters - #Lomaskell went down a treat!

Paul Clough was brought through in the Anderson era and I think it was Millward who gave him his Debut in 2003??? (Not so sure about the year)



Potter did bring consistancy I agree but we where never going to win Trophies under his tenure for a number of reasons. As you say he was rebuilding a side that was so succesful and lost a hell of alot of leaders in that time. Maybe we where all harsh on Potter as he did bring alot of young talented players through.



As for picking Wigan at home in the play-offs Im not so sure tbh. We beat Leeds in to qualifying Semi's at home twice and lost the Grand Final both years. Picking Huddersfield last year was the right chioce unfortuatley we where 2 half backs short in the GF to give Wigan a game.

I have mixed opinions on Potter but I don't see him as the root of all evil and as bad as some made out at the time.

I'm just enjoying the style of rugby after a boring 3 years. Silverware this year would be a bonus for me, not a necessity.

He wasn't the root of all evil. He was just naff.

The team appear to want to die for each other, and that's a great mentality to have, especially with the youngsters coming through. The comment above about the team needing coaching was spot on. I was unsure when he was announced, purely as the only other experience I had of him was his lacklustre time at Hull, but so far, I am very impressed.

Thats my point really, winning is important obviously but at least if we cant win trophy's (which no team can every year unless you play in the SPL lol) then playing a good brand of Rugby and giving 100% commitment is a must.



I dont think Potter ever really understood the club or the fans (or some of the players if the rumours are to be believed).

Could be describing Eric Hughes, and the team he built that went on to super league glories. Needed mcrae to instill the winning mentality , Hughes must have done a good job!

He's doing a great job considering our injury list and I hope that he can tighten up that defence because it needs tightening if we are to challenge for a trophy this year.

This was also Nobles problem.



He wouldnt stick with the younger players even though they was playing better, and it was found out in the end as it took an injury to Tim Smith to give Sam Tomkins a real go in the team.



It seems both Madge and Simmons will play the youngsters if they are playing well - which is what us fans like to see.

He was tightening it. We were at a 17 point average until we lost five players over three days! It's difficult to defend to the best of our ability when our players change by the minute! I'm sure he will do just fine in defence once - or if - we manage to field a reasonably consistent team.

He should get a great reception at our place on Monday. No one will forget the marathon runs he did for us to raise cash at that time. That's how bad things were when he coached us so don't take that previous stint in our game as anything to go by, I think he's doing a great job at Saints under mitigating circumstances.