Got to be said, two very good young half backs who link and compliment each other very well! Saints have got the potential to build a very good team around them!

Well whoopee for them then.


More concerned with what our own club is doing,to be perfectly honest.

I they do look like two cracker jacks.

I'm hopeful that either Mellor or Powell or possibly both, can prove to be just as good for Wigan.

Speaking to other fan's at the under 20's GF, a lot were very optimistic about Williams and Hampshire in our 18's. Although a few years away yet, those two are said to be very special. Fingers crossed they can progress all the way to the first team.

So why comment?

Two very talented youngsters. Lomax should be in with a shout for an England appearance, he's played very well this year and thoroughly deserves his young player of the year award. Gaskell is still a bit hit and miss for me, although I believe he's a year younger than Lomax, to be fair he definitely "hit" against us! If they continue to progress Saints will have the creative backbone of their squad set for a fair while.

As for Wigan, I think Mellor should be handed a first team shirt for next year, and be told he will be judged at the end of the season. Tommy back to 9 with McIlorum rotating, and Deacon to call it a day. Mellor should give us the pace in the halves we've been lacking, should contrast well with Finch.

I think of the two Gaskell is the better player and a more talented 'halfback' in the traditional sense, but I agree that he's hit and miss but that's what can happen with a young player in a key position. Gaskell seems to be a better kicker and passer from what I've seen and more capable of doing the organisational role whereas Lomax is a direct runner and excellent support player. The role Gaskell has leaves him prone to making more mistakes because he has a harder role. Of course Saints fans who see him every week would be able to correct me on that, but from what I've seen Gaskell is the organiser and Lomax the strike player.
Either way they compliment each other well. I think at Wigan Mellor and Powell compliment each in a similar way, although since his injury Mellor seems to have focused a little more on (and improved) the playmaking aspects of his game, perhaps because of the knee injury.

Gaskell looked the biz when I saw him playing Under 18s for Saints a couple of years back. So not much of a shock to me to see him do well.

Bit test for them next year will be when Graham leaves. It's a huge hole to fill but time will tell. They should be ok.

There's something about Gaskell when he plays that reminds me of Leon Pryce. (No not his ball handling skills) but the speed he attacks the line and his ability to step and ghost through the defence is frightening. At the start of the season I thought he was just an average player with a good kicking game but he has improved a lot.

As for Lomax for me he has to start alongside Widdop for England in the 4 Nations. Best to get the youngsters in playing now and Lomax certainly is capable of making the step up!

Also I hear Wheeler is another great talent but is has had some bad luck with injuries recently. What's his best position? Because I'm sure he has played at Stand Off and at Centre before for Saints.

They've been great and as a Wigan fan I'm still very pleased how they've gone. As a country we need as many young players coming through as possible and these 2 have something about them. I've said before I think Lomax is the better player but Gaskell the better halfback if that makes sense.

The way Saints get these lads playing like that is a credit to them. Their hands been forced at times but the environment they bring these lads in to must be very good. At u20's level we have a better side and better players but when both teams youngsters get in to the first teams they seem to level up. I think it may be due to Saints having very good and experienced English leaders these past few years.

Lomax is a terrific player who will only get better by playing against better class opposition ( NZ / AUS ) . Sadley he might not get the chance this season because of Mr Bannana 's selection policy .

Wheeler is a fantastic talent and you are right, he plays at centre and stand off. He's been injured more than not this season though. He needs to step up next season and hopefully be injury free, or he'll get left behind.

Both fantastic young players, Saints should be very proud to have developed both of them.