I am starting to think we take the proverbial with all our local lads...well the one's we eventually decide to flippin' play!!!..

From what I've seen his distribution close to line has been very good, especially his face ball.



He'd have to start as back up at a club but good luck to the lad.

To be fair, surely one of the main reasons to foster home grown young talent, is the fact that they are cheaper, whats the point in putting years of training into a player if they are going to cost the same as just buying in the talent

I don't think anyone is saying we should be paying the kind of money we do for imports, but the kind of money being talked about for Houghton is not what he is worth, especially with what we are apparently paying some other, less valuable/important, players.

Not sure about that, I doubt very much Wigan, Wire, Leeds are Saints underpay their local lads, hence the loyalty of the players and why most stay....Berro was at the time we had him the highest paid import yet he was far from the best performing import..Players should be paid what they are worth.

Has money got anything to do with it?



Horne and Yeaman get a fair whack, some even say over paid, so we do look after them if their up to it.

This has been a problem for too long now though, especially when you hear JR saying we are at full cap then you look at other squads in SL and see the difference in the fact they have class in key areas and altogther more balanced teams. In fairness the club I seem to remember last season looked at addressing this even though we still ended up resigning Dowes & Radford.

Yep....Houghton was on peanuts last season, less than most labourers, his contract has improved but not great.

I think the issue is that we [ieventually[/i look after them, but we don't seem to really value "local" players coming through.



Performance related contracts, the way forward.

Heard this a week or two ago, apparently Fitz has been throwing his name about and trying to get a club for him.... I wouldn't be surprised by this and I think it would be a big loss as you can see his enthusiasm and love for the club the way he celebrates wins and takes the time to come right up to every section of the crowd and applaud the fans, that sort of pride and passion in the shirt is what's needed. The signing of heremaia seems to make more sense if this is true.

I agree...



Our h/backs are in the highest paid at the club yet I doubt we can count on two hands how many games they have played together in 2 seasons, and even when they do play they are average/good, but far from top earners...Yet we flog a hooker to death and pay him peanuts....

Totally agree with that.