Best game I have seen him play, seemed to relish the opportunity to play in the halves once Gaskell went off.....Just hope he can keep himself fit and get a good run in the team.

Not many Saints fans doubt wheelers talent it's just his injury record is shocking. This season he looks like he's dropped some weight to me (along with a few others) which I think will suit his game more

It's his to steal off gaskell now. Competition for places EXCELLENT

If he stays fit, he is a better half than gaskell.

Must admit felt sorry for gas when I watched the match replay and he looked gutted, especially as wheeler picked up his role so easily.

Thats the way of things, Wheeler has had a year or two more in the first team (when fit) and is highly rated by all the coaches at all levels. He's put a good few games together now and i hope he can kick on and go the rest of the season

He is far better with ball in hand taking on the line, but Gaskell's distribution is far better from what I have seen of the two of them. They both have their own skill sets, and I think it is fantastic to have such a competition for places in the backs that we haven't had for years.

Do you mean his choices or his actual passing? I thought Wheeler's passing left a lot to be desired! He looked like he panicked a bit, throwing two wild passes and one that TP just managed to hold on to as he hurtled (for a big man) towards the line.

His passing, but a run in the team may improve this, it's a little early to make a final judgement.

Agreed.

I really like Wheeler but I also have been very impressed with Gaskell's effort and commitment recently he's been excellent in that regard. Gaskell has a wider skill set then Wheel's I think but may not be able to go through the gap like Wheel's can.



The game on Friday was a no-contest by the time Wheel's moved into the halves so for this reason we must definitely wait before we judge him - Gaskell has performed under pressure and in some big games so for me he's still the man who owns the shirt until Wheel's proves otherwise.



That said - competition is great I just hope we can keep them and keep them fit.



But what of next year with Lance coming......

I though Gaskell was an excellent foil for lomax - a steady hand, with distribution and a long kicking game to guide the team round, whilst letting lomax play the box-o-tricks role.



Wheeler has a lot of plus points but I don't think the halves as a whole will be as well rounded with wheeler in.



People have mentioned that Wheeler looked better when moved into the halves, but I'd say that's more a sign that, despite playing entertaining rugby, the centres probably aren't seeing as much ball as they could.

I think those people (me included) said that without realising that Royce had moved Roby into the halves, which might explain why things kept ticking over as well as they did.

Roby only really moved to a halfback role when Lomax went off, didn't he?



I wanted to imply that I think Wheeler can be as good a centre for us as a 5/8, but we don't seem to get as much ball to that channel as you'd think, given were playing some pretty good rugby.

Wheeler is getting just over 7 carries per game and Shenton just over 9. www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2011

Wheeler is getting just over 7 carries per game and Shenton just over 9. www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2011