ArthurClues wrote:
Calm down, calm down! You're a very sensitive bunch of fans for a team who has just won the competition three times on the bounce. Wouldn't want to be in Woolfe's shoes if you lose two in a row. Nothing wrong with your recruitment, it's top draw. I also said you have the best bunch of players in the northern hemisphere. I'd call that a compliment. I don't doubt your injury spreadsheet algorithms are top draw, but only a fool would attempt to draw a parallel between the injury impact the two clubs experienced last season. My point is, success isn't always as simple as having the best squad of players. Luck, good or bad plays it's part, and Leeds are due a bit. The gap should close a bit next year, odds would suggest not enough to topple Saints, but you never know. I remember thinking Leeds were nailed on for a 4th title in 2010, but Peacock and McGuire got injured when it mattered most. That's the beauty of sport.
I’m not not calm? I apologise if I came across as sensitive (though I do admit I’m bored of the narrative Saints have been “lucky” over the last 3 years - though that comes mostly from over the hill in Wigan
)
Yeah, there definitely were people calling for Woolf to go 5 games in, with 2 losses in that - but that’s a different story.
There’s absolutely a difference between the impact of an injury, and the volume of injuries a team gets. Volumes of injuries is, in part down to luck sure (though obviously strength and conditioning is a factor as well) but I don’t think Saints or Leeds are outside normal parameters of that luck and that’s what the numbers show, the difference being players like Dodd and Batchelor being able to step into the roles needed due to those injuries, minimising Saints impact.
Yes, absolutely anything can happen - and have also experienced a coulda shoulda woulda if not for injuries 2005 was nailed on until Wigan took out half our teams with spiteful play a week before the playoffs…) but we have a deeper squad this year, and a really clear plan with reserves and juniors for cover, and see our own rate of improvement as a squad as equal to or better than anyone else’s.