Solid/Good win/Super Leon/Average : Fri Feb 26, 2010 10:54 pm  

I thought we did well tonight. Wakefield held out in the initial arm wrestle and came back at us with two superb tries (Both highlighted Wello's lack of pace). I thougth the last 10 in the first half and the first twenty in the second half were excellent. Not the Saints of old, but dominant and well executed play.

Keiron Cunningham may be retiring but he is still absolutely essential to our organisation and his influence over the team is almost hypnotic, it all seems to go rather pear shaped when he takes a break, whether he's actually involved in the play or not, it seems his presence just inspires the belief.

Honourable mentions tonight to Jammer, Maurie and especially Bryn Hargreaves. His spells on the pitch were full of effort and far more effect than last season, I thought he played really well against a strong Wakefield pack. But the MOM for me tonight was Super Leon Pryce. He was everywhere, tackling like a demon, encouraging the players, geeing them up and advising them. His attacking play was direct and always threatening. His work up the middle, as ever, was sensational making the selfless runs up the middle to get so many sets motoring. Kyle had a good game as well and I think those two could work out to be a great partnership once they learn to play together a bit more.

But the struggle we had to close the game out at the end shows we are no longer the Elite in Super League (With Leeds of course). We are now one of many and pretty much every game is going to be difficult, which I suppose is how it should be. Top 4 would be a great achievement. Hull, Huddersfield, Wakefield, Warrington and Wigan all look as good as us this season, so there could be plenty of close games ahead.

Re: Solid/Good win/Super Leon/Average : Fri Feb 26, 2010 11:11 pm  

I said after the Hull FC game if Saints were to have a good season Leon Pryce had to start taking more responsibility on his shoulders and really up his game.

3 games on and he's done that by the looks of it and your thriving on the back of it.

It's an exciting league this season without question. The game on Good Friday should be a beauty.

Re: Solid/Good win/Super Leon/Average : Fri Feb 26, 2010 11:26 pm  

its nice to receive some recognition at last! most tipsters had us outside the top 8.looking forward to the return at belle vue,good luck for the rest of the season

Saddened! wrote:

I thought we did well tonight. Wakefield held out in the initial arm wrestle and came back at us with two superb tries (Both highlighted Wello's lack of pace). I thougth the last 10 in the first half and the first twenty in the second half were excellent. Not the Saints of old, but dominant and well executed play.

Keiron Cunningham may be retiring but he is still absolutely essential to our organisation and his influence over the team is almost hypnotic, it all seems to go rather pear shaped when he takes a break, whether he's actually involved in the play or not, it seems his presence just inspires the belief.

Honourable mentions tonight to Jammer, Maurie and especially Bryn Hargreaves. His spells on the pitch were full of effort and far more effect than last season, I thought he played really well against a strong Wakefield pack. But the MOM for me tonight was Super Leon Pryce. He was everywhere, tackling like a demon, encouraging the players, geeing them up and advising them. His attacking play was direct and always threatening. His work up the middle, as ever, was sensational making the selfless runs up the middle to get so many sets motoring. Kyle had a good game as well and I think those two could work out to be a great partnership once they learn to play together a bit more.

But the struggle we had to close the game out at the end shows we are no longer the Elite in Super League (With Leeds of course). We are now one of many and pretty much every game is going to be difficult, which I suppose is how it should be. Top 4 would be a great achievement. Hull, Huddersfield, Wakefield, Warrington and Wigan all look as good as us this season, so there could be plenty of close games ahead.

Re: Solid/Good win/Super Leon/Average : Fri Feb 26, 2010 11:27 pm  

Thought we beat a very good team tonight, Wakefield like Wigan have hit the ground running for the start of this season.
I,m hoping the quicker play the balls continue this season as this will play to our strengths.
Roby and Jammer were impressive tonight in defence and attack, like to see Roby continue at loose forward with Moore/Cunningham at hooker.

Re: Solid/Good win/Super Leon/Average : Sat Feb 27, 2010 12:22 am  

You fail to mention that Saints only haf 2 subs for almost 55 minutes once again (just like the Hull game). Both Gidley and Ashurst could not return.

We was out on our feet at the end. Excellent effort Saints. Welldone.

Re: Solid/Good win/Super Leon/Average : Sat Feb 27, 2010 12:37 am  

The Wizard wrote:

You fail to mention that Saints only haf 2 subs for almost 55 minutes once again (just like the Hull game). Both Gidley and Ashurst could not return.

I didn't notice that to be honest. Shows how little involvement Gidley has these days.

Re: Solid/Good win/Super Leon/Average : Sat Feb 27, 2010 1:33 am  

R u on Glue, Gidley is the greatest Centre ever to wear a Saints jersey that I have seen. Better than Walsh and Meninga (only a fraction on those 2), but well in front of Loughlin, Ropati, McCracken, Newlove and Lyon. Give him another season at least.

Re: Solid/Good win/Super Leon/Average : Sat Feb 27, 2010 1:47 am  

[quote="yickbomber"]R u on Glue, Gidley is the greatest Centre ever to wear a Saints jersey that I have seen. Better than Walsh and Meninga (only a fraction on those 2), but well in front of Loughlin, Ropati, McCracken, Newlove and Lyon. Give him another season at least.[/quote

Better than Lyon my backside.

I have no problem with the talent the man has or his attitude or commitment, I just think he's been awfully quiet over the last 12 months.

Re: Solid/Good win/Super Leon/Average : Sat Feb 27, 2010 8:30 am  

yickbomber wrote:

R u on Glue, Gidley is the greatest Centre ever to wear a Saints jersey that I have seen. Better than Walsh and Meninga (only a fraction on those 2), but well in front of Loughlin, Ropati, McCracken, Newlove and Lyon. Give him another season at least.

Come on mate, Lyon is better than Gidley, no doubt.

Re: Solid/Good win/Super Leon/Average : Sat Feb 27, 2010 8:42 am  

He's on Glue alright!

Newlove was one of the best attacking centres I've ever seen - awesome!

And he did it for Saints for far longer than Lyon or Gidley.

However the flat play from slow play-the-balls has altered the defensive line while attacking and ultimately thats altered Gidleys game and thats partly why we've seen less of him.

Anyway back to the game:

Great effort with 15 players entertaining and excioting for a change which we've not said too often recently. Well done Wakey they are a good side with surprising pace in the backs and good go-forward they will go well this season.