Judder Man wrote:
1. How would you score out of 10 the teams performance so far this season.
I can only vote on home games plus those away games that I have seen on TV as I haven't been in a financial position to afford to attend away games. Therefore, based on what has been available to me I would give the team an overall score of 6, and that's because I'm feeling generous because we beat Hull last night! Had you asked me after the Hull KR home game I would have given you a rude answer.
2. How many games this season have you found acceptable based on performance and effort over the full 80 mins.
Again, I've been limited to home and TV games. Probably the home game against Wigan stands out as our best performance over the full 80 although we had dodgy moments even then. Other than that I couldn't say that any Saints game I have watched this season has been an 80 minute performance although I will add the caveat that my memory isn't as good as it used to be.
3. Having no half backs, in your opinion how severe has this been a set back on the outcome of the season.
Well, since we did actually have a halfback available, I don't think I've forgiven Brown for putting us in the position of having no halfbacks. That was one of the dumbest coaching decisions I have ever known and he put us under unnecessary pressure as a result. However, lacking halfbacks hasn't been the main reason for our often dismal performances IMO. Attitude has.
4. Another enormous amount of injuries this season, do you think this may be down to bad conditioning, technique or just plain bad luck.
Who knows? Question is moot really as the club clearly aren't looking at the conditioning staff, yet it is rather apparent that with the departure of Perelini we began to grow a seasonal injury list.
5 Who in you opinion who are the top 5 influential or important players at the club.
Do you mean in terms of on field performance? If so then James Roby has to be one and I do think his absence has caused us problems, not least he is our most dynamic player and everyone steps up a notch when he is on the pitch. This season Jon Wilkin has been important because although he has made some dumb decisions during individual matches, his willingness and ability to put some kind of structure and leadership out there has been invaluable. Our team without him would have been a lot worse I think. I think Soliola and Walmsley have also been very important this year as both give the team and fans a boost when they come on to the pitch and never give anything less than 100%, an attitude that has been sadly lacking in other senior players on a number of occasions this season. I would also say the same about Makinson who though getting no plaudits whatsoever has quietly gone about his business pretty consistently this season, standing in at fullback even while being unfavourably compared to Lomax, and doing what was necessary for the team through a difficult season.
6 What is your perception for the future of the club, on and off the field.
I think the financial future of the club is still in the balance in that there is a lot of work yet to do for the club to make the stadium pay. If they can do the business in that direction then within a decade the club should be financially ticking over nicely. However, in terms of backroom personnel I think Saints has become an old boys club and comes across as quite parochial and introspective. Some fresh ideas and vision would be welcome IMO. On the field I can't see us winning anything for the foreseeable future but hopefully next season will see a better attitude on the pitch, and for the fully 80 minutes, therefore providing the fans (especially home fans) with something to get excited about again. However, as Brown is notorious for his casual attitude and tinkering ways, that may have to wait until the next coach comes in.
