Super League XVI - Saints Expectations : Mon Feb 07, 2011 4:10 pm  

Okay, so what are your expectations for us this year and what would you be happy with.

I'm torn a bit this year because of the increasing competitiveness of the league however I am still looking at us for competiting for a top two spot which we should do if we avoid big injuries. Warrington, Bradford and Huddersfield are our main contenders I think and even with McDermott at the helm Leeds have enough good players to keep them in that hunt although I don't forsee them pushing for the Grand Final.

Warrington are definitely strong in the centres but I've got questions about how much more Morley can give them or if Harrison can step up even further. Bradford have Potter there and he has a proven track record here whilst Huddersfield's settled squad should mean they can build on what they've already done.

Can't see us toppling Wigoon unless Simmons can up our defence to their quality or Daniel Anderson's quality.

At the start of this season, without knowing too much about how our game is going to look, I'd be looking for semi-finals in both comps and hopefully a final. I think expecting us to win a trophy is unrealistic although it is within our capability given that Warrington have managed to win two Challenge Cups in a row.

Re: Super League XVI - Saints Expectations : Mon Feb 07, 2011 5:06 pm  

Agree that expecting a trophy is unrealistic, but expecting us to compete on all fronts certainly isn't, given a fair wind with injury.

I think a lot of people are getting carried away with Wire and Wigan to be honest. We beat Wire three times last season despite all our issues and we played Wigan with Wilkin or Moore in the halves three times due to injuries, with Matty Smith thrown in there for good measure in the GF. Add in our other long term injuries to international forwards over the season and we weren't as far off the pace as some might think.

We'll be top3 for sure, we could well be top1.

Re: Super League XVI - Saints Expectations : Mon Feb 07, 2011 5:11 pm  

FearTheVee wrote:

Agree that expecting a trophy is unrealistic, but expecting us to compete on all fronts certainly isn't, given a fair wind with injury.

I think a lot of people are getting carried away with Wire and Wigan to be honest. We beat Wire three times last season despite all our issues and we played Wigan with Wilkin or Moore in the halves three times due to injuries, with Matty Smith thrown in there for good measure in the GF. Add in our other long term injuries to international forwards over the season and we weren't as far off the pace as some might think.

We'll be top3 for sure, we could well be top1.

Agreed.

Re: Super League XVI - Saints Expectations : Mon Feb 07, 2011 5:24 pm  

4th would be a good finish given the weakness throughout the squad.

Graham and Eastmond's impending decisions re. new contracts will make or break the season IMO. If they both sign up and the Jamie Lyon-esque signing for the new stadium is announced as well it could build some momentum. If, as expected, those two sign deals elsewhere I think it will subdue any good feeling and the season will fizzle out like a firework that never went off.

Re: Super League XVI - Saints Expectations : Mon Feb 07, 2011 5:40 pm  

It's difficult to predict at the moment as I haven't watched us in pre-season and don't know a great deal about our new coach. On paper we have a strong 19 or 20 players, but after that the quallity drops a bit and is made up of youngsters, who are capable but haven't played a great deal. The key for us is keeping our best 17 as fit as possible throughout the year. If we stay relatively fit and our halves in particularly play throughout the year we're in with a good chance of having a successful season.

With this set of players, I'd expect us to be in the top 3 and have a good cup run, possibly winning it if we get some well overdue luck. Depending how well the players take to the new coach and how much Simmons improves our defence could be the difference between a trophy and not.

Re: Super League XVI - Saints Expectations : Mon Feb 07, 2011 6:13 pm  

Wigan will walk it.

Warrington and Saints to take 2nd and 3rd, not sure in which order though.

Leeds to finish 4th.

Re: Super League XVI - Saints Expectations : Mon Feb 07, 2011 6:41 pm  

With crusaders and wakefield deducted points (they can't finish above us then) I can see us then in the bottom 6 at best. Can't see us doing jack s*it this year not looking forward to this year at all.

Give it a week or two we will have injuries all over the board, then graham will realise australia is the place to be.

Re: Super League XVI - Saints Expectations : Mon Feb 07, 2011 6:42 pm  

Trav2005 wrote:

With crusaders and wakefield deducted points (they can't finish above us then) I can see us then in the bottom 6 at best. Can't see us doing jack s*it this year not looking forward to this year at all.

Give it a week or two we will have injuries all over the board, then graham will realise australia is the place to be.

Bottom 6? Was this a serious post? No offence intended, a genuine question.

Re: Super League XVI - Saints Expectations : Mon Feb 07, 2011 6:46 pm  

Yep feel pretty low about this years campaign. Not even looking forward to watching the rugby this year. You never know it may be the male menopause.

Re: Super League XVI - Saints Expectations : Mon Feb 07, 2011 6:48 pm  

Trav2005 wrote:

Yep feel pretty low about this years campaign. Not even looking forward to watching the rugby this year. You never know it may be the male menopause.

Well I think you'll be pleasantly surprised then. We're certainly not favourites but we wont finish among the bottom 6.