What a fabulous night... : Sat Feb 25, 2012 12:02 am  

Stadium is really growing on me. I could get a drink today without missing half the game. Superb service tonight, although I'm not sure whether it was just luck or that every had just given up trying to go to the vending outlets.

Game was superbly entertaining, just about the best finish to a game since Wide to West. Utterly engrossing I thought.

Before I engage in a rant and get accused of disrespecting Catalans, can I just say they were and are wonderful? Superbly coached, brilliant to watch and they never say die. They are everything we used to be when we used to be good. We used to do that to teams, refusing to give up and showing wonderful skill and determination to win. I love watching Catalans and for first loss at LP I couldn't have chosen a more deserving side.

As for us, tale of two halves. We played alright in the first half, not making many mistakes and working well around the ruck. But after Makinson scored we were done, completely gone. The pack is utter rubbish, the front row has no impact to it whatsoever. Laffranchi was bought to replace Jammer, but he is if anything a carbon copy of Paul Clough, works hard enough but carries no impact at all. How he ever played for Australia I'll never know. Back row is better but unless Soliola can play the 80 there is no impact there either.

Our defending is atrocious. I have never seen a Saints team defend as poorly as consistently as this one does. Three or four of their tries were utterly pathetic. When a 17 stone prop is going over from 10 metres without a hand being laid on them you know something isn't quite right. Our players have no organisation at all, we dont' do the basics right at all. We don't number up right, we leave overlaps and gaps everywhere. We are just lucky we've not played an in form team like Warrington, Leeds or Wigan or we'd be looking at a 75-0 kind of night. That's how inept we are. So many times tonight three players dove on the same player, leaving a glaring hole, and then failed to secure the ball.

The poor defending comes from coaching and it's now blatantly obvious that the coaching isn't up to standard at Saints. We look completely disorganised in defense and we have two moves which we use over and over again in attack. Contrast to the 'Saints way' with off the cuff rugby being played when conditions suited, the way Catalans played tonight. It's painful to watch this side, too predictable and with no cutting edge at all. Wellens should take a lot of the blame, we attack with 12 players and we defend with 12. I'm sick of him ambling to the scene as the player puts the ball down and starts celebrating, waving his arms around at the ref or his team mates and I'm sick of him stumbling into the attacking line because he can't keep up. He HAS to be dropped, simple as that. It took Royce all of three games to realise Hohaia is a terrible half back, so why can't he see how poor Wellens is now? I'm also sick of Royce Simmons and his bench policy. We should have four forwards on the bench against teams like Catalans. It's the basics and he can't see it.

The most obvious problem at the moment though is the complete lack of a leader on the field. In the past we had Sculthorpe, Cunningham, Graham, Long, Hooper, Martyn on the field at the same time. Now we don't have a single player with any influence at all. When it gets tough, we fold straight away, there is no encouragement, no one leading by example, no one calling the shots and handing out a rollocking. It looks like we're going to amble through this season in a malaise, all is good we've got a new stadium.

Re: What a fabulous night... : Sat Feb 25, 2012 1:00 am  

: Yes I thought I too would have a good night even if the pundits knew we were in for a hard time with the Dragons, who turned out to be far more organised than we are.

( is one pre season game enough to sort the wheat from the chaff, perhaps not )


This was my 11yo daughters first ever home game and was excited to be there but seemed to be more interested in pinging her mates from school who were sat in the stands before the game started,,,,,,,, she was convinced we had it sewn up at half time,,,,,,,I must admit it did feel a bit routine till they got their fingers out and tested our line defence,,,,,,gapping holes you could have driven a Stobart's truck through, on more than one occassion,,,,shocking.

Whatever happened to swinging the ball about with quick hands, at times our wingers didn't get to feel the ball for very long periods..

I thought we were wiser than that to be 'mugged' by basic play,,,,I bet the game was an 'ace' for the pub munkies who would rather buy beer than a season ticket, shame on you...


I would love to be able go to a game and have a pint but it is almost impossible as driving in is the only option,,,,,,with this in mind I buy a pie and Hot chocolate at 1/2 time.
The pie was warm and tastey but the brew was dishwater,,,,,,,I returned to the outlet to ask for my money back,,,,,,£2 which I got back after being firm but fair.

It just makes you wonder how many more people had a pish poor brew but said nowt.

Regards


Jock...

Re: What a fabulous night... : Sat Feb 25, 2012 1:24 am  

As a Wigan fan, I must admit that I don't think Saints are as bad as is being made out here. I think Lomax especially is a fantastic talent and people like Gaskell and even Wheeler don't seem far behind.
In terms of the worries about lack of leadership, I suppose thats something you might have to cop in the short term while the youngsters learn at the top level.
The defence does seem to be an issue for you lot. 36 against a Dobson-less KR and another 34 tonight obviously suggests problems! I wouldn't worry too much though. It was less than a year ago since you lot defended superbly on Good Friday last year and were unlucky not to win the game.
As for Wellens......he needs to go! Passed it for me!
So all in all, don't panic! Id expecting Saints to be right up there in the cup and the league, in fact I think you'll win one of them (difficult to say! haha)
See you on Good Friday at your new ground which DOES look very nice!

Re: What a fabulous night... : Sat Feb 25, 2012 6:01 am  

Got to say, I think you Saints fans are going over the top. You looked very impressive tonight, Cats just threw the ball about with gay abandon because they had nothing to lose, they got on a roll and nicked it.
Great game to watch !
I think you need a field leader though as is said above.
Ground looks superb, can't wait for our turn !
Chin up lads.

Re: What a fabulous night... : Sat Feb 25, 2012 9:28 am  

I think you are now seeing how much of an influence James Graham was on the field of play in terms of leadership of the pack and getting your defense organised.

Great advert for neutrals to watch Sky just need to sort out the clueless commentators they have and the package would improve tremendously.

Saints will still be top 4 and challenging for trophies come the end of the season.

Re: What a fabulous night... : Sat Feb 25, 2012 10:18 am  

Well firstly congratulations in playing your part in a truely epic game of rugby. Will no doubt be game of the season. For much of the game i thought you completely controlled it. Forwards bossed a big Catalan pack, short and tactical kicking was superb and your youngsters really shone. The only weakness for me was leadership as mentioned above. When Catalan got on a roll there was no calm head to organise, no one to lead the way and grind the game out. But to be honest I dont know who in your squad can step up to that mark. You dont have a Sculthorpe in your squad. As your young players develop a leader will be identified but I wouldnt over react, Saints are a very good side and the top 4 will be a very tough battle for 6 teams this year. I couldnt call who is favourites as I think all the top 6 are capable of taking points off each other and beating each other on any given day

Re: What a fabulous night... : Sat Feb 25, 2012 10:20 am  

Saddened! wrote:

can I just say they were and are wonderful? Superbly coached, brilliant to watch and they never say die.

maybe you should try and employ their coach at the end of the season.

Re: What a fabulous night... : Sat Feb 25, 2012 10:56 am  

Two weeks on the trot ive watched saints now and both times have been entertained. Draw fair result last week against us and last night...well cant buy entertainment like that. For the neutral brilliant, for the saints fans De ja vu can really bite you on the bum.

Re: What a fabulous night... : Sat Feb 25, 2012 12:08 pm  

That was a really 'good' game! Thoroughly enjoyed it and thought Saints had it sewn up....

Also thought Gary wheeler was one to watch

Re: What a fabulous night... : Sat Feb 25, 2012 12:57 pm  

Great game to watch, top entertainment from both sides, fabulous advert for our game