Tonights Game : Fri May 04, 2012 9:45 pm  

This isn't a pop at the current Saints team.

I can't believe how far the standard of quality RL has slipped. The biggest cheer of the night was for "operation omega". Earlier this week I watched a clip from "Saints Redvee" about 1992 41-6 win against a dominant Wigan team arguably at their peak.
The standard of rugby in those days bears no resemblance to current superleague offerings. Forwards running into gaps, offloads, half backs in true control etc etc. Yes I know it's a different game these days but to me the current game is robotic - little or no off the cuff flair, players over-coached, gameplan and structure dominant etc.

Yes, defence is so structured and dominant these days but, I ask, as a spectacle what is better for entertainment and enjoyment - the current era or what was offered up in former days. No brainer for me!

Re: Tonights Game : Fri May 04, 2012 9:53 pm  

bulldog13 wrote:

This isn't a pop at the current Saints team.

I can't believe how far the standard of quality RL has slipped. The biggest cheer of the night was for "operation omega". Earlier this week I watched a clip from "Saints Redvee" about 1992 41-6 win against a dominant Wigan team arguably at their peak.
The standard of rugby in those days bears no resemblance to current superleague offerings. Forwards running into gaps, offloads, half backs in true control etc etc. Yes I know it's a different game these days but to me the current game is robotic - little or no off the cuff flair, players over-coached, gameplan and structure dominant etc.

Yes, defence is so structured and dominant these days but, I ask, as a spectacle what is better for entertainment and enjoyment - the current era or what was offered up in former days. No brainer for me!

Agreed.

Unfortunately we can't play the game in the past. (Even though Wigan try to!!!!)

Re: Tonights Game : Fri May 04, 2012 10:07 pm  

We play in the manner of the previous coach-up the middle most of the time rarely moving the ball wide-its deadly tedious

Re: Tonights Game : Fri May 04, 2012 10:12 pm  

I thought the whole night was flat but I expected it. These sort of games can be very boring but we got two points and put some points on the board.

It was freezing cold tonight and the wind was cutting thru me and was glad to get home to be honest.

Re: Tonights Game : Fri May 04, 2012 10:17 pm  

you play to your strengths and opposition weaknesses.

Saints are very much a team that plays it tight down the middle and wears the opposition down, because we have a big mobile pack that is good at making yards and playing the ball quick, with Roby scooting from dummy half.

As for the earlier poster comparing it to the Wigan match in 1992. You are not comparing like with like.
That was two top teams slugging it out, with the game opening up in part because three players were removed from the field, Skerrett permanently for elbowing McCraken in the face, and Platt and Nickle for 10 minutes due to fighting.
I remember watching many matches around that time were Saints went through the motions against weak opposition, such as happened tonight.

Re: Tonights Game : Fri May 04, 2012 10:20 pm  

The Chair Maker wrote:

you play to your strengths and opposition weaknesses.

Saints are very much a team that plays it tight down the middle and wears the opposition down, because we have a big mobile pack that is good at making yards and playing the ball quick, with Roby scooting from dummy half.

As for the earlier poster comparing it to the Wigan match in 1992. You are not comparing like with like.
That was two top teams slugging it out, with the game opening up in part because three players were removed from the field, Skerrett permanently for elbowing McCraken in the face, and Platt and Nickle for 10 minutes due to fighting.
I remember watching many matches around that time were Saints went through the motions against weak opposition, such as happened tonight.

How McCraken got up from that elbow I'll never know!

Re: Tonights Game : Fri May 04, 2012 10:33 pm  

OMG it was freezing..

It was a bit of a case of going through the motions tonight. No more and no less than needed to beat Wakey. But Gawd we did stick to the middle just a bit much. The centres where having to do drive ups from dummy half they were so bored. In the end though it was an easy win and it picks us up one spot up the table this weekend. So after our worst start for years we hit the half way mark (more or less ) as we have played everyone once in 6th. (yes I know we are 5th now but one of Hull or Leeds has to go above us).

PS I think we have found out new flying winger, pity he plays in the Hooking role.

Re: Tonights Game : Fri May 04, 2012 10:45 pm  

I wasnt there tonight but I agree about SL as a whole being poor this year.

I used to watch every game that was on TV, now I watch a half at most and its usually so one sided its pointless.

There has been a lot of talk of change, looking at things to improve the game etc.. and I think it seriously needs to be looks at.

Yet, Featherstone provided one of the better games to watch against Wigan???

Re: Tonights Game : Fri May 04, 2012 10:55 pm  

Any news on Sia, he seamed to pick up an inoccuous looking bump, but then went off never to be seen again???

We have to keep in perspective that we were very comfortable and that side would have 5-6 changes to be our prefered starting line up.

Re: Tonights Game : Fri May 04, 2012 10:55 pm  

Tonight was dire. Very one dimensional attack, we was constantly bunched around the ruck area. All in all just a pretty poor game.