Re: Pryce going nowhere (as if we hadn't guessed!) : Thu Jan 20, 2011 1:12 pm  

snowdog wrote:

why did you say on the wire forum that you wouldnt want eastmond because he is too much like myler

Eastmond is so much better than Myler it's frankly ridiculous.

Re: Pryce going nowhere (as if we hadn't guessed!) : Thu Jan 20, 2011 2:47 pm  

I think its inevitable that we will lose Leon in 2012 but hopefully Lomax will be ready to take over by then.

Re: Pryce going nowhere (as if we hadn't guessed!) : Thu Jan 20, 2011 3:00 pm  

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_l ... 368051.stm alot more positive from leon, he wants to end his career here

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_l ... 368051.stm alot more positive from leon, he wants to end his career here

Re: Pryce going nowhere (as if we hadn't guessed!) : Thu Jan 20, 2011 5:37 pm  

Ande wrote:

I think its inevitable that we will lose Leon in 2012 but hopefully Lomax will be ready to take over by then.

It's not inevitable at all. I said on Redvee a few days ago that out of the three (Graham, Eastmond and Pryce) he is the most likely to sign a new deal and the article on the bbc posted above confirms that. Leon will sign a new deal at Saints, I'm almost certain of it.

Re: Pryce going nowhere (as if we hadn't guessed!) : Thu Jan 20, 2011 8:01 pm  

jdrocket wrote:

Would you say his lack of game time was purely injury or is he ready for more game time ahead of Pryce or Eastmond?

Last season Lomax suffered from less game time due to injury. Had he had an injury-free season then he would have played every game where there was a spot available. As it is he played at fullback, wing, centre and stand off. I thought he was great on the wing, poor at centre, ok at fullback (but he doesn't have the positioning, reliability in defence or security under the high ball that Foster has) and on the very few occasions he played at stand off he looked very interesting indeed. I don't think he will be played ahead of Pryce or Eastmond as a matter of routine but I hope Simmons will play him at halfback occasionally.

It seems like you have a lot of players coming through at standoff. That should be good for the future of Sts. Do you think it may backfire if your two halves leave at the end of the season? As in will the good work be almost wasted as you have to rely on them next year?

We seem to be a halfback and second row production line! I don't think Pryce will leave next season and I hope he does not because we need his skill, guile and experience on the pitch. Our younger lads are not ready to take on the mantle yet. But if Kyle leaves then I do think that one of Wheeler or Lomax could step up, so long as it was in partnership with Leon. If both Leon and Kyle leave then we are screwed! It's barge only tries until the new halfbacks get up to speed (and we may not be much good at those kind of tries now that Cunningham has left!).

Additionally, there are reports of some part of the injury being in his head.

There was never a mention of an injury to Kyle's head. Lomax has three plates in his so maybe you are getting our halfbacks mixed up?

I think you will start the season with a win.

I'm glad you think that! I don't. I think it is too soon with our new coach, new look team and number of injured to start the season to beat Wigan in Cardiff but I might be pleasantly surprised as I sit in the stadium freezing to death.

However, what are your expectations for next year.

To be honest, I don't have any just yet. I might develop some over the course of the next two weeks when we see something of what Simmons has in store for us during the friendlies. But I'm finding it impossible to imagine our new look team at the moment and so I can't figure out what to expect.

You didn't seem like a ruthless team last year. It was Warrington and Wigan that seemed like the dominant ones. Then you snook in at the end of the year to take second and find a spot at the GF. Are you hoping for silverware or just more consistency. Not losing a load of players to injury or losing to Catalan at home?

We weren't a ruthless team last year, or the year before. That was the Potter effect (or one of them). Warrington and Wigan were the dominant teams. Warrington fell at the Saints hurdle, as usual! Had they beaten us in the playoffs then it wouldn't have surprised me if they would have taken the Grand Final. Of the two teams Warrington played much more attractive rugby league and that would have been well suited to the big, dry pitch that was the Grand Final. We could only barge and Wigan stopped us from doing that.

I am always hoping for silverware btw!

Do you think Wire will go all the way this season?

Oh, and do you think you will finally beat Saints now that King Kieron has hung up his boots?

Re: Pryce going nowhere (as if we hadn't guessed!) : Thu Jan 20, 2011 8:57 pm  

SaintsFan wrote:

Last season Lomax suffered from less game time due to injury. Had he had an injury-free season then he would have played every game where there was a spot available. As it is he played at fullback, wing, centre and stand off. I thought he was great on the wing, poor at centre, ok at fullback (but he doesn't have the positioning, reliability in defence or security under the high ball that Foster has) and on the very few occasions he played at stand off he looked very interesting indeed. I don't think he will be played ahead of Pryce or Eastmond as a matter of routine but I hope Simmons will play him at halfback occasionally.

Well that is worrying from a wire POV. As i said my friend is a massive Lomax fan. I never really saw it tbh. But i am hardly in the position to make judgements like that. As i said haven't seen much of him and when i did, he has been out of position.

We seem to be a halfback and second row production line! I don't think Pryce will leave next season and I hope he does not because we need his skill, guile and experience on the pitch. Our younger lads are not ready to take on the mantle yet. But if Kyle leaves then I do think that one of Wheeler or Lomax could step up, so long as it was in partnership with Leon. If both Leon and Kyle leave then we are screwed! It's barge only tries until the new halfbacks get up to speed (and we may not be much good at those kind of tries now that Cunningham has left!).

and if JAmmer goes. He gets the hard yards. I wouldn't worry just yet. It looked really like there would be no consistency with both eastmond and pryce leaving, as he never made it clear he wanted to stay with saints just assured he wasn't leaving just yet.

There was never a mention of an injury to Kyle's head. Lomax has three plates in his so maybe you are getting our halfbacks mixed up?

Sorry i meant as in he thinks he is injured when he isn't but at the same time, broken ankles. I don't think there was anything in it. He just seems to be extremely unlucky with injuries and people are looking for a reason. And it would be easier just to say he is "faking"

I'm glad you think that! I don't. I think it is too soon with our new coach, new look team and number of injured to start the season to beat Wigan in Cardiff but I might be pleasantly surprised as I sit in the stadium freezing to death.

Don't get me wrong i think it will be a tough season. But you will never be fresher than after a cuple of tough friendlies at the start of the seaosn, in front of a massive crowd. Also, it is the old enemy for STs fans. I don't think it will be an easy season for saints. I have said i can see them topping the table and shocking everyone.

To be honest, I don't have any just yet. I might develop some over the course of the next two weeks when we see something of what Simmons has in store for us during the friendlies. But I'm finding it impossible to imagine our new look team at the moment and so I can't figure out what to expect.

have teams been released for the friendlies? are they full strength? Leigh is full strengh for Wire and you can assume the Wigan friendly will be too for us.

We weren't a ruthless team last year, or the year before. That was the Potter effect (or one of them). Warrington and Wigan were the dominant teams. Warrington fell at the Saints hurdle, as usual! Had they beaten us in the playoffs then it wouldn't have surprised me if they would have taken the Grand Final. Of the two teams Warrington played much more attractive rugby league and that would have been well suited to the big, dry pitch that was the Grand Final. We could only barge and Wigan stopped us from doing that.

Thanks, however i think i was one of the few wire fans that expected a tough game at hudders. We looked really tired at KR and i knew it wasn't gonna get anybetter against a determined hudds. I had seen what they did to Wigan a few weeks before. We were lucky to get so close in that match.

I am always hoping for silverware btw!

Do you think Wire will go all the way this season?

Oh, and do you think you will finally beat Saints now that King Kieron has hung up his boots?

I think wire will be the bridesmaid this year. In every competition. Some want to think it will be Wigan and Wire in both finals. I don't think that will happen. Making the Grand final would be amazing. Winning would be a shock. Hope a lower team or wire win the CC. It is the great thing about the CC that lower teams get to the final... (Catalan or broncos) or even win (eagles)

I think KC retiring will have a big effect on both teams. I hope it turns more into a match for two points. It isn't really a derby, it is just the hoodoo. I am sure there will be a revolution on both boards when wire finally win though. If I was to answer honestly, i would say i think Wire can do it this year. Should be a close match though. They always are... or at least i want to rememebr them that way. (well... except the last minute winners from Long or the last minute misses from westwood)

Re: Pryce going nowhere (as if we hadn't guessed!) : Thu Jan 20, 2011 9:25 pm  

jdrocket wrote:

As i said my friend is a massive Lomax fan. I never really saw it tbh. But i am hardly in the position to make judgements like that. As i said haven't seen much of him and when i did, he has been out of position.

His strength is in his attack. He still has some way to go defensively. I think a lot of Saints fans would like to see more of Lomax because we think he has talent which has not yet had the chance to fully show itself. However, at present he is recovering from a fracture to his leg, which he could well have been playing on at the back end of last season (one thigh was permanently strapped and he was regularly limping).

and if JAmmer goes. He gets the hard yards.

Jammer would be a serious loss and I think of all our players at the end of their contracts he is the one most likely to go simply because he has a longstanding hankering to play down under.

Sorry i meant as in he thinks he is injured when he isn't but at the same time, broken ankles. I don't think there was anything in it. He just seems to be extremely unlucky with injuries and people are looking for a reason. And it would be easier just to say he is "faking"

I've never gotten the impression that Kyle was faking any injury. In fact, I think he hated the fact that he couldn't play. When I have heard him talk he is of the mindset who hates losing and loves playing. So I would imagine what has been seen is his frustration and perhaps anxiety that he is - yet again - going to have to leave the field.

have teams been released for the friendlies? are they full strength? Leigh is full strengh for Wire and you can assume the Wigan friendly will be too for us.

The full team hasn't been released but so far it seems our youngest halfback, Lee Gaskell, is playing with Leon and Jamie Foster is playing at fullback, which personally I am really looking forward to seeing as I think he has potential in that position. I have no idea who Widnes will be fielding. I should imagine they will put out a strong side as they have already had one friendly against you haven't they?

I think wire will be the bridesmaid this year. In every competition.

Why do you think that? You made progress last year on 2009. Can't you see Wire making further progress in 2011? I can. I think if Smith can tweek things slightly and introduce a wet weather game then I can see Warrington challenging for honours again. If the team were as tired as you suggest by the playoffs then perhaps Smith has to put a stronger emphasis on the Grand Final rather than going for a third Challenge Cup. Which would you prefer: Champions or Grand Final winners for a third year running?

I think KC retiring will have a big effect on both teams. I hope it turns more into a match for two points. It isn't really a derby, it is just the hoodoo. I am sure there will be a revolution on both boards when wire finally win though.

I think you are right on all counts but I'm hoping that rather than the effect of KC retiring being a negative one on Saints, it has the same effect that Longy going had: other players stepped up.

If I was to answer honestly, i would say i think Wire can do it this year.

I think so too.

Should be a close match though. They always are... or at least i want to rememebr them that way. (well... except the last minute winners from Long or the last minute misses from westwood)

I've got to say, the Longy last minute drop goals were the best!

Re: Pryce going nowhere (as if we hadn't guessed!) : Thu Jan 20, 2011 11:31 pm  

SaintsFan wrote:

Jammer would be a serious loss and I think of all our players at the end of their contracts he is the one most likely to go simply because he has a longstanding hankering to play down under.

I get that feeling too. I keep changing my mind. I think it isn't helped by what other fans think. For example i would have felt quite confident three months ago that Pryce would be in the Bradford kit now because of the number of 'inside sources' i had heard of. They all apparently amounted to nothing. I think with James graham saying practically that he wants to be in aus, at a bloming fans forum (he said 50/50 i take that as a sugar coat) he is going to go. I fdon't get the feeling that Eastmond has made his mind up each way and i wouldn't be surprised if it was a money ploy from his agent. I still think Pryce wants to go Bradford. Morely apparently wants to have a go at salfrod before he retires. I, personally, don't see the harm and would welcome him going to his home town club for a final season. I can't help thinking pryce might do the same.

I've never gotten the impression that Kyle was faking any injury. In fact, I think he hated the fact that he couldn't play. When I have heard him talk he is of the mindset who hates losing and loves playing. So I would imagine what has been seen is his frustration and perhaps anxiety that he is - yet again - going to have to leave the field

As i said, i think it is fans of rugby trying to account for 2 broken ankles. It sin't a regular occurrence in the span of one season. It was like as soon as he was back on the field he wanted to go off. I would imagine he is just exceptionally unlucky. And this has caused some of the tension over is he going? if he had had a good season with saints this year. Everyone knows whrere they stand.

The full team hasn't been released but so far it seems our youngest halfback, Lee Gaskell, is playing with Leon and Jamie Foster is playing at fullback, which personally I am really looking forward to seeing as I think he has potential in that position. I have no idea who Widnes will be fielding. I should imagine they will put out a strong side as they have already had one friendly against you haven't they?

You imagine the other friendlies will be full team? we had one, against Widnes, where there was a lot of youngsters. I can't account for the Widnes team. They certianly didn't look like yougsters but i wouldn't be surprised if there was a mixture there for both teams.

Why do you think that? You made progress last year on 2009. Can't you see Wire making further progress in 2011? I can. I think if Smith can tweek things slightly and introduce a wet weather game then I can see Warrington challenging for honours again. If the team were as tired as you suggest by the playoffs then perhaps Smith has to put a stronger emphasis on the Grand Final rather than going for a third Challenge Cup. Which would you prefer: Champions or Grand Final winners for a third year running?

Don't know whether it was slinking out of the playoffs so badly last time or whether i noticed that teams have improved drastically.
Saints were missing in some areas (centre) and they bought a new player for the weak areas. Wigan were dominant last year and they have got some big Australian names in. Who apparently have adapted well. Even Hull KR cor Salford or Bradford have improved. The CC is where Wire win and the competition is getting good. I think the new additions at Warrington will be great but we seemed the real deal last year and we under achieved. If anyone can get Wire thinking the right way it is Lord Tony. I am hopeful but i don't expect a landslide next year. I think i would prefer to be pleasantly surprised.

I think you are right on all counts but I'm hoping that rather than the effect of KC retiring being a negative one on Saints, it has the same effect that Longy going had: other players stepped up.

I hope so too. I persoanlly feel that KC sold his soul to the devil and put a curse on Warrington. Well, not really. But. it was spooky how leads were lost and even with injuries you beat us. I don't think i would be too out of line saying, sometimes the better team lost. I think having KC on the field made Saints indestructable at times. Hope it is a great Saints performance that we beat. I hope to see the faces of Saints fans in the west stand knowing they were out played and there was nothing their team could do about it. I just love a good rugby match.

I think so too.

Would make a change. I thought we could last year at the HJ. I had that feeling. I wanted to believe we could last year in the playoffs. I saw a cricket score when it was 12-0 after 8 mins or something- if that. But both times we lost out.

I've got to say, the Longy last minute drop goals were the best!

I hope Lee briers knocks over a field goal to break Saints hearts in the Semi playoffs then nahhh

Re: Pryce going nowhere (as if we hadn't guessed!) : Fri Jan 21, 2011 9:59 am  

If I was Pryce's agent then I would tell him to make big waves about wanting to stay at Saints and the ball is now in the Clubs court.

Then as his agent I would make massive wage demands for his new contract. If the talks broke down I would say that Leon wants to remain a Saint and he has gone on record as saying that and it is the club that are the stumbling block.

Re: Pryce going nowhere (as if we hadn't guessed!) : Fri Jan 21, 2011 10:16 am  

my prediction remains, saints will offer him 2 yrs, bradford will offer him 4, he'll go to bradford, and who could blame a player at this stage of his career