Re: George Riley of the BBC blogs about Saints : Fri Mar 16, 2012 10:28 am  

Saddened! wrote:

I really can't see that. If we lose the next four games, the reaction from the supporters will force their hand surely?

In the era of top 8 playoffs and no relegation, sacking coaches on the basis of their performance just doesn't make financial sense anymore, especially when they are in the last year of their contract. In fact, I can't remembember when it last happened. I can't see Eammon digging in his pocket to pay Royce off after all the other expenses he's had to deal with over the last few years.

If things don't pick up (and personally I can't see the situation staying as poor as it currently is) then fan pressure will undoubtedly rise, but I still think it would take a resignation from Royce for any change to happen mid-season. I do think Royce will have to pull off something spectacular to win a new contract, however.

Re: George Riley of the BBC blogs about Saints : Fri Mar 16, 2012 11:13 am  

Saddened! wrote:

I really can't see that. If we lose the next four games, the reaction from the supporters will force their hand surely?

if we lose the next 3 games, the pressure will be on to do something before Good Friday. Wigan sacked Millward the week before Good Friday, because another 75-0 was on the cards.

Re: George Riley of the BBC blogs about Saints : Fri Mar 16, 2012 11:22 am  

EHW wrote:

if we lose the next 3 games, the pressure will be on to do something before Good Friday. Wigan sacked Millward the week before Good Friday, because another 75-0 was on the cards.

But Wigan were heading straight for relegation at the time. It made financial sense to get a new coach in and turn things around. No Super League club now faces that threat, and let's face it, we're unlikely to miss out on the top eight either.

Re: George Riley of the BBC blogs about Saints : Fri Mar 16, 2012 11:22 am  

If we lose 75-0 on Good Friday I'll resign!

Re: George Riley of the BBC blogs about Saints : Fri Mar 16, 2012 3:08 pm  

Dux wrote:

let's face it, we're unlikely to miss out on the top eight either.

what makes you so confident? we are 9th after a quarter of the season, without having played any of the Big 3 yet. We have still to play Wigan 3 times, Wire and Leeds twice, i.e. 7 out of remaining 21 games against teams we are very unlikely to win against. At the moment it is hard to be confident in our ability to get into the top8, never mind the top 4 where any success in the GF traditionally comes from.

Re: George Riley of the BBC blogs about Saints : Fri Mar 16, 2012 4:07 pm  

I'm expecting a reaction from the players this week, I have more concerns this week about Royce than I did last week, but mostly that's down to hear say. In terms of the playing roster there is enough quality out there to do damage, whether Royce can do what is needed, well I hope he can, but have less expectation of it than previously.

As for removing the coach, it could be done without cash payoffs, but would be very difficult to do, without a discipline matter.

Re: George Riley of the BBC blogs about Saints : Fri Mar 16, 2012 5:22 pm  

EHW wrote:

what makes you so confident? we are 9th after a quarter of the season, without having played any of the Big 3 yet. We have still to play Wigan 3 times, Wire and Leeds twice, i.e. 7 out of remaining 21 games against teams we are very unlikely to win against. At the moment it is hard to be confident in our ability to get into the top8, never mind the top 4 where any success in the GF traditionally comes from.

Well I'm pretty confident we'll be in the top 8. Wasn't hard for me to think that either.

Re: George Riley of the BBC blogs about Saints : Fri Mar 16, 2012 6:31 pm  

EHW wrote:

what makes you so confident? we are 9th after a quarter of the season, without having played any of the Big 3 yet. We have still to play Wigan 3 times, Wire and Leeds twice, i.e. 7 out of remaining 21 games against teams we are very unlikely to win against. At the moment it is hard to be confident in our ability to get into the top8, never mind the top 4 where any success in the GF traditionally comes from.

Jesus, talk about over-reacting.

Re: George Riley of the BBC blogs about Saints : Fri Mar 16, 2012 7:58 pm  

Longy has it spot on , Scully is towing the party line because he is an employee of the club, cant blame him really. I think he has the confidence thing right though.

Re: George Riley of the BBC blogs about Saints : Fri Mar 16, 2012 8:30 pm  

Everyone mentions the fact we lost to Catalans in the last minute, but I am not bothered about that. I am much more worried by the fact we let a sizeable lead slip in 20 minutes. That's the criminal part for me, not the last minute loss.