: Sat Oct 10, 2009 11:00 pm  

LovesToSpooge wrote:

The real question for any Saints fan is not are we in decline, because you obviously are, the more prominent question is can you recover from it and how long will it take you to?

How do you know we are in decline? Is that based upon our failure to win silverware? If so, you have mighty high expectations of us! The last time we failed to win silverware was 2003, so it has happened before in Superleague. We may not be in decline. We may bounce back with a newly rejuvenated side next year, who knows? We may not, either. We'll just have to wait and see.

: Sat Oct 10, 2009 11:00 pm  

I was very happy to get in at 8-8 at half time, with what felt like fk all territory.

Don't mean this as a dig, and its obviously something you know, but you are losing legends year after year, Longy gone now, one more year of KC, possibly losing Eastmond too - obviously some salary cap cash is being freed up each year, but to replace the likes of Scully, Long and Kieron who have not only been immense players but part of the fabric of your club is a tough tough ask.

: Sat Oct 10, 2009 11:08 pm  

SaintsFan wrote:

How do you know we are in decline? Is that based upon our failure to win silverware? If so, you have mighty high expectations of us! The last time we failed to win silverware was 2003, so it has happened before in Superleague. We may not be in decline. We may bounce back with a newly rejuvenated side next year, who knows? We may not, either. We'll just have to wait and see.

Not winning a trophy is just one indication of Saints decline. But other indicators are:
- Not finishing top in the regular season for the first time in 5 years.
- Losing more established stars with no obvious replacements.
- No longer bringing in big name players to keep the up the momentum of success.
- No obvious replacements coming through the ranks.
- Playing quite poorly this season at times and particularly towards the end of the season.
- Potter doesn't inspire confidence.
- Stories, from sources close to the dressing room, of unrest in the camp.

I am not saying Saints will become a poor side but they are clearly in decline from the highs of recent years.

: Sat Oct 10, 2009 11:19 pm  

Oh, I forgot - the declining crowds and disinterest amongst the Saints supporters. You see, even they acknowledge the decline.

: Sat Oct 10, 2009 11:21 pm  

The big worry now must be - New stadium, no team!

: Sat Oct 10, 2009 11:23 pm  

St pete wrote:

Every year you lot say we finished and Wigan are on up.

Never going to happen.

I remember kidding myself with that one when we lifted the title in 98, after everyone had written Wigan off when Super League began.

It was a hard fall from the top. I suppose with 1 title in 7 years, you aren't really falling from the "top" though

: Sat Oct 10, 2009 11:28 pm  

nohalfbacks wrote:

Not winning a trophy is just one indication of Saints decline.

We didn't win trophies in 1998, 2001 or 2003 either. Were we in decline then, too?

- Not finishing top in the regular season for the first time in 5 years.

We haven't finished top at other times in the Superleague either, were we in decline then, too?

Losing more established stars with no obvious replacements.

We lost Tommy Martin, Paul Sculthorpe, etc, etc, but we carried on winning trophies. Were we in decline then, too? And who is to say we have no obvious replacements for Longy and Gilly? Did you not see Eastmond tonight? And we do have another second rower on his way.

No longer bringing in big name players to keep the up the momentum of success.

Big name players don't equal success. They can be rubbish in another team. Likewise, no-names can become big names in another team.

No obvious replacements coming through the ranks.

No, of course not.

Playing quite poorly this season at times and particularly towards the end of the season.

Change of coach, slower PTB (when a quick PTB was what we based our game on) and about eight weeks of serious injuries (up to 10 players at one time out injured) also influenced that.

Potter doesn't inspire confidence.

He doesn't with many fans, me included, but how do you know whether he does so with the team?

Stories, from sources close to the dressing room, of unrest in the camp.

Which equals gossip on here and elsewhere, and speculation in the press.

I am not saying Saints will become a poor side but they are clearly in decline from the highs of recent years.

Maybe. Or maybe this is just another 2003. I guess we will all find out in the fullness of time!

: Sat Oct 10, 2009 11:35 pm  

i think next year is simple, and comes down to Kyle Eastmond, sink or swim.

i think the pack is huge, may have a couple extra second rowers inc the dixon, ashurst and warren thompson who has been playing really well in the reserves

potter needs the balls to drop meli / gardner if playing poorly but it comes down to eastmond needs to learn how to really take the team around the park...not like the huddersfeild semi final

next year could still be a good bright year....................i hope

: Sat Oct 10, 2009 11:40 pm  

at the end of the day the roll of honour will still say....
winners 2007,2008,2009......LEEDS
To lose three in a row is something that you will be tarnished with......FOREVER
BYE BYE SAINTS YOUR A SPENT FORCE

: Sat Oct 10, 2009 11:50 pm  

hatty wrote:

at the end of the day the roll of honour will still say....
winners 2007,2008,2009......LEEDS
To lose three in a row is something that you will be tarnished with......FOREVER
BYE BYE SAINTS YOUR A SPENT FORCE

At least we were there though eh