: Sun Oct 11, 2009 12:04 am  

SaintsFan wrote:

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

You won the Challlenge Cup in 2001, shame a Wigan fan has to remind you

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

No, you were in ascent.

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.

But then you had a squad of brilliantly talented players at their peak, not fading 30-somethings and kids coming through who get pasted by Wigan.

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.

Sh*t happens!!

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

We sure will

: Sun Oct 11, 2009 12:08 am  

Tony Stark wrote:

At least we were there though eh

I know but losing 3 in a row is a terrible legacy.

When you look at the record books and see

Winners: leeds runners up: saints
Winners: leeds runners up: saints
Winners: leeds runners up: saints

It just reeks of leeds ownage.

Winning 3 on the trot is unprecedented.......but so is losing 3 on the trot!

The recent saints team has been a very good team but it will be remembered as that team who were leeds b*tches in the grand final for a few years.

In a similiar way the early sl era bulls team is remembered as the 'anyone but saints' team.

: Sun Oct 11, 2009 12:18 am  

read in the programme thats 5/2 for a saints leeds final next year, bet you can get good money on leeds turning us over again.



i really hate leeds

: Sun Oct 11, 2009 1:21 am  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

Seven players in the first team squad over the age of 30 next season, it's not rocket science.

The "superb young players" who are going to replace them getting battered by Wigan reserves for the last two seasons.

I rest my case.

Pity you don't rest it in your mouth.
Can't you just go and play with your pie eating friends (sorry forgot you don't have any apart from jonh - in whatever re-incarnation and that buffoon fistula) and stop spouting this ugly mixture of spite and jealousy?

Get a fecking life.

: Sun Oct 11, 2009 2:26 am  

Whilst i far from think it's the decline of Saints, and I was genuinely upset for you guys tonight (some of my best mates at work are Saints fans), I think Rogues's reaction is maybe just a small reflection of some of the patronising childish crap that's been posted by a small minority of your fans on our board for the past few years - you only need to look at the antics of your south park flavoured friend on pretty much every other board going just as an example.

I'm not condoning it, as personally I think we're all RL fans and shouldn't be looking to point score.

Super League needs all the teams to be growing stronger, and I think this is just a blip for Saints (I can't envisage a long term decline). It will be hard to replace KC, Long, Gilmour, Wellens etc, but you'll get through it.

: Sun Oct 11, 2009 3:07 am  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

We've won more than you this season.

We battered your second team that included Ellis, Wheeler, Dean, Ashurst, Lomax and Dixon.
Your U18's didn't even make the play offs..


It's o.k. you've signed a 33 year old prop who you shipped out as he couldn't get a place and another hooker when you've already got two (both who were cr@p tonight)

Saints heading South. The only team to lose three Grand finals in a row some record.

Brian , you have not won more than the mighty Wire though. Now the North West 's premier club

: Sun Oct 11, 2009 5:23 am  

wereutherein1987? wrote:

Have a strong coffee and look at your ins and outs.


you will not be as strong next season, end.

Look at your INS and outs.

You ain't even got a real coach.

: Sun Oct 11, 2009 5:31 am  

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

If were a spent force then it doesn't say much for Wigan or the rest of super league.

The game last night could have gone either way and even Leeds will say the is nothing between us.

Just check the odds for next year. Even Warrington are above Wigan with the bookies.

Wigan have huge problems as squad is rubbish. Look at your starting pack in the semis when we knocked you out.

: Sun Oct 11, 2009 7:57 am  

Orrell Lad wrote:

You won the Challlenge Cup in 2001, shame a Wigan fan has to remind you

Did we? Oh. We have won so much silverware over the last 10 years I've clearly got mixed up.

No, you were in ascent.

That makes no sense in relation to silverware won and lost. Warrington could hardly be said to have been in the ascendency this season - they are the same team as last season and a number of seasons before! - yet they won silverware this year.

But then you had a squad of brilliantly talented players at their peak, not fading 30-somethings and kids coming through who get pasted by Wigan.

We do have some fading 30 somethings although we are getting rid of them in twos. But that doesn't mean that what we are replacing them with will not perform well next season. In fact, they could actually be the breath of fresh air we need. Kyle Eastmond certainly is!

Sh*t happens!!

Indeed. But of all teams in the league it was us who built our play on a speedy PTB. We weren't expecting the change and adapting to it, with a team who has been playing a certain way for years, has proven difficult.

We sure will

Indeed. Interesting times ahead.

: Sun Oct 11, 2009 7:58 am  

St pete wrote:

The game last night could have gone either way and even Leeds will say the is nothing between us.

Indeed. Sinfield would never have opted for that drop goal so early in the second half had the team and the coach not thought the task a tough one. An early drop goal is always a sign that a team knows it is on the rack and needs every point. It's just a pity a couple of our players - Meli and Cunningham in particular - couldn't have borne that in mind themselves when they were gifting points to the opposition!