: Sun Oct 11, 2009 8:17 am  

wereutherein1987? wrote:

your obviously not 30 yet !

Please tell this to Mr.Peacock and Mr.Senior.

Being 30+ doesnt seem to have dented their abilities too much does it.....

: Sun Oct 11, 2009 8:20 am  

St pete wrote:

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.

I agree and whilst i'd take our squad over yours those saying the decline of saints is on are way off the mark.
You are rebuilding no-doubt and the resonsability within the team is changing but IF you are in decline then the rest of the league must be looking to improve 110% because you are still the 2nd best team in the league.

: Sun Oct 11, 2009 8:25 am  

rhinoms wrote:

I agree and whilst i'd take our squad over yours those saying the decline of saints is on are way off the mark.
You are rebuilding no-doubt and the resonsability within the team is changing but IF you are in decline then the rest of the league must be looking to improve 110% because you are still the 2nd best team in the league.

Spot on mate. That's what I'm saying.

It will be Leeds and saints again in 2010 with maybe the wolves there or there abouts.

: Sun Oct 11, 2009 8:50 am  

why the pie-eaters keep coming on here mystifies me..
theyv'e had more coaches than the national express bus company and still won naff all.

: Sun Oct 11, 2009 9:15 am  

It is quite amusing really to see Wigan fans crowing over Saints not winning a trophy, rather than bemoaning the fact that they were beaten in 2 semis! As a Wire fan, I would still be very wary of any Saints team, whoever they are playing.
But, if this crowing helps them through the dark winter nights in King Street, who are we to deny them.

It was close : Sun Oct 11, 2009 9:19 am  

SaintsFan wrote:

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!

There seems to be a lot of understandable anguish on this board. But it was extremely close. As a Leeds fan I thought our disputed try was offside but then again I thought Eastmond's was a knock-on. What I do see from the outside is a club that seems to not be clicking as they once were. If this is your worst year most clubs would take it and be pretty pleased about it.

: Sun Oct 11, 2009 10:12 am  

Saints have had the backbone players of Long, Cunningham, Wellens and Sculthorpe throughout the successful era with equally good supporting players like Martyn, Joynt, Newlove, Albert, Lyon etc. Those good supporting players have been replaced with Wilkin, Pryce, Gidley etc but there haven't been any replacements to the backbone players and that is why when KFC retires that will be it for you men.

Flannery/Clough has replaced Sculthorpe

Eastmond to replace Long (Decent player but has he the character to deal with the pressure of organising/playmaker for a full season?)

Roby/Moore to replace KFC- Both decent players but not the same league as KFC in his prime.

Lomax to replace Wellens - Half decent player he could be a cracker in a few years along with Wheeler but not ready yet.

As with Wigan when we lost backbone players like Farrell, Radlinski, Newton, O'Connor etc we didn't replace them but now are bringing them through in O'Loughlin and Tomkins.

Face facts, a few barron years await for Saints fans I'm afraid.........oh wait no I'm not.

: Sun Oct 11, 2009 10:26 am  

The last two seasons have seen the same prophecies.

The fact is the club needs to think carefully about the direction it's going in, and some decisions need to be made on players who have become fixtures at the club (Gardner, for example: as much as I admire his earnest approach, he is no longer improving and offers nothing beyond tidy close range finishing. Despite this he's taking up an international's wage on our SC).

That said, we are hardly in dire straits. We'll be stronger next year with an actual front row, and with Eastmond providing a lot more zip from first receiver (say what you like about how we'll miss Long ... he's been either injured or rubbish for most of this season). Add to that some power out wide with Soliola and hopefully Puletua out in the second row where he belongs.

The question is whether the likes of Wigan will grow some balls and actually provide a genuine challenge to Saints and Leeds rather than toughing it out with the likes of Wakefield and waxing lyrical about their reserve teams.

: Sun Oct 11, 2009 10:29 am  

Dux wrote:

The last two seasons have seen the same prophecies.

The fact is the club needs to think carefully about the direction it's going in, and some decisions need to be made on players who have become fixtures at the club (Gardner, for example: as much as I admire his earnest approach, he is no longer improving and offers nothing beyond tidy close range finishing. Despite this he's taking up an international's wage on our SC).

That said, we are hardly in dire straits. We'll be stronger next year with an actual front row, and with Eastmond providing a lot more zip from first receiver (say what you like about how we'll miss Long ... he's been either injured or rubbish for most of this season). Add to that some power out wide with Soliola and hopefully Puletua out in the second row where he belongs.

The question is whether the likes of Wigan will grow some balls and actually provide a genuine challenge to Saints and Leeds rather than toughing it out with the likes of Wakefield and waxing lyrical about their reserve teams.

Great post

: Sun Oct 11, 2009 10:32 am  

Transition period. Phase out the old gaurd and bring in the new. Only thing that would have me worried if I were you is if the club decided to go skinny on the funding for the rebuilding part (like bradford have done) and expect to stay good on reputation.

Long is passed it. Eastmond is a much better replacement.
You need a left centre and Gidley only has a season or 2 left.
Meli is a liability.
Pryce will never lead from the front but brings alot to the party in a on form well run team.
Few aged pack members. You need 2 signings to help out graham.

Potter is just the man for the job imo.