Re: Predictions - Saints v Wigan : Mon Jul 22, 2013 10:15 am  

The Yellow Giraffe wrote:

By taken a battering do you mean pointing out Wigan's lack of silverware and everyone crying about it? Nice one.
So you're honestly saying that he was picked purely to man mark Cunningham?

To be honest I don’t think he was I think it was more that you did get a fair mauling about some things you came out with, and IMO it was fair. I think KC was a super player, but an even better figure-head and leader. MM is also a super player with a lot more to prove, but for me is not a born leader, or icon. JR is just a fantastic player, no doubt of it and I can’t think of a single flaw in his normal game, he is truly world class, and if any one thing could swing it against Saints tonight, it’s his absence.

Re: Predictions - Saints v Wigan : Mon Jul 22, 2013 10:26 am  

Surely Lance is on his way out ?

Re: Predictions - Saints v Wigan : Mon Jul 22, 2013 11:20 am  

XBrettKennyX wrote:

That said I think you will raise your game in the first 20 of each half. We will rest Lockers and Sam and taking all this into account the scores will be a lost closer than many think

it will be the first time this season the pack have raised their game in the first 20. In most of our recent games we have gone behind early on, Cas did but couldnt pull away from us.

Hull KR, Leeds, Warrington, Huddersfield all have gone 16+ points ahead of us in the first 20mins in recent weeks, and it will be the same tonight.

Re: Predictions - Saints v Wigan : Mon Jul 22, 2013 11:27 am  

EHW wrote:

it will be the first time this season the pack have raised their game in the first 20. In most of our recent games we have gone behind early on, Cas did but couldnt pull away from us.

Hull KR, Leeds, Warrington, Huddersfield all have gone 16+ points ahead of us in the first 20mins in recent weeks, and it will be the same tonight.

If we capitulate against this Wigan side, Brown has to go. Wigan aren't good enough without Tomkins to be anything more than solid. If we can't cope with that I'll be very disappointed.

Seeing Wigan grind out a win by 6-12 points I could live with, they are good defensively and well organised in attack and will no doubt be more committed than we are. But there is no way they should be able to put any sort of score on us.

Re: Predictions - Saints v Wigan : Mon Jul 22, 2013 11:40 am  

Saddened! wrote:

If we capitulate against this Wigan side, Brown has to go. Wigan aren't good enough without Tomkins to be anything more than solid. If we can't cope with that I'll be very disappointed.

Seeing Wigan grind out a win by 6-12 points I could live with, they are good defensively and well organised in attack and will no doubt be more committed than we are. But there is no way they should be able to put any sort of score on us.

we have no go forward or aggression in the team that has been suggested will play. Laffranchi and Puletua are powder-puff and wont make any decent yards, Manu cant be relied on to keep hold of the ball.

I cant see anything other than a 20 point defeat, with Wigan taking the pressure off in the last 20 and we will score a couple of late tries.

Re: Predictions - Saints v Wigan : Mon Jul 22, 2013 11:54 am  

I actually think well win tonight. I haven't had an accident or banged my head either.

Re: Predictions - Saints v Wigan : Mon Jul 22, 2013 12:17 pm  

Saddened! wrote:

If we capitulate against this Wigan side, Brown has to go. Wigan aren't good enough without Tomkins to be anything more than solid. If we can't cope with that I'll be very disappointed.

I have to agree. I'd be very disappointed if we even lose

Re: Predictions - Saints v Wigan : Mon Jul 22, 2013 12:52 pm  

When you look at our pack, it no longer makes you think a pack with aggression and strength.

Too many players for me filling the 4th/5th prop. The good ones are the impact props

11. Tony Puletua (can show glimpses but best years behind)
36. Stuart Howarth (very slow distribution, not a starter for mine)
14. Anthony Laffranchi (long discussed, but a 2nd rower really or a 4th /5th prop)
19. Josh Jones (the fact he is not in the backs, shows we are short)
13. Willie Manu (very good, but can spill early ball in a game and it's over before it starts)
10. LMS (Better at loose, but can be a penalty machine, another 4th prop)


16. Paul Clough (good enough for a 4th or 5th prop)
24. Joe Greenwood (his debut year, has held his own but another 4th or 5th choice)
25. Alex Walmsley (our best prop going forwards)


When I look at that I would seriously only start with Puletua, under normal circumstances. The rest would be from the bench, if that.

Re: Predictions - Saints v Wigan : Mon Jul 22, 2013 1:02 pm  

I fancy us tonight, probably my foolish optimism, but I'm not dreading it like I usually do with Saints/Wigan games.

Re: Predictions - Saints v Wigan : Mon Jul 22, 2013 1:07 pm  

All I can say is that it's a shame that this match will be a shadow of what it could've been. Between 2 rounds of the Challenge Cup (really, what were the odds neither team would make it that far?) and with the best 2-3 players absent from each team.