Re: Team for Saints (CC) : Sun May 08, 2022 5:44 am  

I'm probably going to get shot down for this.... but I'm inclined to agree with some comments with regards to Field. Don't get me wrong, I don't think he's average and I love watching him play and he's an absolute weapon - but when not given an inch, his threat is nullified by good defence and good marking.

He isn't the best passer. Even against Salford, he bombed two tries with poor passes out wide, so it was a good job he went almost the full length to win it.

Defensively, he's great in open play when a team is on a break because of his pace - he manages to force them on the outside to take them into touch, but as a last man on the line, he's often out of position or just gets bumped off which becomes a problem in the closer games.

That being said, he's still young and I believe he's still learning the full back position. I still find him exciting to watch and I'm glad that we have him for a couple more seasons, but he does have weaknesses and areas for improvement.

Re: Team for Saints (CC) : Sun May 08, 2022 5:49 am  

NSW wrote:

Red vee meltdown is superb reading.

We’re bang average and they beat themselves.

Also they seem very very touchy about Field potentially being Man of Steel.

Bang average as is French.

They're an absolute joke. I hate St.Helens but I have a life so don't let it fester. They are obsessed with their hated. What sad lives they must lead.

Re: Team for Saints (CC) : Sun May 08, 2022 6:48 am  

I don't understand the criticism of Field if he doesn't destroy a team on his own.

There were quite a few big involvement from him which were pivotal to us scoring or not conceding.

His 1:1 tackle on Hurrell in the 1st half 3 yards from our line - how many other FB's would pull that off? I've seen him make more than his share of 1:1 tackles and never seen him embarrassed like some other supposed top FBs have.

His pass to French where he broke down the right led directly to Farrell's try next play as Saints were scrambled in defence .

A team like Saints are always going to pressure you because that's what they do for the full 80 and they are the best kick chase and challenging team in the game. I can't see many FBs taking all those kicks on their own line when there are so many players challenging for the ball.

One and probably only criticism I would have as a team is that we didn't get Field attacking Hurrell on the outside. He was always jamming in and there was so much room on his outside .

Re: Team for Saints (CC) : Sun May 08, 2022 6:52 am  

Big Steve wrote:

One and probably only criticism I would have as a team is that we didn't get Field attacking Hurrell on the outside. He was always jamming in and there was so much room on his outside .

I was surprised we didn't target Makinson in the first half when he was limping. I think we had mabye 3 sets or so when he was clearly struggling and kept going to the right instead.

Re: Team for Saints (CC) : Sun May 08, 2022 7:16 am  

Just re watching the game again now.

Field makes a try saving 1:1 against Lussick on the 62nd minute when he was clean through. That would have been game over.

Re: Team for Saints (CC) : Sun May 08, 2022 7:52 am  

I thought overall Field had a good game. He’s not going to score 60m tries every week.

I’m sure he’d be the first to admit there are improvements to be made, there isn’t a player on the planet that can’t improve.

What some people need to realise is St Helens will have worked on and executed a plan to try an nullify his threat as they are acutely aware of the danger he poses. By doing that space is created for others to exploit. It’s a team game.

What please me most about Field was his defensive efforts, particularly the tackle of Hurrell, that was bravery and commitment against a bloke twice his size. I don’t have an issue with the dropped bombs, I’d put that down to excellent kick chase pressure, certainly not an unforced error.

Re: Team for Saints (CC) : Sun May 08, 2022 7:56 am  

thesaint62 wrote:

No doubt the best team won today question is can you play to that level every week? I've no doubt you'll win the final though.

Well my friend you cant thats for sure

Re: Team for Saints (CC) : Sun May 08, 2022 8:03 am  

A few random thoughts the morning after:

Harry Smith's best kicking performance in a long while - crucial to winning the game and something Leuluai would not be able to provide. Cust provided a great running threat and his passion and competitiveness was fantastic to see.

Morgan Smithies absolutely outstanding and outshone Morgan Knowles on the day.

Why did the hooter go off late at the end of both halves?

French in 2020 would have scored the try easily on his break - the lack of preseason has knocked a yard of pace off him.

Saints were nowhere near their best but how much better would we be if we cut down the cheap ball and territory we handed them? Still too many simple handling errors and I'm not sure what went on with all the offside penalties.

Massive psychological boost for the team - would have been tough to take to let that lead slip. Huddersfield will be very hard to beat at Tottenham.

Re: Team for Saints (CC) : Sun May 08, 2022 8:34 am  

Field is a threat, and a potent one..... And players like him create space for others around him, as the defense closes to nullify his threat....

Re: Team for Saints (CC) : Sun May 08, 2022 8:51 am  

MadDogg wrote:

Saints were nowhere near their best but how much better would we be if we cut down the cheap ball and territory we handed them? Still too many simple handling errors and I'm not sure what went on with all the offside penalties.

I've been berated on here in the past for calling out referees for their incompetence.

That's still what I think it is. Plain unprofessionalism. I don't genuinely believe any referees are actually so biased that they'd try to influence an outcome.

But yesterday was odd. A couple of times I heard the ref warning Saints that they were standing offside, but in Wigan's case he just blew the whistle. And each time, it was when a decent Harry Smith kick had pinned them right back.

I'm sorry, but that's dodgy.