Re: Saints (a) : Sat Jun 10, 2023 8:22 pm  

Lester Bangs wrote:

Rads actually said at the time that the signings of Mago and Ellis were expressly for this reason.

Ellis is decent, puts in a shift but Mago is just Feka mk2 - in the second half against Saints he was so slow in the defensive line (turns like a supertanker) that he was pretty much a passenger, size isn't everything. We do need size but not at the cost of anything else - we desperately need at least one experienced heavyweight prop plus perhaps a decent impact prop, Saints have a good impact prop off the bench we don't.

Re: Saints (a) : Sat Jun 10, 2023 9:14 pm  

exiled Warrior wrote:

Ellis is decent, puts in a shift but Mago is just Feka mk2 - in the second half against Saints he was so slow in the defensive line (turns like a supertanker) that he was pretty much a passenger, size isn't everything. We do need size but not at the cost of anything else - we desperately need at least one experienced heavyweight prop plus perhaps a decent impact prop, Saints have a good impact prop off the bench we don't.

I wasn't giving my opinion on the 2 players. I was merely pointing out, in response to the previous poster, that the issue of the pack size was mentioned as a reason for their signings. I think we all agree that Mago hasn't worked out. Ellis I like, and I'd like to see him stay. I'm reasonably confident we'll get 2 more "middles" as well as Walters.

Re: Saints (a) : Sat Jun 10, 2023 9:19 pm  

exiled Warrior wrote:

Ellis is decent, puts in a shift but Mago is just Feka mk2 - in the second half against Saints he was so slow in the defensive line (turns like a supertanker) that he was pretty much a passenger, size isn't everything. We do need size but not at the cost of anything else - we desperately need at least one experienced heavyweight prop plus perhaps a decent impact prop, Saints have a good impact prop off the bench we don't.

I would definitely take the 06/07 version of Feka over Patrick Mago.

Re: Saints (a) : Sat Jun 10, 2023 10:13 pm  

Egg Chasing wrote:

No different to the "our seasons over" talk in June.

We'll get some bodies back and we'll be tough to beat again. A bit like how Saints were losing games but are now winning them again. Amazing what happens when your best players are fit and able to play.

Except you won’t be tough to beat again because you never were. You are mid table for a reason. Your recruitment is woeful and has been for a number of years

Re: Saints (a) : Sat Jun 10, 2023 10:18 pm  

TheWarringtonWolve69 wrote:

Except you won’t be tough to beat again because you never were. You are mid table for a reason. Your recruitment is woeful and has been for a number of years

If that is a fact can you explain how the mighty Saints came unstuck at the DW and in last season’s Challenge Cup semifinal?

By the way, I agree with you about our recruitment apart from Field and French.

Re: Saints (a) : Sat Jun 10, 2023 10:24 pm  

MadDogg wrote:

I would definitely take the 06/07 version of Feka over Patrick Mago.

Never rated Feka.
Not fit and probably never was during his career. Wind and bluster for 5 minutes then the opposition could forget about him.
Mago adds nothing to the squad. Another “impact” prop. No aggression and no fitness. Again probably never been fit during his career. A big lad who probably bullied his way through schoolboy rugby.
Players like this only get game time due excessive interchanges and shortsighted coaches.

Re: Saints (a) : Sat Jun 10, 2023 10:26 pm  

Itchy Arsenal wrote:

Never rated Feka.
Not fit and probably never was during his career. Wind and bluster for 5 minutes then the opposition could forget about him.
Mago adds nothing to the squad. Another “impact” prop. No aggression and no fitness. Again probably never been fit during his career. A big lad who probably bullied his way through schoolboy rugby.
Players like this only get game time due excessive interchanges and shortsighted coaches.

I agree - but he gave us 5 minutes more than Mago.is giving us currently.

Re: Saints (a) : Sat Jun 10, 2023 10:28 pm  

Egg Chasing wrote:

He's right though and everyone knows it.

We have a 'weak' pack as it is and losing 4 or 5 of them makes it worse.

Cooper replaces Mago.
Isa replaces Shorrocks
Havard replaces Hill.

We’ve got 3 regulars missing. Who are the other 2??

Re: Saints (a) : Sat Jun 10, 2023 10:33 pm  

MadDogg wrote:

I agree - but he gave us 5 minutes more than Mago.is giving us currently.

Mago’s only attribute is his offload which I suspect he’s been told to stop doing.
Feka’s only attribute was 5 minutes of huff and puff.
Both not worthy of a jersey. Both not fit enough to play professionally. You’ve got to blame coaches for accommodating them.
I dislike “impact” players. If your good enough you start and you can play 80 minutes.

Re: Saints (a) : Sun Jun 11, 2023 1:53 am  

Itchy Arsenal wrote:

Cooper replaces Mago.
Isa replaces Shorrocks
Havard replaces Hill.

We’ve got 3 regulars missing. Who are the other 2??

KPP either starting or on the bench would be one. Bateman (going into the season at least) would be another. I think perhaps more importantly than just the numbers out is it severely affects the ability for proper rotation. Mago and Hill are playing very short minutes which is upping the workload on the other front rowers. Havard replaces Hill is a supreme example of this. Havard is a 60 minute 100+ metre per game prop. Hill isn't (at least not yet).