Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Sun Jul 07, 2024 11:12 am  

Stu M wrote:

Agreed. Some mature posts overall. It’s clear that whilst Wigan fans will naturally enjoy our decline, lots on here realise that a strong SL needs a strong Saints just as it does a strong Wigan, Leeds and a Warrington.

Just 2 years ago I was going into every game against Wigan confident of winning. Now I’m dreading next week and hoping for at least a decent performance and avoiding a heavy defeat.

We know sport is cyclical and our time has come to an end for now but it’s at least refreshing to see some posters on here reacting maturely and not sticking the boot in too much.

When was the last time Wigan absolutely pumped Saints in a match? The only one that sticks in my mind is the Magic Etihad game, if there's been a more recent one I've forgotten it.

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Sun Jul 07, 2024 11:44 am  

MattyB wrote:

When was the last time Wigan absolutely pumped Saints in a match? The only one that sticks in my mind is the Magic Etihad game, if there's been a more recent one I've forgotten it.

There was the season Ben Barba was at Saints and he packed his bags when he got a NRL deal, Gildart went round him like he was a dustbin, that was probably the last time we never had to break sweat to beat them.
I just hope Saints don't do what Wire did prior to the cup final and play a load of kids, that was horrible for us.

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Sun Jul 07, 2024 2:25 pm  

Stu M wrote:

Agreed. Some mature posts overall. It’s clear that whilst Wigan fans will naturally enjoy our decline, lots on here realise that a strong SL needs a strong Saints just as it does a strong Wigan, Leeds and a Warrington.

Just 2 years ago I was going into every game against Wigan confident of winning. Now I’m dreading next week and hoping for at least a decent performance and avoiding a heavy defeat.

We know sport is cyclical and our time has come to an end for now but it’s at least refreshing to see some posters on here reacting maturely and not sticking the boot in too much.

Any of the 9 missing from Friday expected back this week?

As has been pointed out Saints never really get hammered by Wigan but if it’s Fridays team I feel they will.

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Sun Jul 07, 2024 2:40 pm  

NSW wrote:

Saints have just come to end of their cycle.

They have a great run and made the most of it winning the GFs.

A lot of their best players have got old, injury prone etc.

They’ll still be competitive but they’ll be in transition for a couple of years (as we were under Lam)

But the issue is who is responsible for it happening?

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Sun Jul 07, 2024 2:45 pm  

Stu M wrote:

Agreed. Some mature posts overall. It’s clear that whilst Wigan fans will naturally enjoy our decline, lots on here realise that a strong SL needs a strong Saints just as it does a strong Wigan, Leeds and a Warrington.

Just 2 years ago I was going into every game against Wigan confident of winning. Now I’m dreading next week and hoping for at least a decent performance and avoiding a heavy defeat.

We know sport is cyclical and our time has come to an end for now but it’s at least refreshing to see some posters on here reacting maturely and not sticking the boot in too much.

It is cyclical Stu but the period of success can be far longer if the correct decisions are made by those in authority at the club. Man Utd under Ferguson and Wigan in the 80’s and 90’s are prime examples. However, in order to extend a period of success the people in charge need to be ruthless.

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Sun Jul 07, 2024 2:59 pm  

NSW wrote:

Any of the 9 missing from Friday expected back this week?

As has been pointed out Saints never really get hammered by Wigan but if it’s Fridays team I feel they will.

Seems like Clarke, Hurrell, Knowles and Matautia will be.

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Sun Jul 07, 2024 8:32 pm  

Stu M wrote:

Seems like Clarke, Hurrell, Knowles and Matautia will be.

I think a calculated gamble was made by Saints with regard to their team selection against Cas and it backfired. I expect a good few to be available this week.

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Sun Jul 07, 2024 9:22 pm  

I'm not going to bag Saints for giving Wellens a crack. You could be ultra critical and say they should have learned from KC that giving a completely untested coach a top job first is a very big risk, but the word around the place and from people like Holbrook and Woolfe was that Wellens is the opposite of KC, very tactically minded and very smart about the game etc. I wasn't overly enthused at the appointment, but I didn't see it as a terrible decision. Giving a young British coach a go and someone well thought of, I think we all hoped he'd do well.

But if the rumours are true about them offering him a 2 year extension then it beggars belief. I cannot, for the life of me, see what they've seen over the last 2 years that's made them think yep, this guy is a great fit and he can lead us to success. Absolutely crazy decision that smacks of cost cutting. I'm 100% sure they thought it was a decision they could just about get away with, rather than would be met with enthusiasm. Well the performances of the last few weeks, coupled with our fixture list over the next month have completely buggered that thought. They'll be absolutely slaughtered if they announce that now.

I was never going to advocate sacking him, and I still don't think they should sack him before the end of the season as I don't think it would make a difference to this year anyway, and would just desecrate his legacy as a player. But his contract should have been let to expire with the agreement that it hasn't really worked out and he won't be offered another, maybe even a return to being the assistant coach as he seems to do well there. As it is, I just can't see how this doesn't end badly from here.

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Sun Jul 07, 2024 9:22 pm  

I'm not going to bag Saints for giving Wellens a crack. You could be ultra critical and say they should have learned from KC that giving a completely untested coach a top job first is a very big risk, but the word around the place and from people like Holbrook and Woolfe was that Wellens is the opposite of KC, very tactically minded and very smart about the game etc. I wasn't overly enthused at the appointment, but I didn't see it as a terrible decision. Giving a young British coach a go and someone well thought of, I think we all hoped he'd do well.

But if the rumours are true about them offering him a 2 year extension then it beggars belief. I cannot, for the life of me, see what they've seen over the last 2 years that's made them think yep, this guy is a great fit and he can lead us to success. Absolutely crazy decision that smacks of cost cutting. I'm 100% sure they thought it was a decision they could just about get away with, rather than would be met with enthusiasm. Well the performances of the last few weeks, coupled with our fixture list over the next month have completely buggered that thought. They'll be absolutely slaughtered if they announce that now.

I was never going to advocate sacking him, and I still don't think they should sack him before the end of the season as I don't think it would make a difference to this year anyway, and would just desecrate his legacy as a player. But his contract should have been let to expire with the agreement that it hasn't really worked out and he won't be offered another, maybe even a return to being the assistant coach as he seems to do well there. As it is, I just can't see how this doesn't end badly from here.

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Sun Jul 07, 2024 9:23 pm  

I'm not going to bag Saints for giving Wellens a crack. You could be ultra critical and say they should have learned from KC that giving a completely untested coach a top job first is a very big risk, but the word around the place and from people like Holbrook and Woolfe was that Wellens is the opposite of KC, very tactically minded and very smart about the game etc. I wasn't overly enthused at the appointment, but I didn't see it as a terrible decision. Giving a young British coach a go and someone well thought of, I think we all hoped he'd do well.

But if the rumours are true about them offering him a 2 year extension then it beggars belief. I cannot, for the life of me, see what they've seen over the last 2 years that's made them think yep, this guy is a great fit and he can lead us to success. Absolutely crazy decision that smacks of cost cutting. I'm 100% sure they thought it was a decision they could just about get away with, rather than would be met with enthusiasm. Well the performances of the last few weeks, coupled with our fixture list over the next month have completely buggered that thought. They'll be absolutely slaughtered if they announce that now.

I was never going to advocate sacking him, and I still don't think they should sack him before the end of the season as I don't think it would make a difference to this year anyway, and would just desecrate his legacy as a player. But his contract should have been let to expire with the agreement that it hasn't really worked out and he won't be offered another, maybe even a return to being the assistant coach as he seems to do well there. As it is, I just can't see how this doesn't end badly from here.