Re: Saints in the cup : Sun Jun 11, 2023 2:50 pm  

Dave K. wrote:

Dwyer has been really disappointing, I can think of good runs, Cas home, Warrington away and Wakey away, costs us much more times. Houghton has been miles better, whilst he won't make a clean break like Dwyer does every 6 games, he makes better choices, makes good scoots, backs up well and can tackle.

His efforts on Hill and Vaughen were outstanding, really tarflgeeting them.

Having a good season, but still think it's time to retire, one season too many, just have to find a suitable replacement.

Think you are being kind when you say Dwyer has been disappointing.
Call a spade a spade.
Houghton is the much better nine and far better when managed correctly with his on field minutes but Smith is slowly doing what others have previously done and starting to play him for 80 minutes.
Cant see the nine positions changing to introduce the likes of Balmforth or Lovodua as Smith seems very dogmatic as we have seen with the continued use of Lane.

Re: Saints in the cup : Sun Jun 11, 2023 7:07 pm  

bonaire wrote:

Think you are being kind when you say Dwyer has been disappointing.
Call a spade a spade.
Houghton is the much better nine and far better when managed correctly with his on field minutes but Smith is slowly doing what others have previously done and starting to play him for 80 minutes.
Cant see the nine positions changing to introduce the likes of Balmforth or Lovodua as Smith seems very dogmatic as we have seen with the continued use of Lane.

Problem I have with Houghton is he's so limited

People bang on about his tackling cause he doesn't do hardly anything else of any note

10 metre scoots when defence is on the backfoot isn't good enough for top level rugby hence why he hasn't played international

Re: Saints in the cup : Sun Jun 11, 2023 7:48 pm  

Thetalentboy wrote:

Problem I have with Houghton is he's so limited

People bang on about his tackling cause he doesn't do hardly anything else of any note

10 metre scoots when defence is on the backfoot isn't good enough for top level rugby hence why he hasn't played international

Give it a rest FFS.

Re: Saints in the cup : Sun Jun 11, 2023 8:42 pm  

Who cares about international. Right now we have our squad. Who offers more… Houghton. So he’s first choice.

Then back up hooker is a contribution of who offers most, who complements houghton best and who offers the the best long term value.

I look at Balmforth and think he could be a Cunningham esque player. Huge frame and offers some go forward. His fitness is an issue but if he’s getting short stints it’s not an issue.

I’m just hoping Keiron and not James

Re: Saints in the cup : Tue Jun 13, 2023 7:02 am  

HULL FC v St Helens - (if one has an imagination.......keep it fertile).
HULL KR v Salford - (a joyous repeat of the 2016 'Million Pound Game' would be delightful, but not feeling it).
Wigan v WARRINGTON (prefer it if they both lost).
York v LEIGH (leopardprint is taking over the world, apparently).

Re: Saints in the cup : Tue Jun 13, 2023 8:09 am  

WIZEB wrote:

HULL FC v St Helens - (if one has an imagination.......keep it fertile).
HULL KR v Salford - (a joyous repeat of the 2016 'Million Pound Game' would be delightful, but not feeling it).
Wigan v WARRINGTON (prefer it if they both lost).
York v LEIGH (leopardprint is taking over the world, apparently).

Unfortunately all away wins.

Re: Saints in the cup : Tue Jun 13, 2023 8:11 am  

Armavinit wrote:

Unfortunately all away wins.

Wouldn't argue with that either.

[Chris71]

Re: Saints in the cup : Tue Jun 13, 2023 8:33 am  

Armavinit wrote:

Unfortunately all away wins.

Yep I'd pretty much concur with that as much as I hope we can turn St's over just think without Clifford its a really big ask. That said TS certainly seems to have taken what was a group of individuals and brought them together as a team so maybe a little adversity may well spur them on to the next round.

Re: Saints in the cup : Tue Jun 13, 2023 8:36 am  

Chris71 wrote:

Yep I'd pretty much concur with that as much as I hope we can turn St's over just think without Clifford its a really big ask. That said TS certainly seems to have taken what was a group of individuals and brought them together as a team so maybe a little adversity may well spur them on to the next round.

Think we have to take a gamble with the spine, play Litten, Hoy and Trueman, could have Mcnamara or Lovodua on the bench instead of Dwyer.

McInhtosh, probably gets another game, as no one else to play there.

Lane or Brown for the last bench spot, if Satae comes back in.

Re: Saints in the cup : Tue Jun 13, 2023 8:56 am  

Dave K. wrote:

Think we have to take a gamble with the spine, play Litten, Hoy and Trueman, could have Mcnamara or Lovodua on the bench instead of Dwyer.

McInhtosh, probably gets another game, as no one else to play there.

Lane or Brown for the last bench spot, if Satae comes back in.

I'd go with what you said and move Hoy into the halves but I think he will probably just put McNamara in at 7 and male as minimal changes as possible.
Be a lot of pressure on Trueman this week but he's starting to find his groove now and been playing some really good stuff.