Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Mon Sep 30, 2024 12:51 am  

NickyKiss wrote:

In fairness to myself, I always put the stipulation on them being our biggest threat of them having all their players back fit and firing and they didn't have that. Hurrell out, Sironen out, Mybe out and others not looking fully fit. All excuses really but they were always going to need to get to a position of having all those guys and having built up some momentum in the last few weeks of the season. I said last week after Leigh that it looked unlikely that they could end up being that biggest threat to us but their performance level yesterday was well in advance of even where I thought they could get to pre game.

Maybe on my part it's a mental block with them, which refused to let me think they're done for (in the short term). We've had spells in the Superleague era of turning up for derbies knowing they're going to absolutely batter us and they have. We haven't had that, they pretty much always give us a hard game. When a side 'always' makes the play offs, even in their worst seasons, I think that just makes me extremely wary of them and I thought yesterday showed exactly why. Very few clubs could've played as they have this season and then turned up like that yesterday, regardless of the fact they got pipped by a Golden point drop goal.

I'm glad they're out anyway

The 'mental block' is probably what I'm alluding to. I don't really get it but then I've probably been around long enough to know reputations count for very little in the here and now. One of the most successful teams in the Superleague era have, for the last decade, plied their trade in the 1st division, another has spent years trying to get past no longer having their 'Golden Generation' and a third has allowed the sentiment for their 4-peat champions cloud their succession planning. I've purposely included Saints among that group because I think that's where they currently belong. As I no longer fear Bradford (obviously ) or regard Leeds as genuine title contenders, so it is currently with Saints. Reputations are for the history books.

That's not to say all 3, including Bradford, won't have their say again. I'm sure they will. It was just never going to be this year for any of them.

One final point. Had Saints won I could have understood the "I was right not to write them off" stance. That would have made sense. But they lost. That, to me at least, doesn't.

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Mon Sep 30, 2024 8:46 am  

MattyB wrote:

Intriguing game on Friday, Rovers have to be clear favourites with being at home in front of that vociferous crowd.

But you never know.

Both scratch on sky bet any one of them can win.

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Mon Sep 30, 2024 8:57 am  

Some really fair and honest points made.

It was heartbreaking for us on Saturday to lose in that manner but too many errors from experienced professionals costing us. It took Wellens 60 mins and 3 tries conceded down our right side to move Percival over. I saw a stat that said 6 out of our last 7 tries had come down that side and it was blatantly obvious that Matautia is not a centre and Warringtons left edge is their strength

Fans can see it, pundits can see it but seemingly Wellens couldn't until it was too late.

In some ways it would've been easier to have been hammered as most of us expected rather than to lose in GP. I would rather have lost on Saturday though than to have been beaten by Wigan. We wouldn't have beaten Wigan so much like a dog being put down whilst ill, we have been put out of our misery.

In some ways I am relieved that this awful season is over and I can get back to having my weekends not ruined. Unfortunately for my sins I am a Utd fan as well so my misery continues!

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Mon Sep 30, 2024 9:07 am  

Stu M wrote:

Some really fair and honest points made.

It was heartbreaking for us on Saturday to lose in that manner but too many errors from experienced professionals costing us. It took Wellens 60 mins and 3 tries conceded down our right side to move Percival over. I saw a stat that said 6 out of our last 7 tries had come down that side and it was blatantly obvious that Matautia is not a centre and Warringtons left edge is their strength

Fans can see it, pundits can see it but seemingly Wellens couldn't until it was too late.

In some ways it would've been easier to have been hammered as most of us expected rather than to lose in GP. I would rather have lost on Saturday though than to have been beaten by Wigan. We wouldn't have beaten Wigan so much like a dog being put down whilst ill, we have been put out of our misery.

In some ways I am relieved that this awful season is over and I can get back to having my weekends not ruined. Unfortunately for my sins I am a Utd fan as well so my misery continues!

Saints have been absolutely outstanding this season in comparison to that rabble at Old Trafford. That was an absolute disgrace yesterday.

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Mon Sep 30, 2024 9:09 am  

As for 2025 the backline does look better and I personally feel we still have a couple of more signings to announce

However we need 1-2 props as a minimum, maybe a 9 and most definitely a centre.

Walmsley and Lomax are finished and it is criminal that they still have 2 years left on their contracts. Appalling squad management. It was ridiculous that Stephens wasn't on the bench on Saturday and instead Burns played for 10 mins.

A lot is going to depend on the development of the likes of Robertson, Vaughan, Dagnall etc now that they are FT and in a FT strength and conditioning environment. Robertson will undoubtedly come back a stone heavier at least for next season.

We are also hoping that Briers has a good impact on our attack.

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Mon Sep 30, 2024 9:10 am  

NickyKiss wrote:

Saints have been absolutely outstanding this season in comparison to that rabble at Old Trafford. That was an absolute disgrace yesterday.

I said exactly the same to my eldest lad yesterday. I said at least Saints put the effort in on Saturday.

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Mon Sep 30, 2024 9:15 am  

Stu M wrote:

As for 2025 the backline does look better and I personally feel we still have a couple of more signings to announce

However we need 1-2 props as a minimum, maybe a 9 and most definitely a centre.

Walmsley and Lomax are finished and it is criminal that they still have 2 years left on their contracts. Appalling squad management. It was ridiculous that Stephens wasn't on the bench on Saturday and instead Burns played for 10 mins.

A lot is going to depend on the development of the likes of Robertson, Vaughan, Dagnall etc now that they are FT and in a FT strength and conditioning environment. Robertson will undoubtedly come back a stone heavier at least for next season.

We are also hoping that Briers has a good impact on our attack.

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the 17 and Stephens wasn't in it. Only last week, he was the only Saints prop who made inroads in to Leigh and that was a Leigh side defending for their lives. I think you can likely add Paasi to the 'he's done' list going off this season. He looks like he'll need a big pre season to bounce back.

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Mon Sep 30, 2024 9:19 am  

NickyKiss wrote:

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the 17 and Stephens wasn't in it. Only last week, he was the only Saints prop who made inroads in to Leigh and that was a Leigh side defending for their lives. I think you can likely add Paasi to the 'he's done' list going off this season. He looks like he'll need a big pre season to bounce back.

Spot on. The issue with Stephens is that he runs out of gas really quickly but x2 10 mins spells would've been ideal. You'd expect him to improve his fitness more and more as he is FT. He is a real prospect for sure.

I'm willing to give Paasi the benefit off the doubt and I think he needs a good pre-season. He was rushed back in many ways due to our injuries and he's never looked right.

That said him warming up in a hoodie with the hood up like it was -5 degrees doesn't exactly set a good tone.

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Mon Sep 30, 2024 10:44 am  

Stu M wrote:

As for 2025 the backline does look better and I personally feel we still have a couple of more signings to announce

However we need 1-2 props as a minimum, maybe a 9 and most definitely a centre.



Walmsley and Lomax are finished and it is criminal that they still have 2 years left on their contracts. Appalling squad management. It was ridiculous that Stephens wasn't on the bench on Saturday and instead Burns played for 10 mins.

A lot is going to depend on the development of the likes of Robertson, Vaughan, Dagnall etc now that they are FT and in a FT strength and conditioning environment. Robertson will undoubtedly come back a stone heavier at least for next season.

We are also hoping that Briers has a good impact on our attack.

I think the challenge is finding props at the right price. I've been commenting on the Leeds forum too, and they reckon they need 3-4 props with Oledski, and seem happy to get rid of the rest, maybe keep 1 of them as 6th choice

so if you and Leeds are both in the market for props, and there aint many around, then its a good time to be one, as its likely they'll be getting decent money thrown at them

i know many fans including our own were laughing last year, when we signed a prop every week but it has proven to have been very shrewd business so far, as we've seen out injuries and suspensions and been competitive most weeks, and we've got 2 project signings in Eseh and Chan to add to our rotation, hopefully after a good pre-season

Re: Wigan v Sts discussion - THIS THREAD ONLY PLEASE : Mon Sep 30, 2024 10:50 am  

Mark_P1973 wrote:

I think the challenge is finding props at the right price. I've been commenting on the Leeds forum too, and they reckon they need 3-4 props with Oledski, and seem happy to get rid of the rest, maybe keep 1 of them as 6th choice

so if you and Leeds are both in the market for props, and there aint many around, then its a good time to be one, as its likely they'll be getting decent money thrown at them

i know many fans including our own were laughing last year, when we signed a prop every week but it has proven to have been very shrewd business so far, as we've seen out injuries and suspensions and been competitive most weeks, and we've got 2 project signings in Eseh and Chan to add to our rotation, hopefully after a good pre-season

It was extremely shrewd business by Wigan but then to be fair their succession planning has been on point for a couple of years now which is why they are the top dogs.

Personally I'd take Chris Hill for 12 months. His experience would be invaluable in bringing on the likes of Delaney and Stephens. I still think there's a player in Delaney, just needs a bit more size.