the best 17

1 Paul wellens
2 Darren Albert
3 Jamie Lyon
4 Paul Newlove
5 Anthony Sullivan
20 Tommy Martyn
7 Bobbie Goulding
8 Apollo Perelini
9 Keiron Cunningham
10 David Fairleigh
11 Chris Joynt
12 Paul Sculthorpe
13 John Wilkin

14 Sean Long
15 Derek Mcvey
16 James Graham
17 James Roby

On his day, bobby was masterful. The following statement is not meant to take anything away from that.

The first season he joined (94-95) and the nary season, bobby was imperious and oozed class (international class even?). Despite winning the league in '96, Bobby's form wasn't [iquite[/i as high (still impressive), but Tommy's come back (and Karl Hammond's reletively good form) through the season took pressure off.

'97 rolled around, Bobby was sent off in the Wigan clash and handed and 8(?) match ban. Its interesting to remember that before this game he'd requested a transfer, which he retracted following the red card. Tommy Martyn (not Lee Briers) then guided us to Wembley.

After that, Bobby's input was less than awesome.

Does anyone remember the evening game at Headingly when we lost by 1 point? We'd scored, not far from the posts but Goulding hit the post with the converstion. Now, does anyone remeber Long slotting one from the touchline at OT in '99

So here are my analysis of the players as I see it.

Goulding. Made for the job, his cockyness and enthusiasm help make him everything you wanted in your 7, but unfortunately, he couldn't quite keep control of his demons and they got the better of him.
He did however, always play with a smile on his face, and [imade[/i you enjoy watching him.

Long. As a youngster his game was based on pace, swerve and little more. He's overcome 3(?) serious knee injuries to claim the LT 3 times. His technical game has developed enormously, especially since DA got the coaching job.
If Goulding had Long's mental resiliance, he'd have been one of the all time greats of the game.

Tommy. The conosuer's choice. The smartest kicker, craftiest footballer, the silkiest skills, and the best all-round half back. Could play 6 or 7 with aplomb. Goulding may have been the star when we got to the top, but Martyn kept us there. Also battled back from numerous serious injuries.

Hammond? A man of peaks and troughs, probably down to the fact that I don't actually think he liked playing rugby that much.

The way I see it is long ain't got half the brain bobbie has.

Long ain't been good for 3 years now coz he lost his pace. He can't take control of a game the way a scrum half should be able to but in his prime was so fast it was unreal.

Bobbie is the scrum half we are crying out for now. He can control the pace of a game and lead us round the park. IMO he just edges long as he didn't just depend on pace but both was greats for saints.

The tommy and bobbie half back pairing didn't was as well as long and tommy due to the fact they was both ball players and liked to do the same role.

I know for a FACT that saints wanted to team bobbie with Harris before he went to Leeds but mr goulding pi$$ed that up.

And yet prior to the arrival of Danny McGuire he scored more tries per game than any other SL stand-off. And that includes Henry Paul and Iestyn Harris.

He didn't look all that slow (especially off the mark) when he finished top of the try-scoring charts at Saints. Goulding could only dream of that.

I also recall Tommy Martyn scoring a number of Trys from inside his own half, especially in his younger days at Saints.
Certainly in his later years he slowed down, but then so do all players. Sean Long used to be capable of 15 to 20 trys a season, but now only manages a couple.