Not sure he wants it extended. He was all set to return to Aus with the family after the Dragons.

The opportunity was one he couldn't really say no to so decided to give it a go IIRC.

No idea what the problem was although I became convinced it was Potter since our team was still made up of the same players from Anderson's day. Nothing has happened to change my mind on that because I have no idea why the change occurred between the Hull match and the Bradford match. For all I know the players could have simply refused to continue playing to the style Potter wanted or Potter could have had a change of mind or pressure from elsewhere could have been applied, etc, etc. Who knows? I don't care. All I care about is that Saints players themselves look more up for it these days, which is always good to see; we seem to have rediscovered our style of play, our attack and our defence (although our defence is probably still a bit patchy); we have managed to break the 20 point barrier a few times now; we have won at home (which I think was important from a confidence POV) and we appear to be playing as a unit even when injuries disrupt a match.

These days I'm neither for or against Potter, simply because I don't know the reason for what appeared to be a sudden change in style. So long as we continue to build on what we are at present - win or lose - that's all I care about. It's just great to see Saints playing with some flair and some enthusiasm again. Just great.

We won out first 13 matches of 2006 if I recall correctly, and lost only 4 matches all year. Not so dour if you ask me.

We were outstanding all the way threw 2006! There was no dour start as you rightly point out. Arguably the best Saints side ever imo!

All most fans wanted was to stop the boring 5 drives and a kick, no plan B stuff.
This he seems to have done, so i'm happy

I'm torn on this. Last season was dire and the start to this also was. But since my harsh statements on here about the situation he seems to have improved a lot. The team is playing a good style of rugby again and actually seems to want to win again. If that carried on to the end of the season I wouldn't have much to hold against him, despite his lack of charisma and connection to the fans.

fully agree. the only thing wrong was the dour style of play leading to not scoring points and terrible results as a consequence. If we carry on playing in the style we are now, we will be in with a shout at the end of the season and that is all that we can ask for.

Like others, I question what happened between the Hull game and the Bradford game to see such a sudden shift in playing style.

I think we all do !

Looking at the team who played yesterday i couldnt see a player who didnt join in the celebrations after a try and started slapping each other on the back before, through and after the game. Especially Jammer and Kyle. He is getting the best out of Leon at the moment and i havent seen him play this well in god knows how long.

Potter staying on through the rest of this year is the only option. I've been a Potter supporter and think he can do it this year for us. As for next season i'm not sure like someone said he did want to go back to Aus after Catalans so i'd expect him not to renew his contract.

Yep, the turn around in a week was shocking, in a good way, so why were we so poor against Hull?

Most of the explanations offered at the time still hold water. For the Bulls game we were a team not badly disrupted mid-match by injuries, we had a game under our belt, the conditions were not quite so atrocious.

People forget Hull FC has a far more strenuous pre-season than us, including a full flooded, full strength derby game. We were undercooked, and it showed against a team chock full of new signings desperate to impress. I remember saying at the time I wouldn't be surprised if we came out and mullered Bradford - it was just one of those nights against Hull.

What I could never understand was questioning the side's enthusiasm last year though. We had an awful run of injuries and were bang out of form for the play-offs and pure enthusiasm (evidenced in some brilliant defensive efforts) dragged us to the GF despite us struggling badly for points. Form we lacked, for sure. Enthusiasm? I must have been watching a different team.