I'm shocked how one persons posts on this thread (Lyono) can turn our support so sour. I don't think we can or should blame losing the GF on Lomax and Gaskell, I think that's absolutely ridiculous and deluded. If memory serves, Rugby Leaguer/League Express gave Gaskell Saints MOM for his part in the GF.
If anyone can dispute that Gaskell's appearance, and the subsequent turn around of the game against Widnes had nothing to do with him, then IMO they have something personal against him.
Come on Saints, most fans are behind you and can't wait to see our young talent come into their own. Hotel booked for next weekend and I cannot wait for kickoff to the season.

Not necessarily. If we played dazzling all year and then lost in another Grand Final that would probably be enough for us to extend. Despite my early criticisms (and those about our defence need to be answered quickly) he pulled the team together and got us to the Grand Final after beating the champions in consecutive games. That was a pretty good turnaround so he has some credit in the bank for me after that. Make another final and as long as we don't look like we've gone backwards I'd consider it. Early days though yet.

I'm by no means a Royce hater, and he did do well last year. But it's more about what the board deam as a good enough result.

I like Royce and think he did a very good job last year with the injuries etc but I'm not 100% convinced he's the coach to push on to be champions again.

Fair enough he got us to the grand final with a bad I jury crisis but out rugby at times was shocking. The was about 4/ games where foster saved us with his kicking.

I hope he gets a fair crack with injuries this year do we can see the real Royce and how we play.

Some of that at least will be because we were forever being messed about with injuries, so couldn't gel as a team, and we had so many inexperienced players on the pitch at one go on so many occasions. I'm surprised we landed third to be honest and I'd given up on the GF weeks before we got there!

I agree, that's the reason I wrote that I hope he has a good run with injuries so we can see how he'd have us play.

Like I said, I like him but still undecided on him at the moment.