Quote: Sweaty Betty's "Good post but you have not mentioned Rush's and KFC's role in this! Let us also not forget that you were on a good run until this match - tinkering is the key not wholesale changes.'"
It depends how you define "a good run". We were winning games but I think it was plainly obvious to the majority of Saints fans that if we came up against a quality side, like we did at the weekend then we would struggle. Yes we beat Leeds on the Monday, but I was one of the few that came away from the game pleased with the win but also dreading playing Wigan. We just can't reach that level at the moment.
You're correct tinkering with the squad is what is needed. It's not like we have a squad of 40 players and can change the whole team so we are limited with the changes we can make. Personally I'd only change 3 - 4 players to see what happens - it can't be any worse than the weekend. I'll do a side that I would like to see play Hull.
1. Wellens -
2. Gardner -
3. Wheeler - been in poor form since he came back from injury but it's either him or Shenton.
4. Jones - He has been "having a breather" in the U20's the last few weeks and hasn't been dropped. Time for him to come back into the side.
5. Makinson - if fit
6. Lomax
7. Gaskell - If only for his kicking in general play as without him our kicking game is shocking
8. Perry
9. Roby
10. Laffranchi
11. Soliola
12. Flanagan - if fit
13. Wilkin
14. Dixon
15 LMS
16. Clough
17. Puletua
People are obviously going to have different opinions but I think that side should be good enough to get the 2 points against Hull. It looks more balanced and moves the players who are in poor form away from the side. But like I said it's all completely objective.
In regards to the roles played by Cunningham and Mike Rush over the last couple of months. I think that they have both been forced into the roles they currently have at the club, not by management but by beliving that it was the best thing for the club at the time. They obviously love the club and have taken it on themselves to make the best out of a messy situation. With Royce going so early in the season they had no time to prepare themselves for the challenges that lay ahead, so they are basically having to learn on the spot and I think in the circumstances they have done really well. I compare their situation to that of Roy Hodgson the England football manager in Euro 2012. It's a free tournament for him as it's a free season for KC and Mike Rush - they aren't expected to create miracles they are being asked to steady the ship temporarily before future plans become reality. Us fans know this or at least I hope they do.
