Regarding the McManus piece and the upper-case 'THAT', I think he was emphasising what a chairman's role [iis not[/i rather than what a coach's role [iis[/i. However, given that Brown has been keen to suggest that we weren't far away in the games against Wigan and Leeds, I think the implicit message is that our coach needs to re-calbrate his sense of what is an acceptable level of performance for this squad.

Regarding the match, I've got mixed feelings about it. In many ways it was a typical top v bottom clash, with the intensity going out of the game after 20 minutes. We did dominate London physically, particularly in the first half, and our overall game management was good (keeping your opponents in their own half for 30 minutes is an achievement no matter who you are playing). It's worrying how poor we were in aspects of the game that require communication and organisation, though. Our attack was poor. Walsh was brilliant overall, but he does like to go wide a bit early for my liking. The ball keeps getting out to our centres and wingers with defenders right on top of them, because we're not doing enough work in the middle to lay the platform. Our edge defence is even worse, though; it seems at the moment you only need to string a couple of passes together against us and you're guaranteed numbers.

I agree about the spoilt attitude. We don't really have a right to expect trophies yet although I would be disappointed if we didn't make the final this year.

Quote: saintcj "I agree about the spoilt attitude. We don't really have a right to expect trophies yet although I would be disappointed if we didn't make the final this year.'" Eamon would agree with you according to this: www.loverugbyleague.com/news_149 ... drick.html?

Quote: saintcj "I agree about the spoilt attitude. We don't really have a right to expect trophies yet although I would be disappointed if we didn't make the final this year.'" Eamon would agree with you according to this: www.loverugbyleague.com/news_149 ... drick.html?

I absolutely agree the GF is the target, I know others call it the hubcap, but I would think from a revenue point of view and the fact we are now out of the Challenge Cup the league leaders should also be a target.

How do clubs make their money?

From people walking through the doors, and a winning team gets people through the doors. Winning the GF is too late in the season to provide a boost money wise. You get little for winning the thing and season ticket sales the following year will be based on expectations on the 2015 team not the glories of the 2014 team.

The GF brings all the credit, but it's the league leaders that bring in the money.

My expectations are a top 2 and a GF... Not an easy task, but I think that is why we should aim for league leaders as 2nd+3rd will more than likely be the toughest draw, being a combination of probably Wigan, Leeds or Saints.

Whoever gets top will more than likely be playing Widnes, Cas, Huddersfield.

I know which teams I would opt to play twice at home.

Also the fixtures have been kind to us apart from the Easter period.
Our away trip to Catalan has a two week break prior to playing them.
Cas at home: they have to play wigan the week prior
Wigan away: wigan have to play 13th, 18th, 22nd us on the 27th. It's their catch up week for the WCC.
Leeds away: is the Friday after the CC final always a nice time to play a team
Hudds away: is an 8 day break.


I'm not for one minute suggesting a run of unbeaten games to the end of the season, but you look at that fixture list and with nothing else to aim for we should be sending our best team out week after week, with good odds on winning.

Obviously that's your opinion that we have the 2nd best squad in super league. I disagree, I'd put both Wigan and Leeds above the squad on paper.

Problem is, the game is plsyed on grass and not paper, if you go out with the wrong attitude like this team in, then we get burned.

Nobody likes to lose but it's part of all sport and has to be accepted but losing with no heart, comitment, desire and poor attitude is very hard to accept and to many players are not playing to their ability so having even the best squad counts for nothing.

We aren't spoiled. We have high expectations.

Maybe if other clubs had high expectations as well there wouldn't be so much mediocrity about.

We want Saints to be the best squad in the comp, not the second best. It's what everyone should be aiming for.