Houghton has played the full 80 for years, but has suffered from not having the best pack around him.

People recogise his stamina, ridiculous tackling performance and darting runs, but have lamented his seeming inability to take us to the next level regarding organisation, quick play the balls, and game management.

This year, however, is Danny's best ever. He's stepping up to the mark in all those areas described above, and we're winning matches. Why? Has Houghton suddenly learned in 3 months that which he hadn't in the previous 8 years? Of course not.

The simple reason is that he is playing in probably the best pack in the competition this year and is finally able to demonstrate his full potential. We are now seeing his full range of skills which were there all along.

The opposite has happened to Roby this season. He hasn't suddenly become a 'bad player', he is merely suffering from the constraints placed upon him by being amongst a pack that isn't firing. He's having to compensate by doing more donkey work which obviously is going to tire and stunt him. He looks like Danny has for the last few seasons. Solid, good, but not quite there.

Look to the pack for answers, not the 80 minutes. Danny is proving exceptional over 80 minutes every game this season.

The biggest game of the season for us (lets face it: we have never been this far away from winning the grand final) and we put our worst performance in. Questions have to be asked.

Those questioning Roby are insane. Honestly, what do you expect him to do? He's good, but he's not THAT good

Insane? I don't see how really. He's been a legend for us over the years and his performances have been perhaps amongst the most consistent of any of our elite players over the decades. But time waits for no man and a man flogged irresponsibly since Cunningham retired will obviously feel the effects of that. It is without question that Roby is no longer the player he once was. He's not hitting as hard in defense, he's not making as many runs and he's not as dynamic or dangerous when making them now. Sure, he's having to struggle extra hard because we have such a beaten pack, but that's not the only reason his performances are not what they were. I'm not saying he's a bad player, far from it. He's class and will continue to be next season as well no doubt. But he's not the top hooker in Super League any more. He's not even the best British hooker anymore. He's not even in the top 3 anymore. This is another area Saints are massively failing on, he needs to be replaced now, not in two years. Signing a 32 year old Kiwi who plays less than Gary Wheeler isn't the answer either.

Probably not the top world hooker but easily in the top.2 in SL.

I made this point on another thread regarding Roby. I have the utmost respect for him and what he does for the team, but should your clubs marquee player really be someone who makes 40+ tackles per game and who's impact is so heavily reliant on the performance of his 5 other forwards? Surely a marquee should be a match winner? Someone who can turn a game on his own? As much as Roby is quality, im not sure he would fall into that category.

Perhaps KC could make it his next project and put Turner there?