I remember when Simmons was appointed last year and I said that playing there would make it extremely difficult for him in his first season because each game is more or less at a neutral venue. Whilst I am concerned at the lack of defensive toughness we've shown in the early days we need to consider this when assessing how the team is doing. The squad is still good enough to compete for trophies, however it will be a harder season for us because of our temporary relocation.

I probably underestimated what a difference it would make. It felt nothing like a home game, I was sat in the North stand and you could hear a pin drop for most of the game. A longer journey (stuck in traffic for half of it), uncertain of where to go, sitting down etc are probably the reasons for it and we'll get used to it, but it was almost as if the players felt the same way which is a tad worrying.

The lack of atmosphere is unlikely to go away at the new ground given that a lot of vocal support will have transferred into the seating areas coupled with a distinct lack of singing and what have you from the next generation. Man up next generation!

It didn't have the atmosphere thats for certain. I reckon that if last night's game was at Knowsley Road, the atmosphere alone would have brought Saints through to win. It must be hard for them.

Things I particularly noted about last night:

1 - Two world class (In a ball collection sense) fullbacks had no chance with the high ball. Eastmond and Briers both put up bombs which went above the floodlights and couldn't be seen until they were back below the very low set lights at Widnes. That IMO is going to cause problems all season. Do Widnes play most of their games on a Sunday in the daylight?

2 - The width of the pitch. It may just have been our performance last night but it seemed that it was almost impossible to create any width in the game. Several times for both sides there were big overlaps and despite the ball going out quickly, it was shut down all too easily. Does anyone know the current pitch dimensions?

3 - Atmosphere is going to be terrible. Saints IMO shouldn't have sold any season tickets behind the posts. They should have sold them all for the North and South stands, filling up the sides and let the side stands be used for away fans and also spill overs if we ever get a decent crowd there. The majority of the Saints vocal support is now separated in two stands that are too far apart.

I'm sure Phil Clarke was on the pitch before kick off and said that the pitch was about a metre and a half wider than Knowsley Road.

Ha! Great minds, Rogues!

Totally agree. I've got a great seat in the North Stand too but it just doesnt feel 'right'

The pitch at Widnes is apparently 1 and a half metres wider than our old ground at KR.

Yep Widnes is a standard full size pitch. Its both longer and wider than Knowsley Road was.

The nes stadium will be the same dimensions.

The good thing re this is it encourages the use of faster backs as there is more space to work in.

Alas, that is not a good thing for Saints at present!

FWIW, I don't think the stadium had anything to do with it last night. As much as I hate to say it Wire were simply the better side and they had the plan to knock you out of your stride with strong arm stuff early doors.

The stadium does generate atmosphere - but that comes from the performance and the fans - it'll be right once you've all settled in.

I only watched the game in the pub but I would have thought that with it being your first game down here and it being a derby the atmosphere would have been like a cup tie but as i said earlier, Wires performance may have dampened your spirits.

We do play most of our games in daylight so a smart operator like Briers will take advantage of the low lights at Widnes.

I'm not being sympathetic, far from it, but you are in for a difficult season.

Give over. We've drawn with Wigan, smashed Salford and lost by 7 to a 'rampaging and all powerful' Warrington side.

Contrast with last season where we lost by about 40 to Hull at home. We still reached the Grand Final. I reckon a top 5 spot and a respectable exit would be a good enough season. The impending loss of Eastmond will ruin this season and we would have been a quality back or two short anyway. But talk of us dropping massively is way off. There are always some shaky performances at the start of the season.

who are you and what have you done with Saddened?