Our tackle completion last night was incredible all round. I don't know the final count but with about 65 minutes to go we'd only missed 6 tackles to warringtons 23!

Kudos, Saddo. You've just made my day with that one.

I've not read the whole thread but I thought it was a very impressive start to the season for us. Our 1, 6, 7 & 9 combintation was really good to watch at times and is well balanced. Our fast outside backs will score tries for fun this season if these lot can stay fit this year. Walsh and Roby in particular were oustanding. Walsh controlled everthing we did and his performance reminded of when Bobbie Gouling was here. He brought the forwards into the game and instead of them running onto passes from just Roby, Walsh was dropping them off causing a bit of confusion in Warrington's defence. A totally dominant half back performance and it allowed Wheeler and Lomax to play to their strengths. Roby was phenomenal. He was really lively at the PTB area and his distribution was very good.

Our forwards started excellently and we've got a real gem in Amor. He does all the simple thing really well and plays long minutes. I was also really impressed with Walmsley starting and think this could be a better option when Masoe is fit. Both Amor and Walmsley gave us the impetus early on and whereas last year we were starting games slowly, this year was a completey different story.

The performance as scratchy at times (especially our discipline and parts of our offence), it wasn't an 80 minute display but there was alot of good signs for a first game and I'm excited by watching us this season. It could be a very good season for us if we get some luck.

It just shows how putting players in there right postions can change the shape of the team in Walsh, Wheeler and Amor with Masoe yet to come.
I don,t know if the Wire looked slow and pedantic but they certainly appeared to make The saints a lot quicker and fitter.
The line speed was great, they strangled the life and composure out of the Wire.

Hopefully we can get the same next week, if we can get more than half a season out of the half back combination I'll be very happy. Walsh and Wheeler Associates compliment each other.

Saints need to wrap Walsh in cotton wool, we can't afford to lose him to injury. If he doesn't get tackled all year he'll have done his job.

Am I in the wrong universe. Saddo being all positive and optimistic.

No way man. When there is something to cheer, why not cheer it? No one, especially me, is saying we're unbeatable, but it would be hard to perform better on opening day than we did against Wire.

Oh I agree cheer and be up beat.

But talk of MOS, unbeaten home records, Walmsley for GB and off to the NRL, etc.

Lets not set expectations way beyond.

Friday's game between Leeds and Wire will be interesting and may help us put or result into better context.
Leeds have started well with a big win at HKR, if Wire push them, it will show our result in a very good light. If Leeds trounce them, perhaps Wire are truly looking weaker than in previous seasons.

I think Leeds will put big score on Warrington at the weekend.

It would be an ominous start to the season for TS if that happened.

Could he be under threat this year?

I don't think he would from his employers, but I could see him moving on voluntarily at then end of the season.

He's a man that has had plenty of success and now has a corresponding reputation, but I'm pretty sure he came out with a statement a couple of years ago stating that it wasn't best practice for any party to have one coach in place for too long.

He's had a good run, won some CCs and turned them into contenders, but his playing roster isn't as good as it has been, maybe it would be a good time for Wire to have a fresh approach (if someone suitable became available) and Tony could take up his next challenge (if Dr.K has any sense, he'll snap him up).

What I want to know is where Simon Moran's money has gone. Losing Hodgson, Briers, Morley, Cooper and Carvell and replacing them with Asotasi is... well, odd.

One look at Warrington's squad suggests they are a side in transition. Although I personally don't think the likes of Laithwaite, G. Riley or B. Evans have any long term Super League future which makes their squad look odd. Currie on the other hand looks like a future star.