Having just sat through the torture of the replay on Sky, it wasn't as close as I thought it was. We were completely dominated by Catalans. Around the hour mark they put a stat up that Catalans had had 50 play the balls in our half and us 19 in theirs. They had also made roughly double the metres we had with about 15 to go. The first half was one of the most one sided games I can remember seeing on Sky. The penalty at the end of the half was the only time we got out of our half.

Thought the best part of the match was when everyone in the stadium thought you were gonna get the try right at the death and Catalans walked up the other end and scored..........Quality!

From a neutrals point of view Saints were simply rolled over by Catalans pack.

They did five great drives and a quality kick. Aside from maybe three Sets Saints really didn't do anything.

It's clear that the pack needs more go forward and that the half backs are stand ins. No one seems to be able to kick.


I was astounded at just how gushing the Sky team were about Saints at the end. Yes they have lots of injuries but that's part and parcel of the game. I don't think Saints will challenge the top two places this year but with the rest of the team back they will do ok.

On the other side of the coin I think Saints could have stolen a totally undeserved victory at the end - ii was mighty close to a try before Leon took a walk down the sideline.

The issue for me is there is a lot of talk about us signing a half back but I'm afraid a combination of Andrew Johns and Wally Lewis would struggle trying to play behind our pack at the moment. Our front row was totally dominated by Catalan. LMS, Clough and LaFrancchi are nowhere near big enough to play in the front row and last night it showed. The future for our club rests with Walmsley.....has he not got 3 brothers like the Burgess lads?

Is Soliola bigger than LMS? He doesn't look it. Yet Soliola took the game to the Dragons while all LMS did was make it ten times harder for us to get anywhere thanks to his petulant behaviour. Lafranchi also made some good yards sometimes (I watched it back on TV) but just not consistently.

I think at the least some of our problems up front are to do with attitude rather than size. We were lethargic in the first half and that's what I'm getting tired of watching. If we came on to the field as we did in 2011 when we also had a terrible injury problem, with determination and enthusiasm and grit, and stuck with that attitude for the full 80 minutes, then I would have no difficulties supporting a mid table team, which is what we are at present. But we don't.

And then the coach blames the referee. How weak that looks.

I'm of course a big LMS fan, but he should have been sent to the sin bin after the third penalty! especially after someone was sent to the sin bin for a first offence, I will praise the crowd for a few times they managed to sway the decision of the official and even change his mind!

Did like Brown in his Saturday Night Fever get up! do people still wear white shirts open and collar over their jacket like Simon Cowell!

LMS is a prop and should be making his yards up the middle of the field where size & strength is a massive factor. It is also important when defending as you've got bigger guys running at you who you need to match physically. Sia was outstanding but plays second row and by the very nature of the position runs wider, where there is slightly more space, at opposition second rowers and centres rather than at monster props. Unfortunately you can compare the two. Compare LMS to Walmsley and there was only one winner. Agree with the point on LMS discipline though, effectively cost us the game in penalties alone.

The Dragons player was sent to the bin for a professional foul, not a first offence.

I was thinking more of attitude rather than role. LMS looks bigger than Soliola but Soliola always takes the game to the opposition, regardless of who it is we are playing. He may play a different role - well, obviously, he does! - and all that, but it always seems to be the case that whenever we are challenged in the pack LMS goes soft. I think Soliola does more of a prop's job than LMS, and yet rumour is that LMS has been offered an enhanced contract. That would be poor if true.

Walmsley is on a different planet. That guy is very impressive and I love watching him play.

Well, Alex does have one brother-Liam- also a Batley player!
Suggest Saints offer LMS,Perry and Laffranchi in a swap deal?

Well I'm glad I missed that game.

If I was being ruthless my list of outs this year would be

Perry, Lance, Wellens, Ade, Laffranchi (unless he is moved to 2nd row, his actual position), I have to say LMS.

When LMS came to Saints I was not expecting a world beater, but someone who would develop into a world beater. Well it's quite a few seasons on and he's pretty much the same as when he came to the club for me. He can turn it on, but it's far too inconsistent for a top side.

We need a 2nd hooker, if that's going to be Lance then fine, but for me he's on too much cash for a 2nd hooker.

Makinson from games prior to this one I would say can fill a role at FB, but he's a stand in for Lomax.

As for Meli, no idea about last night but from prior weeks he looks to be contract worthy.

Next year

1. Lomax/2. Makinson/3. Turner/4. Percival/5. Meli/6. New fella - no stand in's, not Lance /7. New fella

8 New Fella/9. Roby/10. Walmsley/11. Sia/12. Manu/13. Flanaghan

New 2nd Hooker/Laffranchi as 2nd rower/Clough
Wilkin (as his contract is so long it would be impossible to move)
Walker/Wheeler/If we can't get TP to stay or his body can't take it then another 2 props.

Then the rest of the youth set up

Two of the three LMS committed especially the last one could be interpreted the same professional foul!