The real question for any Saints fan is not are we in decline, because you obviously are, the more prominent question is can you recover from it and how long will it take you to?

Every year you lot say we finished and Wigan are on up.

Never going to happen.

I'm happy to announce that all you young whippersnappers are now going to have the opportunity to go through what I had to put up with between 1968 when I started watching Saints to ... well ... Super League really.

You are in denial to say it will never happen. Wigan are on the up and Saints, whilst not finished yet, are certainly in decline. It will be interesting to see how they respond to the loss of Long and Gilmour next year. Perhaps the return of Fozzard will make the difference.

Have a strong coffee and look at your ins and outs.


you will not be as strong next season, end.

How do you know we are in decline? Is that based upon our failure to win silverware? If so, you have mighty high expectations of us! The last time we failed to win silverware was 2003, so it has happened before in Superleague. We may not be in decline. We may bounce back with a newly rejuvenated side next year, who knows? We may not, either. We'll just have to wait and see.

I was very happy to get in at 8-8 at half time, with what felt like fk all territory.

Don't mean this as a dig, and its obviously something you know, but you are losing legends year after year, Longy gone now, one more year of KC, possibly losing Eastmond too - obviously some salary cap cash is being freed up each year, but to replace the likes of Scully, Long and Kieron who have not only been immense players but part of the fabric of your club is a tough tough ask.

Not winning a trophy is just one indication of Saints decline. But other indicators are:
- Not finishing top in the regular season for the first time in 5 years.
- Losing more established stars with no obvious replacements.
- No longer bringing in big name players to keep the up the momentum of success.
- No obvious replacements coming through the ranks.
- Playing quite poorly this season at times and particularly towards the end of the season.
- Potter doesn't inspire confidence.
- Stories, from sources close to the dressing room, of unrest in the camp.

I am not saying Saints will become a poor side but they are clearly in decline from the highs of recent years.

Oh, I forgot - the declining crowds and disinterest amongst the Saints supporters. You see, even they acknowledge the decline.

The big worry now must be - New stadium, no team!

I remember kidding myself with that one when we lifted the title in 98, after everyone had written Wigan off when Super League began.

It was a hard fall from the top. I suppose with 1 title in 7 years, you aren't really falling from the "top" though

We didn't win trophies in 1998, 2001 or 2003 either. Were we in decline then, too?


We haven't finished top at other times in the Superleague either, were we in decline then, too?


We lost Tommy Martin, Paul Sculthorpe, etc, etc, but we carried on winning trophies. Were we in decline then, too? And who is to say we have no obvious replacements for Longy and Gilly? Did you not see Eastmond tonight? And we do have another second rower on his way.


Big name players don't equal success. They can be rubbish in another team. Likewise, no-names can become big names in another team.



BYE BYE SAINTS YOUR A SPENT FORCE