FORUMS FORUMS



  
FORUMS > St. Helens > Saints first home game v Widnes
137 posts in 10 pages 
<<   PREV  NEXT   >>
Subscribe | Moderators: Admin, Billinge_Lump , BackrowSaint
RankPostsTeam
Player Coach16963No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Mar 200916 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Nov 2017Oct 2017LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
TO BE FIXED



Quote: bewareshadows "It's always hard to tell alot from a friendly (especially when you are not there), but one thing came across on the radio pretty clearly, we needed more than 1 friendly. Thats it now, a couple of weeks no more games and we are into the real thing.'"


Reading Royce comments in the programme, he states because of the amount of games we played last year, he thinks it's better having no proactive games and also says he gave players long holidays to be fresh for the season.

IMO you could tell we've not had much practice.

RankPostsTeam
Player Coach16170No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Jul 200816 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Feb 2016Oct 2015LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
TO BE FIXED



Quote: bewareshadows "It's always hard to tell alot from a friendly (especially when you are not there), but one thing came across on the radio pretty clearly, we needed more than 1 friendly. Thats it now, a couple of weeks no more games and we are into the real thing.'"

I agree that we need another friendly. Widnes were on their third and you could tell. But we aren't going to get another friendly and so we will just have to hope that those who didn't put 100% effort in/had a bad game/whatever will buck up their ideas next time out and that our combinations will be clearer to the coach as a result of tonight's match.

One thing's for sure, we need Gaskell on that pitch.

RankPostsTeam
Player Coach16170No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Jul 200816 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Feb 2016Oct 2015LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
TO BE FIXED



Quote: St pete "I thought it as a total shocking display tonight, I know it's a friendly game and don't mean anything but what the hell have we been practicing in ore season training? '"

Training is nothing like your first match together as a team in months, and a new look team too (and you should know that as you've played the game!). There was clearly no Jammer putting in last ditch tackles tonight and I think Roby looked a bit lost at times without him on his shoulder. A few of our players need to step up. Unfortunately, without Jammer, and with us a bit at sea, the defensive frailties of a few of our players stuck out like sore thumbs. But we also showed some good signs. Makinson looked the business, Gaskell changed everything, Hohaia looks class in attack, Dixon impressed me. It will just take time.

Remember, we looked pretty shocking against Hudds in our friendly against them this time last year, but we still got to the Grand Final.

RankPostsTeam
Player Coach16963No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Mar 200916 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Nov 2017Oct 2017LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
TO BE FIXED



Quote: SaintsFan "I agree that we need another friendly. Widnes were on their third and you could tell. But we aren't going to get another friendly and so we will just have to hope that those who didn't put 100% effort in/had a bad game/whatever will buck up their ideas next time out and that our combinations will be clearer to the coach as a result of tonight's match.

One thing's for sure, we need Gaskell on that pitch.'"


We defo need Gaskell on the pitch and playing stand off. He's the natural one of all our halves and his kicking game is 100 times better than lomax and lance.

I think lance and lomax are good players and highly rate both but I don't think they fit as halfbacks and would 100% play Gaskell at 6.

RankPostsTeam
Player Coach16963No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Mar 200916 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Nov 2017Oct 2017LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
TO BE FIXED



Quote: SaintsFan "Training is nothing like your first match together as a team in months, and a new look team too (and you should know that as you've played the game!). There was clearly no Jammer putting in last ditch tackles tonight and I think Roby looked a bit lost at times without him on his shoulder. A few of our players need to step up. Unfortunately, without Jammer, and with us a bit at sea, the defensive frailties of a few of our players stuck out like sore thumbs. But we also showed some good signs. Makinson looked the business, Gaskell changed everything, Hohaia looks class in attack, Dixon impressed me. It will just take time.

Remember, we looked pretty shocking against Hudds in our friendly against them this time last year, but we still got to the Grand Final.'"


For me, friendly games are all about putting in to practice everything you e trained in pre season like moves, set plays and game plans. Tonight It was just one man rugby, nothing new at all.

That hit by sia was worth the ticket price tho!

RankPostsTeam
Club Coach29774
JoinedServiceReputation
Nov 200420 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Nov 2024Nov 2024LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
TO BE FIXED



As an outsider i'll be stunned if Gaskell isn't starting week in week out for Saints this season. He was exceptional at the back end of last season and doesn't deserve to lose his place.

I'd much prefare to play you with Wellens at 1, Hohaia at 6 and Lomax at 7 then I would with Hohaia at fullback and Gaskell and Lomax in the halves. It's a tough call to shift Wellens in to a new position or use him as your bench back (that Simmons seems to love) but I think it's one that needs to be made in all honesty.

RankPostsTeam
Club Owner29214No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Jul 200321 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Nov 2024Nov 2024LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
TO BE FIXED



Quote: NickyKiss "As an outsider i'll be stunned if Gaskell isn't starting week in week out for Saints this season. He was exceptional at the back end of last season and doesn't deserve to lose his place.

I'd much prefare to play you with Wellens at 1, Hohaia at 6 and Lomax at 7 then I would with Hohaia at fullback and Gaskell and Lomax in the halves. It's a tough call to shift Wellens in to a new position or use him as your bench back (that Simmons seems to love) but I think it's one that needs to be made in all honesty.'"


It's Makinson at 1, Gaskell at 6 and Lomax at 7 that I want to see. Gaskell is our best attacking player and has the best kicking game at the club. Dropping him for Hohaia would be a monumental mistake.

RankPostsTeam
Player Coach16963No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Mar 200916 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Nov 2017Oct 2017LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
TO BE FIXED



Quote: Saddened! "It's Makinson at 1, Gaskell at 6 and Lomax at 7 that I want to see. Gaskell is our best attacking player and has the best kicking game at the club. Dropping him for Hohaia would be a monumental mistake.'"



I thought lance looked better when he moved to fullback, you could tell from the positions he got in that he's a out and out fullback.

I thought foster looked a liability on high balls again, if makinson can kick as good as people say then I'd drop foster and put tommy on wing.

RankPostsTeam
Club Coach29774
JoinedServiceReputation
Nov 200420 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Nov 2024Nov 2024LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
TO BE FIXED



Quote: Saddened! "It's Makinson at 1, Gaskell at 6 and Lomax at 7 that I want to see. Gaskell is our best attacking player and has the best kicking game at the club. Dropping him for Hohaia would be a monumental mistake.'"



Thats certainly a long term line up for you but for now I think it's clear Hohaia is going to play somewhere. To me his best position has always been fullback and with Gaskell offering a top kicking game you need him in the team.

Gaskell would be the first name i'd have down in the halves simply because of his kicking. I'd play Hohaia fullback or back up hooker or even move Lomax in to fullback before leaving that lad out.

If I was naming the backline i'd least like to face against us at the minute i'd go-

1- Hohaia 2- Makinson 3- Wheeler 4- Meli 5- Foster 6- Gaskell 7- Lomax

To use Gaskell as your bench back would be a sad waste.

RankPostsTeam
Player Coach479No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Jun 200717 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Apr 2014Apr 2014LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
TO BE FIXED



Quote: NickyKiss "Thats certainly a long term line up for you but for now I think it's clear Hohaia is going to play somewhere. To me his best position has always been fullback and with Gaskell offering a top kicking game you need him in the team.

Gaskell would be the first name i'd have down in the halves simply because of his kicking. I'd play Hohaia fullback or back up hooker or even move Lomax in to fullback before leaving that lad out.

If I was naming the backline i'd least like to face against us at the minute i'd go-

1- Hohaia 2- Makinson 3- Wheeler 4- Meli 5- Foster 6- Gaskell 7- Lomax

To use Gaskell as your bench back would be a sad waste.'"



Gaskell made a huge difference as soon as he came on tonight and until he did so Saints kicking game was utterly abysmal.

RankPostsTeam
International Chairman12738No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Dec 200123 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Jan 2024Aug 2020LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
TO BE FIXED



Mixed bag for me.

The kicking game in the first half looked awful, however it must be said that Saints were kicking into a very strong wind.

I thought the pack were out muscled for quite a bit of the match by Widnes, only Perry and Clough showed the ability to make yards in heavy traffic.

Foster was all at sea for large parts of the match in defence. It was comical at times.

The players were not familiar were the touchlines were, and ran into touch on a number of occasions.

Lance is a fast elusive runner, but didnt create anything with the ball in hand. He is the type of player that at times will run up his own backside. Will frighten opposition defences though as teams wont know what he is doing. Problem is this also applies for Saints as well.

When Gaskell came on, the team moved the ball around the field far better. His try was good and the ball he gave for Dixons well taken try was superb

Makinson was outstanding. Started at fullback and was like a rock in defence and dangerous in attack. Excellent break then perfectly timed inside pass for Melis try. Also scored an excellent try.

Lafranchi was pretty anonymous.

Ashe looked dangerous when on the field. He seems to glide across the pitch and beat people without seemingly trying. Could be a breakthrough season for him.

Soliolas big hit. BOOOOOOOM!!!, he then goes and misses a number of tackles that he really should have made.

Wheeler didnt fall apart on contact with the opposition.

We got pinged for crossing a few times in the game which is a sign that the players are still not upto speed with the moves yet.

Defence was as porous as one of the Typhoo tea bags.

RankPostsTeam
Club Owner29214No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Jul 200321 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Nov 2024Nov 2024LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
TO BE FIXED



Lance Hohaia cannot play at fullback as he cannot catch. He should be the back from the bench who gets 4 minutes at the end of matches. Gaskell's a better player.

RankPostsTeam
Player Coach87No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Aug 200915 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Feb 2020Aug 2019LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
TO BE FIXED



How did Widnes fair in this game ?

It will be nice to read an unbiased report..........

RankPostsTeam
Player Coach16170No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Jul 200816 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Feb 2016Oct 2015LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
TO BE FIXED



Quote: Bomb Jack "How did Widnes fair in this game ?'"

They faired very well, although I think they had a few injuries. Hopefully nothing serious. Watt and Flynn were most noticeable. Troublesome players both.

RankPostsTeam
Club Owner29214No
Team
Selected
JoinedServiceReputation
Jul 200321 years
OnlineLast PostLast Page
Nov 2024Nov 2024LINK
Milestone Posts
0
100
Milestone Years
0510 1520 2530
Location
Signature
TO BE FIXED



Quote: Bomb Jack "How did Widnes fair in this game ?

It will be nice to read an unbiased report..........'"


Very, very well. They were the more 'up for it' team and were pretty dominant early in the game. I'd say the Widnes attack was the more creative of the two and the more willing to attack from deep. Widnes scored a couple of really well constructed tries and looked to have a good balance of pace and power in the backline. I like the look of Hanbury and Paddy Flynn took his tries well.

Defensively Widnes' approach was borderline Wigan-esque. It would be a shame if they went down the negative Wigan route and tried to play anti-rugby next season. There were periods of deliberate holding down, attention on standing legs and getting unneccessary numbers into the tackle in order to slow the game down. Being a friendly it worked to a degree, although without the defensive discipline Wigan have it might not be so successful in a SL game. I think Widnes will be pleased with the showing, they won't be flogged every week like some teams have been in SL on that showing and there should be enough there to do quite well at home particularly. They were very creative and were clearly at a more advanced stage of preparation than Saints, who were very rusty. Two tries in 30 seconds towards the end made the score unrepresentative of the game itself IMO.

You have to take into account the fact that there were unlimited interchanges tonight, so there were a lot of changes on both sides at times.

137 posts in 10 pages 
<<   PREV  NEXT   >>
Subscribe | Moderators: Admin, Billinge_Lump , BackrowSaint
137 posts in 10 pages 
<<   PREV  NEXT   >>
Subscribe | Moderators: Admin, Billinge_Lump , BackrowSaint



All views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of the RLFANS.COM or its subsites.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure that news stories, articles and images are correct, we cannot be held responsible for errors. However, if you feel any material on this website is copyrighted or incorrect in any way please contact us using the link at the top of the page so we can remove it or negotiate copyright permission.

RLFANS.COM, the owners of this website, is not responsible for the content of its sub-sites or posts, please email the author of this sub-site or post if you feel you find an article offensive or of a choice nature that you disagree with.

Copyright 1999 - 2024 RLFANS.COM

You must be 18+ to gamble, for more information and for help with gambling issues see https://www.begambleaware.org/.



Please Support RLFANS.COM


8.55126953125:10
RLFANS Recent Posts
FORUM
LAST
POST
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
Recent
Film game
karetaker
5766
Recent
Getting a new side to gel
Wigan Bull
2
Recent
New Kit
Cokey
70
Recent
Fixtures
Hockley Bron
12
Recent
Fixtures 2025
Wigan Bull
10
Recent
Transfer Talk V5
Seth
517
FORUM
LAST
VIEW
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
3m
ALL NEW 49ERS ERA LEEDS UTD THREAD
tad rhino
2611
3m
DoR - New Coach - Investor & Adam - New signings
Theeaststand
4048
3m
2025 Recruitment
Pyrah123
212
3m
Transfer Talk V5
Seth
517
4m
Opening Championship and League One Fixtures for 2025 Released
RLFANS News
1
4m
Writers required
H.G.S.A
1
5m
Rumours and signings v9
Mark_P1973
28902
6m
Opening Championship and League One Fixtures for 2025 Released
RLFANS News
1
6m
Salford
Smiffy27
59
7m
Opening Championship and League One Fixtures for 2025 Released
RLFANS News
1
FORUM
NEW
TOPICS
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
TODAY
Shirt reveal coming soon
Khlav Kalash
2
TODAY
Opening Championship and League One Fixtures for 2025 Released
RLFANS News
1
TODAY
Getting a new side to gel
Wigan Bull
2
TODAY
Fixtures
Hockley Bron
12
TODAY
Writers required
H.G.S.A
1
TODAY
2025 Fixtures
Jemmo
1
NEWS ITEMS
VIEWS
POSTSONLINEREGISTRATIONSRECORD
19.65M 1,301 80,15614,103
LOGIN HERE
or REGISTER for more features!.

When you register you get access to the live match scores, live match chat and you can post in the discussions on the forums.
RLFANS Match Centre
 Thu 13th Feb 2025
     Mens Super League XXX-R1
20:00
Wigan
v
Leigh
 Fri 14th Feb 2025
     Mens Super League XXX-R1
20:00
Hull KR
v
Castleford
20:00
Catalans
v
Hull FC
 Sat 15th Feb 2025
     Mens Super League XXX-R1
15:00
Leeds
v
Wakefield
17:30
St.Helens
v
Salford
       Championship 2025-R1
18:00
Toulouse
v
Widnes
 Sun 16th Feb 2025
     Mens Super League XXX-R1
15:00
Huddersfield
v
Warrington
       Championship 2025-R1
15:00
Bradford
v
LondonB
15:00
Featherstone
v
Doncaster
15:00
Oldham
v
York
15:00
Sheffield
v
Halifax
15:00
Barrow
v
Hunslet
 Thu 20th Feb 2025
     Mens Super League XXX-R2
20:00
Wakefield
v
Hull KR
 Fri 21st Feb 2025
     Mens Super League XXX-R2
20:00
Warrington
v
Catalans
20:00
Hull FC
v
Wigan
 Sat 22nd Feb 2025
     Mens Super League XXX-R2
15:00
Salford
v
Leeds
20:00
Castleford
v
St.Helens
 Sun 23rd Feb 2025
     Mens Super League XXX-R2
14:30
Leigh
v
Huddersfield
       League One 2025-R1
15:00
Cornwall
v
Workington
15:00
Dewsbury
v
Crusaders
ALL SCORES PROVIDED BY RLFANS.COM (SETTINGS)
Matches on TV
Thu 13th Feb
SL
20:00
Wigan-Leigh
Fri 14th Feb
SL
20:00
Hull KR-Castleford
SL
20:00
Catalans-Hull FC
Sat 15th Feb
SL
15:00
Leeds-Wakefield
SL
17:30
St.Helens-Salford
Sun 16th Feb
SL
15:00
Huddersfield-Warrington
Thu 20th Feb
SL
20:00
Wakefield-Hull KR
Fri 21st Feb
SL
20:00
Warrington-Catalans
SL
20:00
Hull FC-Wigan
Sat 22nd Feb
SL
15:00
Salford-Leeds
SL
20:00
Castleford-St.Helens
Sun 23rd Feb
SL
14:30
Leigh-Huddersfield
Thu 6th Mar
SL
20:00
Hull FC-Leigh
Fri 7th Mar
SL
20:00
Castleford-Salford
SL
20:00
St.Helens-Hull KR
Sat 8th Mar
SL
17:30
Catalans-Leeds
Sun 9th Mar
SL
17:30
Warrington-Wakefield
SL
17:30
Wigan-Huddersfield
Thu 20th Mar
SL
20:00
Salford-Huddersfield
Fri 21st Mar
SL
20:00
St.Helens-Warrington
This is an inplay table and live positions can change.
Mens Betfred Super League XXVIII ROUND : 1
 PLDFADIFFPTS
Wigan 29 768 338 430 48
Hull KR 29 731 344 387 44
Warrington 29 769 351 418 42
Leigh 29 580 442 138 33
Salford 28 556 561 -5 32
St.Helens 28 618 411 207 30
 
Catalans 27 475 427 48 30
Leeds 27 530 488 42 28
Huddersfield 27 468 658 -190 20
Castleford 27 425 735 -310 15
Hull FC 27 328 894 -566 6
LondonB 27 317 916 -599 6
This is an inplay table and live positions can change.
Betfred Championship 2024 ROUND : 1
 PLDFADIFFPTS
Wakefield 27 1032 275 757 52
Toulouse 26 765 388 377 37
Bradford 28 723 420 303 36
York 29 695 501 194 32
Widnes 27 561 502 59 29
Featherstone 27 634 525 109 28
 
Sheffield 26 626 526 100 28
Doncaster 26 498 619 -121 25
Halifax 26 509 650 -141 22
Batley 26 422 591 -169 22
Swinton 28 484 676 -192 20
Barrow 25 442 720 -278 19
Whitehaven 25 437 826 -389 18
Dewsbury 27 348 879 -531 4
Hunslet 1 6 10 -4 0
RLFANS Recent Posts
FORUM
LAST
POST
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
Recent
Film game
karetaker
5766
Recent
Getting a new side to gel
Wigan Bull
2
Recent
New Kit
Cokey
70
Recent
Fixtures
Hockley Bron
12
Recent
Fixtures 2025
Wigan Bull
10
Recent
Transfer Talk V5
Seth
517
FORUM
LAST
VIEW
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
3m
ALL NEW 49ERS ERA LEEDS UTD THREAD
tad rhino
2611
3m
DoR - New Coach - Investor & Adam - New signings
Theeaststand
4048
3m
2025 Recruitment
Pyrah123
212
3m
Transfer Talk V5
Seth
517
4m
Opening Championship and League One Fixtures for 2025 Released
RLFANS News
1
4m
Writers required
H.G.S.A
1
5m
Rumours and signings v9
Mark_P1973
28902
6m
Opening Championship and League One Fixtures for 2025 Released
RLFANS News
1
6m
Salford
Smiffy27
59
7m
Opening Championship and League One Fixtures for 2025 Released
RLFANS News
1
FORUM
NEW
TOPICS
TOPIC
POSTER
POSTS
TODAY
Shirt reveal coming soon
Khlav Kalash
2
TODAY
Opening Championship and League One Fixtures for 2025 Released
RLFANS News
1
TODAY
Getting a new side to gel
Wigan Bull
2
TODAY
Fixtures
Hockley Bron
12
TODAY
Writers required
H.G.S.A
1
TODAY
2025 Fixtures
Jemmo
1
NEWS ITEMS
VIEWS


Visit the RLFANS.COM SHOP
for more merchandise!