That is probably the nearest post to the way I am looking at things for next season. IIRC last season we were being written off by other teams, the press etc. On the downward spiral springs to mind and you'll finish mid table etc. We stood up to be counted in the end, even without any halfbacks which ultimately cost us at the end of the season. I feel this year even without KC on the pitch we have a great squad of players all up to the task in hand. We may take a few weeks to get into our stride but that's nothing new for us. I feel we will be up there at the end of the season. It's nice being underdogs it does take the pressure off.

How on earth do you work that out? Do you know him or have some feedback from his efforts when on other contracts? Does he have a track record of this? I'm sure he could have gotten more money at a lesser club if he was only here for that.

I read that as "I doubt he'll be here beyond the 3 year (or however many years it is) contract he's signed for, as opposed to "he's just here for the paycheck"

Yup, that was what i was getting at, my point is that LMS could see out his career here, I'd like Perry to as well (he may retire after this deal anyway, he'll be 33) but the lure of going back home will always be there.

I'm with you on this. That's how I'm viewing the season too. I'm not even sure that the absence of KC will make as big a difference as the pundits and some fans are claiming, especially if we evolve an attacking play which is less reliant upon barging at the line from 10m out (a KC speciality). I'm sure Jammer, Wello et al can be as motivational and inspirational as KC was, as individuals and collectively. In fact, it could work in our favour NOT to have one great big personality egging us on, who knows? Only time will tell.

I can't remember being as relaxed going into a season, for the first season in ages we're not [iexpected[/i to win anything - and our first 17 is as strong as it has been in a long while and surely we can't have the wrath of the rugby gods (c) P Clarke 2010 in terms of injuries to the same extent this season?

Can't wait, Come On You Saints!

Saints has a pretty strong lure as well. Not many players have left Saints voluntarily over the Super League era, Lyon was only ever going to be here for a couple of years, Darren Albert left a bit prematurely, but most others have left on the clubs terms. I see no reason to think that this is going to change in any way in the next few years.

I would imagine it will be Cunninghams direction and decisions from the play the ball that you may miss, not his actual running from there. A similar worry that some Wigan fans have about the loss of Riddell

Correct. That and his presence / leadership I think we'll miss most. The players seemed to visibly lift when KC re-entered the field.

I know we will miss KC on the actual playing pitch - well it's only natural after all. We said that about Scully but we managed. The fact that KC will still be around the dressing room and could even go onto the pitch as a (water carrier lol) will be a big bonus. He will help keep the lads 'focused' and be a big help during a match.

Slipped up a few of you here you could have had me with a Saints badge all next season

Quite interesting looking back now. Most of us, myself included, considered we were capable of a top four finish, provided we kept injury free. That we have finished third with huge injury problems means we have exceeded most of our expectations quite comfortably. Top marks to Royston and the team for a tremendous effort

Seconded.