I think wello is awful in the halves, he looks totally out of his depth and I actually feel embarrassed for him when he's playing there.

However, we need a experienced player who has the bottle to try and dictate things like Wilkin has done in the past. Wello is a player that players look up to which you need in the halves. McDonnell would bring some much needed attack to the back line.

I don't see any other option but to put well other and McDonnell at fullback. We also need swift back in as he is dangerous with the ball.

a) Because Hull are absolutely terrible and hadn't won in 9 games. Without Walsh, that's the level we're at, bottom 4/5 club.
b) No, we have definitely been terrible for most of it. It's perhaps a reflection that the standard this season has hit rock bottom, OR just the fact that the other usual suspects for top spot have been trying to pace themselves. Warrington in particular have definitely been pacing themselves.
c) Why didn't he play? Why? Our attack was as creative as theirs and they've not won in 9 games. What does that say?
d) From the radio commentary it sounded like we struggled to get out of our own half for the final 30 minutes. Hull's pack is awful, so what does that say about ours? Even without Walsh, we should still have been all over them, putting pressure on them and keeping them in their half. Doesn't sound like we managed it?

First of all, congratulations on winning the Steve Prescott Cup. I know you're aiming for bigger and better trophys this year but I have no doubt both teams and fans wanted their name on it first.

Have to say though, if Wheeler and Turner are going to be getting a run of games together (no sure how long your injured players are out for) then be prepared for worse losses than tonight.
Neither player offered anything, and Turner was, by a long way, the worst player on the pitch.
Lack of halves forced you to play up the middle were Hull were dominant. Put Walsh in that team tonight and you guys would have won. You had plenty of chances just convert them (likewise us).

Wellens will ensure the kid is the one who cracks the whip, is "solid" and is still okay at running moving the ball along the line when not in the 3rd pivot position:

McDonnell
Makinson Turner Percival Swift
Wellens Charnock
Amor Roby Walmsley
Flanaghan Manu
Soliola

Masoe LMS Laffranchi Thompson

???

Charnock not ready. Hewitt is not ready. We can't kill kids for the sake of the rest of the season.

I'd go

McDonnell
Makinson
Turner
Percy
Swift
Wheeler
Wello

That team doesn't answer the kicking problem?

And putting two kids in that ain't ready doesn't solve any problems.

We need to get wheeler playing like a halfback and start getting more involved. He's to laid back. He's got a decent kicking game. We not asking for 40/20s, just put a good kick deep on last to turn them around. It's basic for a halfback which he's played all his life as a kid and in saints youth set up.


McDonnell and swift coming in is a no Brainer for me. They have the individual ability to beat men and make breaks. We ain't going to win games with playing rugby.

Putting a kid in might answer more than simply praying wheeler does what we've all been hoping for 6 years? Even if it's American football style they are hidden from play until the last when all they have to do is kick it, they'd offer more than wheeler did tonight.

Wheeler is never going to be a "dominant" half, but he had his umpteenth chance to prove he was capable of influencing a result tonight and we got what we got every other time. Einstein said the definition of madness was doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results!

Agreed with McDonnell, we've brought him in for a reason so we should use him, I don't know what's going on with swift, but Dawson sounded like he had a downright bad game tonight so should see his reintroduction.

Some key performers missing tonight for saints but we deserved the win in what was a sloppy game for both at times, best of luck with the rest of the season, #COYH.

I can't believe Saints managed to lose to such and mediocre team, mediocre club.

steady on, we're not that good

I expected the loss so I'm not too shocked.

Season is over. What's the point in trying to win the league with no HBs? No side could do it.

God help us against Leeds and Warrington. Another two embarrassments will probably be added to the rest of them that we've had this season.

It's just diabolical that we are in the same situation again regarding the halves.

Very very poor by the club. Even if Wilkin and Lance was fit, we still no chance of winning the grand final.

We can't keep going on with playing short in key positions year in and year out.

My god, some of your fans are embarrassing. You are top of the league....Hull have been due this type of result for a while.

Can't remember a season when so many clubs at the top just lose games they would once win quite easily, do these coaches and clubs not understand how expensive travel and tickets are these days?

At least we match the team then.

Same goes for Wigan and Leeds courtesy of Wakefield and Bradford, we are not alone in these scenarios.
I can give you 6 or 7 reasons in Saints case.

Awww diddums. Top of the league and the team is an embarrassment?

Fact is we have our pivot players out for the season and will struggle from now on, doesn't make those players toiling on the pitch in bad circumstances an embarrassment, but there are a few fans who fit that bill

Other than catching us cold early on and a piece of individual brilliance from manu, you offered nothing at all attacking wise and we looked defensively comfortable all night. Your kicking game was pretty much non existent and an aggressive and enthusiastic Hull forward pack dominated yours for most of the game.

Playing wellens at FB also made things easier for Hull as you know that although he is safe, he's not going to offer any real threat on his kick returns. mcdonnell would have been a much better attacking option for you.

Watching you without recognised halfs was pretty much like watching Hull for much of the last 7 years. Plenty of effort but no real direction or threat and you have no chance of making the GF with the personnel you have.

I don't think the team is a embarrassment. I think we've had some embarrassing performances but to be top of the league for most of the season means we must be doing something right.

It's just so frustrating that the clubs lack of signing a genuine halfback to partner Walsh has cost us our best chance in many years of the league leaders and a trip to old Trafford.

I posted before the season started that not having a "proper " 6 could come back to bite us on the bum and sorry to day it has.

(Please don't say lance is a genuine 6 because he's not. He's played well this year but he's not a genuine 6 and never will be)

Was just thinking the same thing, I dont think some of the fans on here are of the right standard for a team battling for top spot with 4 out of the 5 playmakers out for the season.

Fair enough there is certain levels of acceptance after a defeat, but some fans on here are definitely "London Broncos" standard.

We all want Wheeler and Turner to do well but in defeat its the usual fickle suspects who come in quickly to condemn it.

Do you not think the clubs lack of having two halfbacks like every other team in world rugby has ruined our season ?

Just in case you missed it, Lance has been excellent at 6 this season.

Its attitude that has played its part this season. If you go on the Leeds board there is a thread identifying this fact and is a reflection of superleague this year.

Lance had played well but he's not played like a genuine 6. Would you feel safe with lance being our ball player, directing us round the park and providing a kicking game?

By the way, I'm one of very few who have stuck up for lance.

He did well enough vs Leeds at LP. Leon Pryce wasn't a "genuine" halfback by the same arguments Hohaia isn't.

When people say "we need 2 halfbacks" what they actually mean is we need a 4th player who can play in the halves behind the 3 who we currently have who can play there competently... But that doesn't quite have the same affect.