With regards to monaghan taking over as coach i did not realise he had retired from playing given the amount time he is on the pitch for Catalan!!

yes, he retired years ago mate.

Given the league position I doubt the club would be publicising any player contract extension talks that are going on at the moment.

I'm sure it would go down like a lead balloon if we had one of those "three sign new deals till end of 2019" announcements.

imagine it now haha

"Rhys Evans pens new 4 year deal"

......... and Russell inducted into our Hall of Fame!!

Its okay, Smith left some youngsters in the 17 to be the scapegoats, so I'm guessing both Livett & Johnson will be dropped for the Saints game...

Leaves them in and their scapegoats. Drops them and their scapegoats. Can't win really can he? Who do you suggest he should've played instead?

It was an ironic reflection on how the coach seems to make the younger players the scapegoats for the team's poor performance, whilst the senior ones who fail to raise their game seem immune to criticism / being dropped .

Unfortunately they are un-droppable... (is that even a word?)

Is it just me? I'm kind of enjoying the situation we find ourselves in because its a change. Instead of being consistently the best team on gods earth - which, to be honest, I think was becoming a bit boring, were now experiencing a bit of life as it is for the lesser mortals. OK I know its not for real and the inevitable magic will happen at some stage, but for the time being lets just enjoy life in the basement.

in the past few seasons i have found games stressful and nervous affairs.

This season i have just spent half the game laughing at the TV... far less stress involved when you're expecting your team to get beat easily every time they play.