Looking from the outside, it seems that Powell as totally lost the dressing room. The players don't seem to be buying into his way of coaching. Alot of you say it's the players fault, but I'm sure all 17 players can't be wrong. It seems Powell is trying to change to many things too quickly. Senior and international players need to be managed as well as coached. Maybe Powell is the wrong man for the job. Quality players don't become poor players overnight, but poor coaches can destroy confidence and ability by the way they treat players.

Taking a look at our whole squad I think our struggles shouldn’t really be a surprise and they have been coming for some time. Steve Price was much maligned and some of that criticism was justified but in hindsight he probably did a pretty good job just to keep us competitive, without a decent pack leader in Hill and moments of magic from Mano and we’ve dropped right off, here’s my thoughts, for what they’re worth:

Fullback: Ratchford looks spent, seems to have suffered with quite a few niggles over the past few seasons, a bit off the pace, maybe time has just caught up with him. Thewlis looks a real talent and he’d be starting full back week in week out for me.

Wing: Charnleys try scoring record speaks for itself & he seems like he’d be really annoying to play against, Ashton’s pace is a real X factor and he is a constant threat, Minikin, not a superstar, not terrible?

Centre: I think the game as a whole is suffering from a lack of talented centres, they don’t appear to as skilled/exciting to watch as those of days past, but I’ve always thought Kings looked as good a centre as we’ve had in a while, obviously he’s not in the best of form, but I hope class is permanent and form temporary. Mautautia I’ve never really thought much of him to be honest and would prefer to see Wrench in the centres, he looks like he has bags of potential and would benefit from regular games.

Halfback: Both international class half backs, both being paid over the odds for what they’re currently producing on the pitch, granted it might be difficult behind a beaten pack, but not really seeing much value for money, would be nice to see Dean get a run to cover any injuries for example

Hooker: I think we’ve ruined Clark to be honest, pretty much since we signed him our game hasn’t been geared to his strengths and last 18 months or so he seems to have been playing not 100% fit, doubtless he’s still got talent and I’d might be looking to use him as a ball playing loose forward if his skills at dummy half can’t be better used. Walker for me is a breath of fresh air, of late he’s seemed like our only bright spark and it looks like he actually cares, he’d be a candidate as captain for me.

Props: Cooper class but aging, the rest all a bit not amazing not terrible, just a lot of average. Hopefully Harrison once he recovers from injury will be a goodun.

Back Row: Currie is still the pick of the bunch for me but not in the best of form, I didn’t know if he’d come back from his injuries but at times he’s looked like getting back up to his best which let’s be honest was world class, Holmes looks average, Hughes doesn’t offer much, I actually think playing as a prop might suit his skills (or lack of?) better but obviously lacks the size. J.Clark, average, probably waste of cap and quota space and keeping the likes of Longstaff (looks a real prospect) and Robson out the team. Davis I think is superb, tackles and runs above his weight, totally committed, utility value, think we’d be in a much better place if more had his attitude. Magoulias I haven’t seen so can’t comment but not expecting much if I’m honest.

Basically, some talent in there but not really on show currently, and then a lot of average. Good luck to Powell trying to sort it out, but I’d give him plenty of time, fixing our problems won’t happen over night, or even after 5 months with a pre-season under his belt…

Looking very much like the players have threw the coach under a bus.
It’s hard to argue against them not wanting to play for Powell for reasons you may have pointed out. It’s conspiracy theory ideals, but what I’ve learnt about this club, there isn’t much that’s said that isn’t wholly untrue. There’s always something in a rumour here.
Out went Price, the players mate, in comes Powell the players headmaster.

Nah, Whizzy Rascal.
Drove passed the place twice, thought it was funny.. ..Carried on...


I've been lefty goldblatt
You've been a dreadful audience
Goodnight

For the first twenty minutes it looked like you were still on the bus, you really weren't at the races, there was no effort to slow the ptb down which means we just steam rolled you and probably should have scored more before you finally woke up.
I don't like to single out players but I will Joe Bullock, he got sin binned but he definitely runs his size, your best forward by a country mile last night.

Big wraps to the fans that turned up too, especially the lads up at the top who kept singing and dancing till the end.

I’m amazed how kind you lot are being to DP considering the stick Price got, even after a brilliant CC win against Saints…..

I can't work out whether you're Darryl or Steve? If it's Darryl the Mata'utia comment is a genius curveball.

Joking aside, I pretty much agree with all of that.

As an outsider I can’t see how Powell has ‘lost the dressing room’ ? The team performed poorly under Price so I can’t see it being the coach. Maybe there is one or two players who are disrupting the others ? I honestly don’t believe that professional RL players deliberately play poorly.

He’s been here for 8 games not 3 years.

Zero leadership still then. They all seem top comfortable and reluctant to step up, it's just all so disappointing. When matt King showed the finger it showed that he was frustrated, only Danny walker has on occasion looked bothered recently. Widdop and Williams are marquee they really should be leading IMO, for either of them to be hiding is inexcusable, Williams makes too many silly errors like failing to find touch but at least he threatens the opposition defence. What Widdop is doing recently I have absolutely no idea.

First of all, I am a Saint's fan coming in peace.

I can see similarities in your situation now & when Woolfe came to Saint's in 2020.

You had just handed us our ar$e 19-0 then we went on to lose to Huddersfield at home by two points & Castleford then put us to the sword at their place.

Covid came to Saint's rescue because we weren't playing for Woolfe at this point & I believe he was very very close to losing the dressing room.

IMO when James Graham came in he provided the experience & link to get them working as a team again for Woolfe.

I believe that Luke Thompson could have exactly the same impact for you guys.

Would run through brick walls & instantly command the respect of his team mates.

If you could offload a big contract ASAP anything could be possible.