Quote: ninearches "W71 ,when you look at Saints though, they have this knack of getting players who are committed to the "cause". They don't even necessarily get the best players but they get the best out of them.'"
It's the environment and the constant pursuit of the highest standards. They attract ambitious players who want to win the title (rather than players who want to get the largest contract). Players are then absorbed into the existing winning culture. They also have very strong leaders on the pitch who lead by example.
Meanwhile we say things like "I’ve got to be happy with the shift they put in" whilst selecting Drinkwater, Dudson, Mata'utia at al week in week out, giving journeyman players long contracts and then be surprised why we don't win.
Soft underbelly? Pack "too nice"? Embarrassing comments. At Wilderspool we used to be a hard side. We are powder puffs now. Not a hint of menace in any forward.
Unless we change this we will never progress. Anyone inside the club who makes an excuse or accepts where we are in the league is part of the problem.