I do admire Saints, but I have to say that I don't enjoy watching them anymore. They used to be the team that I wanted to watch on a Friday night, but I don't enjoy their style now. Whether that changes with Graham departing I'm not sure, I think Roby would have to leave to force a real style change.

You have to have admiration for what they've done this year, they have a priceless ability for their younger players to just slot in & look the part in a non-showy sort of way. I think we're making strides on this, Evans & O'Brien for example whilst not getting the time they'd like looked the part sort of instantly.

What a nice thread! I honestly wouldn't be bothered if Saints won on Saturday as I have alot of respect for them. As mentioned be nice to see Graham bow out with a winners ring.

I wanted them to win last year; be nice if graham won something and the joke is good but 5 in a row is too much

I just wanted to say thanks to you guys for all your kind words. They are much appreciated. I must admit I was amazed you never got to OT this year but I guess these things happen. You got one round further than last year so Grand Final next year maybe.

The ludicrous playoff system screws the rightful and worthy champions out of what they worked so hard for and rightfully achieved throughout the season. You guys might not be my favourite club, but you play the game the way it should be played (the way Saints [iused[/i to play it), have been in a different class to everyone else week-in week-out and hopefully set the example for the way forward for everyone else to follow. God help the future of RL if everyone starts playing like Wigan instead...

I think our style is simply the result of having to keep things simple to facilitate (a) two rookie halves and (b) various rookies coming in and out of the team all season as a result of silly injury levels. Royce Simmons is reputed to coach open, attacking rugby and I know our Chairman is in favour of that style. Maybe we will have a chance to develop it more in the off season, with some stability in our ranks.

I gotta fess I felt for Wire fans last Friday night. That result must have come as a real shock. I was hoping Wire would make it through to the GF.

Delighted that Wigan didn't though!

I don't think Saints style now is any less interesting than the one they had from 2005-2008 when they were the dominant team under Daniel Anderson. The days when they were the great entertainers were back when they had Tommy Martyn and Anthony Sullivan striking from deep. When Saints were really at their best they used to play simple rugby, quick playtheballs, catch the opposition offside, penalty, kick to touch to get within striking range, then Cunningham or Scully go over for a crashover try.

It's much easier to play entertaining rugby when you are already 18 points to nil up.

I agree with that, I thought Daniel Anderson when he brought an emphasis shift and talked about 'enjoying defending' slowly eroded the off the cuff Saints style that Millward seemed to promote. Since then, during Potter's reign and now Simmons I've just felt they're quite dull to watch, not because I expect them to throw the ball around on their own 10m line or anything, just in that they don't seem to have any new plays in the last 5 years. It's always that sort of wraparound play that they used with Pryce or they hurt you when close to your line.

I think a lot of this is due to personnel, stick to what you're good at. When you have Roby, Meli, Graham etc that are all a threat close to the line, just get there and let them be effective.

I think James Graham leaving may force them to change style a tad. They might have to have more of a threat from deep, simply because their go forward may be easier to contain, time will tell.

you konw what, i have to agree with most of the above posts, i'm really chuffed that saints beat the pies last week & i hope they beat leeds on saturday!

I agree. Saints in the "entertainers" days never used to throw it about until they had a decent lead. A;though, I've seen us throw it about early doors lot's of times this season.

I agree with all the above posts r.e Saints. The bedrock of their success has been bringing through home grown talent and mixing them with international players. Kind of missed Knowsley Road this year. Great TV atmosphere if that makes any sense. Also get a high level of knowledge from their fans.

We can all say this now we have beaten them home and away. Before that...

yep that has helped.

Was actually the last GF for me, losing four on the trot ffs!

I just can't help have respect for a team that seems to breed success. Leeds too really. They had so much success in the SL era through a lot of genuine youth products. Under the salary cap and playing open attractive rugby.

They haven't resorted to dubious tactics or negative rugby, yes saints have played to their strengths of late, which basically means an axis of roby and graham, but in the background their youngsters have really come of age. This is what RL is all about for me.

Also in general their fans come across so much better than others, more class and more grace.

Lets be honest Saints and Leeds success over the SL is era is something they should both be very proud of.

I think you're being a bit unfair on Tony Smith because he is building that culture at Warrington. If you can't see that then I am at loss to help you because the drive for that culture at your club is evident in your on-the-field performances. It's a lot harder than people think to make the leap from serious contenders to Grand Final winning team. It took Leeds six years to convert contending into a league winning team and they had a lot more advantageous position than you when they started e.g. top-rated academy, larger talent pool to choose from. Be patient and it will come.

I think you have misinterpreted my initial post mate,

I know he is building a culture, and in no way i am being unfair on TS, the man is a legend.

What i was getting at is the culture at saints that has done so well over the past few years where they haven't had the personell on paper and have been ruined by injuries yet are able to compete at the highest level regardless.