Tony Smith did wonders with the England team Down Under, didn't he? It's all a question of context. Potter did amazing things with the Dragons and yet he's not had the same degree of success at Saints. We're far less disciplined, our defence is far poorer and our attack - aside from some individual brilliance in the side - is basic on the whole. He also happens to be a cardboard cutout. Rolls has been deputy with the Aussie national team for 18 months and worked alongside one of the best coaches in the NRL for years. I'll take my chances on him, especially since he has a reputation for being a club man, rather than a cardboard cutout. If he brings along a better conditioning setup as well, that would be a bonus.

Correct, its a question of context.

So whats the point of bringing up your Tony Smith point above when it has no bearing on his challenge cup or SL achievements which is what we are discussing ?

Nobody could have got that England team to perform against the best international RL team on the planet and the 2nd best international team on the planet, not even Craig Bellamy or Wayne Bennett would have done much better.

We simply got shown up for what we are at international level which is light years behind the australians and were also behind the kiwis especially when they have a full squad available which isn't that often these days, we have some workld class players in the England team but unfortunately we are not world class from 1-17 and you can't afford to carry passengers against the australians or kiwis when their at full strength.

Anyway, to the point about you falling apart at the seams. Your successful team that has carried you for a long time in SL is falling apart at the seams.

Long has left who was your organiser and lead you round the pitch, Cunningham is set to retire, Talau has left who was class at his peak but he hasn't been replacd with equivelant quality. Sculthorpe retired and again he hasn't been replaced with equivelant quality, Flannery is a solid player but he's no Sculthorpe. Cayless left then you brought Fozzard back to replace him lol.

Hargreaves is another average player you signed, Eastmond is a class act but how often is he appearing for you on the pitch these days ? He's certainly no organiser like Long, who will take your team around the pitch after Long and Cunningham ? Don't say Pryce as ive got a cuppa in my hand at the min, he has just over a handful of decent games a year from what ive seen and he's certainly no organiser in the Long or Cunningham mould and neither is Roby or Eastmond as they are 2 individual off the cuff type players.

Yeh your a bogey team, their are plenty of times we should have beaten you but i aint going down that road.

Especially when there was infighting between players from two teams.

I think im going to put a bet on you lot finishing 3rd but beating Saints at KR in the playoffs in the final game at knowsley road its the inevitable IMO. I'd be terrified if i was a Saints fan.

So you can't win it with a full team, but are in with a chance of winning when missing numerous players?

We will put 60 on quins,I hope cas can still make 8th place,it will give them something to fight for at saints.

then it wouldn't be the final home game.. we'd play at home the week after.. we could only play wire (in the last game at KR) if we won the first game against wire

Because you were talking as if Royce Simmons, because he has not secured any silverware down under, will somehow be bad for Saints. Tony Smith could not secure silverware for the national side but he managed to do it with Wire. It could be that Tony Smith is a better club coach than national coach; and that Royce Simmons will get more out of Saints as head coach than any other team. Look how much success Daniel Anderson had with Saints compared to what is happening to the Eels just now. It's a question of context and I replied in response to your own mocking comment.


I don't think I even brought that up. You said we are falling apart at the seams. If we were, we would have been where Bradford is now. THAT is a team which is falling apart at the seams. Well, fallen, actually. But we have at least been competitive and that is in spite of a persistent injury crisis. Hardly falling apart at the seams!

We will. We've had more than our fair share of Challenge Cup success in the Superleague era and while it would have been nice for Keiron to finish his season by winning at Wembley, most of us are just relieved he hasn't fractured his jaw and that we may actually have some players for the game against Cas.

tbf im glad he`s not broken his jaw,would`nt wish it on anyone,,would be horrible to have his career end in such a way..may be we can upset him by finally putting one over you lot in the playoffs...enjoy the gardening on saturday

I've spent so much time fantasising about this scenario all season that part of me will actually want Saints to beat us in week one in order to ensure it's possible...

Losing toWire anywhere would hurt after all this time but I have a feeling it will be in a final when you beat us...If we can get to one!!

the thing is... its going to happen sooner or later.... first round of the playoffs would be nice.

i honestly believe that we will win this game... i dont think it matters where it is played.

well i hope so anyway