I only mentioned the clapping thing as it was something I observed at the end of the Hudds game. I hand't noticed it before, and it was mainly the fact that Chris Hill was insisting on all the group applauding the fans together. As I said earlier, I didn't know if it was intentional or not but I did question his mindset as his mannerisms didn't reflect that of someone hellbent on helping Warrington secure the GF win.

However, that may well be just his natural way. He's not been poor, and neither has been marquee standard. He's doing an okay job, and unless there's a ready-made match-winning drop-goal-kicking organiser waiting in the wings, then I guess he'll do a job for us.

Why should Roberts clap the fans when all they do is sh*t on him? He's not been great, but the effort is there. I'm sure he knows himself he hasn't been what he wanted to be here. 54 pages on here alone of 99% of posters telling him to go home, stuff the fans. Hope he kicks us to a win in the GF and doesn't look back.

Don't think it's really about the clapping but the unity of the team at the end of a hard fought victory. Being part of a team is more than playing the game it's all the other things as well.

I’m all in favour of team unity, just don’t understand the applauding the fans thing. I am a great believer in actions speak louder than words. In these circumstances translated as “give your all in the match and I’m happy”. You don’t need to applaud me for turning up. “Don’t give your all in the match then don’t bother applauding me” it won’t make me think any better of you.

Must have been waiting to post that, funny that majority of the time he is one of last in from walking round the pitch. I recall thinking that on the occasions I've been there after the game.

He just doesn't do enough attacking. He effort us all there. He might do enough....and enough will do so long as we win the GF.
But
Enough isn't enough to stop the grumblings when it looks to me/us like he's holding something back.

Agreed I'm not a fan n not a hater he has just not worked out for us

But the whole thing abut him not doing the lap is laughable 9/10 he walks round the pitch n one of last in the changing room yet its brought up on the odd occasion he doesn't. Fact he ignored hill says more about his authority as captain than it does about Roberts imo

Probably still struggling to understand Leyth

In a way I think Barba has extracted the urine more than Roberts has. Roberts has clearly not settled from day one and admitted it early doors, I suspect it is very difficult to preform at your best in those circumstances. Barba has put in a dazzling cameo, not for Saints but to attract NRL suitors, and then switched off.

I think there is more in Barba.
I think he's been injured but more significant is how weak Saints pack depth is and has been throughout Barba playing out of early form.

Still I hope I'm completely wrong and he's just shat.

Barba's kick returns and exploiting broken play prior to playing us (and maybe before then) were a different class to anyone in SL. Since he isn't making these big plays and the yards and points that come off the back of them, Saints no longer look head and shoulders above the rest. This surprises me somewhat, as I don't think they're a one man team. There must also be a drop off in the standard of others at Saints, and I don't think it's just coincidence with how Barba's performing and the stories of him doing one. I hope that we'll be better off without Roberts next season, for it must be difficult for a group of players who have a main pivot who's not 100% committed to the cause.

I am pretty sure Barba’s problem was that someone else extracted his urine. Right after he’d powdered his nose.

Interesting that this thread drifted onto Barba.

Roberts was the best half on the field tonight, a top game. Taking the line on, holding the ball up nicely for Hughes and Big Ben to run onto, a 40/20, some nice clearances and just one dodgy one that went too far. Well done, another game like that would go down well.

Winning drop goal in the final? That'd be so funny.

As usual the half-witted "negs" have given Alf far too much stick. He wasn't too bad tonight. Not sure what he did at the end of the game ... did he clap the Wire crowd etc.
Playing half-back is not that easy.