No idea what has happened to the formatting on this new site! I didn't post the above with large spaces in between paragraphs like that 

Surprised with Bell going, in additional to Knowles already going. Maybe that Smithies rumour has some legs. It would make sense from a quota perspective because any rebuild will need as many spots as is available. 

Interested to see how tonight goes. It's easy to say Saints haven't played anyone and while it's not been the stiffest run, they've looked good in the bits I've seen. I'm actually pretty pleased that is the case because the Derby on Good Friday should be one hell of an occasion if both sides form holds. As ever, Saints will be a threat this season if they can keep players fit. It's been a promising start of Percival, Walmsley, Paasi etc on that score but it's a long season. 

Be interesting seeing how overrated Saints fans think he is

Very! A few don't want him, with one saying it's because of the 6 or 7 games a season he misses with suspension (he missed 9 in 4 seasons from what I could see) and many saying he isn't fit to lick Knowles boots (whose discipline didn't get mentioned funnily enough) but the facts are that Smithies would be just about the best replacement they could realistically get for Knowles. Young, talented, British, a leader, aggressive, great defensively etc etc. All the things they're losing in Knowles (although Knowles isn't young). 

Saints surely have to get young Whitby in to the side at some point this season, to control the kicking game. They were kicking from deep granted but that is probably the poorest half of kicking I've ever seen from a pro team. 

Isn't it great knowing it's another season where Saints aren't a trophy threat. Sailor showed tonight why he couldn't crack the NRL hes scared of his own shadow. 


I can't wait for Nsemba to be let loose at him and Robertson

With a bit of luck Wellens will flog Walmsley between now and GF, he's still their best forward even if he isn't what he was a few seasons back, why he won't play that big lump of a lad  for more than 10mins is another mystery.

Strange night in a few ways for Saints. Walmsley and Paasi look so much closer to their best but the back row were well off and the attack looked back to last year's level, in it's first test against a side expected to be up near the top of the table. It's Welsby or nowt in attack.

The long kicking game was borderline embarrassing. A professional outfit and one hoping to challenge for trophies can't leave themselves that short in such an important area.  Looking at how loathed Wellens is to give a kid like Stephens minutes, when he is clearly capable, I just don't see him doing it but Whitby surely has to come in, be that for Lomax or Sailor or maybe by them switching Sailor to the wing. 

My take on the game when they came against a proper team they struggled with  plan A (obviously no plan B )which was just to bully the opposition as the lack any real ideas of attack,must admit the ex Wigan players showed up well especially Micky (this was a good reason Saints couldn't bully).


Another good game for the neutral to be honest. 

I think the game just confirms what was initially thought about saints at the start of the season they aren’t good enough to challenge the top teams. I was surprised that there was no plan B especially with Briers being a coach, if saints are to challenge they need to get rid of Wellens and the Dads army brigade 

Briers can't do much on attacking play if Saints can't get out of their own half. 
How much of that game was played in the Saints half, 60%, 70% or more? 


The addition of JWH and MM has transformed that Rovers pack.