Don't forget Davies and also the fact that we have never replaced T or Hamlin.

Aye, I was leaving Davies out on the basis Manfredi and Burgess would probably be first choice and Tautai wouldn’t be in our best 17 but Hamlin probably would’ve been. I guess you could say that for Kev Brown also though, had he been fully fit.

All in all based on fully fit squads at the start of 2019, they were 4 first choice 17 lads down and we were probably 6 down. Only goes to prove the headline was bonkers.

Marshall is in front of Burgess, I’d have Hardaker Manfredi Hankinson Gildart Marshall French Hastings next season

I wish that more of players played with his spirit, especially in the forwards.

It's role reversal for our respective clubs in the last two months, where Wigan had problems in the camp that now appear to be clearing, whereas were in a right hole, with a serious attitude problem in our camp.

I can't remember having such a low expectation of an impending cup final.

Bottom line is, I cant see anything other than a treble for Saints.

I'd argue Brown too as a pre season was wasted and we'd only just signed Smith.

Aye, I mentioned him a bit further down. Realistically you were 4 down on a first choice 17 and we were minimum 5 and probably 6.

Not like it matters, everyone (bar Saints these past two years) gets runs of injuries are rarely go in with anything less than 4 or 5 players out. It was just a silly headline from the BBC.

Boring game which was finished by half time. Wigan played alright, Warrington were dreadful and if Price doesn’t manage to fluke a final they should get rid. Looking like a Saints vs Wigan Grand Final with a Saints win. Wigan and Warrington are both nowhere near.

Shockingly poor trolling, must try harder

if youre going down that route then I would throw in Hamlin and Tauti

Enjoy the treble.

Admit it, you’re bricking it

I think that’s a fair assessment.

I don’t think our pack is a match for St Helens’ though it is improving. Smithies, Partington and Byrne have had a few more games under their belts since the St Helens game. We shouldn’t forget they are squad numbers 24, 34 & 38 though! This shows where they were at the start of the season.

If we make it to the GF, and that’s still a big if imo it will ultimately come down to who plays better and handles the occasion on the day. I’m very happy with how our season has turned around though I think the GF will be one step too far.

And your pack is broadly the same one that bottled it last year. What does that prove? The fact is we are 9 from 10, playing better by the week and with Flower, O'loughlin and possibly Bullock to add to the pack that is now going well. The young lads have come of age since the Saints match too so I'm not sure it is the 'same' in real terms.

Will it be enough come October? Who knows but there's certainly room for optimism. Will Saints bottle it again come October? Who knows but again there's room for optimism.

One thing I do know and that is if we're lining up against you at Old Trafford you won't be going into that game without worrying we'll do a number on you.

Don't know about that - we played most of last year without our best prop Walmsley and had a badly fading Wilkin and plodding Luke Douglas in the pack that lost to wire. The likes of Thompson/Ashworth/Lees/Knowles are another year and another offseason on too. I'd say our pack this year is a long way stronger than the pack we took into the play-offs, but I take your point.

That said, I don't think we lost out due to our weaker pack last year, what cost us was Barba/Richardson being very flimsy in defence late on in a game we were winning.



Just my opinion - the young lads have been playing well for sure - no question.



I said as much by referencing we could well still bottle it - so of course I would be worries in the same way I am worried we might lose to Wire on Saturday. But it is not your form or teamsheet (or that of Warrington) that concerns me, but our potentially flakey mentality.

Like I said though - just my opinion.