I just think they’ve come back to the pack in terms of not being able to play at their cup final intensity week to week anymore. They spent a few seasons playing 90% of games at an intensity most teams could only get close to in the play offs, semi finals, finals etc and I don’t think that is there for them anymore. They are now doing what we’ve done for years (and we’ve shown it this past few weeks) and what other sides have done and are flicking a switch when the biggest games come around, as you say. I agree it’s risky in a way but it also doesn’t make them any less dangerous in the biggest games ‘if’ they can get to their best levels. I think they’ve shown already on a few occasions this season that they can get to extremely high levels, so they’ll still take some beating.

I hope they crash and burn like and I do see a real drop off coming in the next few years but it’s not there yet.

Roby leaving will be a big shock. He seems able to get on the field and grab a game by the scruff of the neck. I don’t see that in their other players

Absolutely

I think this is spot on.

I don’t want this comment to come across arrogant but I do believe if every team played to their maximum potential we are still the best side and I genuinely don’t think there’s many honest people who will disagree. However we are hitting that level far less frequently this year than in previous years and I also think they gap between our best and yours for example is closer this year than previously. So all it takes is us being slightly off it and there’s 7 or 8 teams who could beat us.

The fact we are where we are in the table and yet still clear favourites to win the GF tells you that we are still “the team to beat” and the most likely to turn it on when it matters, but this is the least confident I’ve been of winning it at this stage then in any of the previous years.

If someone offered me the Challenge Cup now (to go with the WCC) and that’s the lot for the season then I’d happily take it. The season has a feeling that it could be one step too far for us in terms of this run we’ve had, but I won’t be writing us off yet.

Shut up you clown.

Quality YG, you've just gone up in my estimation.

I know unrelated to this particular thread but watching that dire performance from Huddersfield last night, they have the same issues as Saints but on a much higher level. Saints clearly have a much higher calibre of player but they both have ageing sides. They both have major rebuilds on but Huddersfield's side needs completely gutting. Saints at least have something to build on, Welsby (potentially) Batchelor, Lees, Sironen, Dodd (potentially), and the young prop who played a few weeks ago, can't remember his name but he looked a good prospect.

To be honest I have a sneaky feeling we may see a new name on the SL trophy this year (and it's not Wire).

Catalans are quietly going under the radar, done us twice so far. Look very strong at home*. They look a very organised side that will beat anyone on their day.


*Watch them get pumped by Leigh now.

Big difference as well is those players mentioned it’s clear they’ll run through brick walls for the club. I don’t see that with Huddersfield. They’ve just thrown money around

Watson says he’ll have tough conversations and ship people out. Weird thing is, he shipped most of them in to begin with. He just looks like he’s been found out to me. Loads of talk for a while now that Gleeson and Rowley propped him up at Salford and he’s not doing much to dispel those rumours.

Jake Connor, Sam Halsall, Harvey Livett, Esan Marsters and Matty English all playing in the reserves.

What a mess.

They went quantity over quality for a really weird reason because all they needed was to add some pace/x factor to an already solid team. How do you keep so many first team players happy? His answer recently was to go and sign another bog average player in Adam Milner.

His game plan is so boring and I can’t say I’m surprised the players look downbeat. He had a reputation as an attacking coach when he went there and it’s clear as day that wasn’t him at Salford. I can’t say I’m too upset he’s struggling because his manner really grates on me at times. The way he openly speaks about players he wants to sign from other clubs (Bibby in cup final week being one) is so disrespectful.

I was one calling for Watson to come in last season before we announced Peet. I was adamant there was nobody better for the job. I got that wrong (but did come round to the idea of Peet pretty quick), although they were excellent last season to be fair but their recruitment has been nothing short of woeful this season. It's ok him talking about tough conversations but he has designed a side that is miles off the standard. The only player i would have out of their side is Luke Yates (as Pryce has already gone) the rest are just cannon fodder.

Talking about ageing sides and we have a pretty youthful squad that is preparing to charge through past them all. I predict a very successful few season ahead for us, Catalans will be our nearest challengers for a bit. Saints will need time and Wellens has to get it right with recruitment or it sets them back a few seasons and Warrington will always be Warrington, throw money at it, ignore the academy and fail every time. Leeds are a bit behind us but Hull KR could be the springer in the next few seasons to sustain a challenge and i hope they do (just not in July) i have alrewady mapped out my August weekend and booked the long weekend off work. Watch them tonk us now, cursed them.

Matty English would be a good pick up for us if we gave it a try

As a Saints fan I care about winning the Cup