Smith is showing his man management skills with players like Savelio and McIntosh.

I've read players from his Leeds and Warrington teams saying how good he is at this. He takes time to get to know players individually and personally, what makes them tick, their plans outside of RL etc.

Dodd and Lomax miles better than Clifford too eh?

If I was being really cynical I would say Jack Smith doesn’t like Kendall and was trying to embarrass him by showing him what happens when you let both teams have a fair crack of the whip. And generally I think Smith is pretty inconsistent. Brilliant performance from Hull.

Only caught the last 15 minutes or so of the game last night but great result and well played (that Litten try defo should've stood IMO and was a great finish). Always nice to see one of the "big boys" get a spanking and whilst you expect it won't derail their season is there a genuine chance Saints might miss out on the 6?

On recent form do you reckon you can squeeze into the mix?

Who do you reckon will be the 2 to miss out from the current top 8? (I've left Leeds out as playing e even though they're 2 points behind you).

I think we will just miss out on the play offs, but at the start of the season I didn't expect us to make them anyway. As we keep saying, this is a transition year. Huge changes behind the scenes, new coaching staff, new training facilities. We've had players leave already (Evans), players announce they are leaving (Dwyer, Swift and Satae) and players we thought would be leaving, playing well enough to potentially get new deals (Taylor, Houghton, Griffin and Andre).

Next year I would expect us to be a different proposition, but for the remainder of this year, it will be good to get some more youngsters blooded, maybe move Clifford to marquee and buy some extended commitment from him to stay for a couple more years, and hoepfully the announcement of a couple of big forwards and a new hooker for next year

Clifford is a class act but so are Dodd and lomax

Fingers crossed we keep Clifford cause he makes everything tick

Clifford has been a great signing but I would add that Trueman has really impressed me too. They make a great partnership.

Yep for all the plaudits that Clifford is and has been getting, Trueman since his long awaited debut after his injury is just getting better and better. The pair of them certainly seem to work and compliment each other, if we can keep Clifford for next season and they continue improving the partnership it would be hard to argue against them being one of the best pairings in SL next year.

They are both a genuine threat with their passing, kicking and running individually or when linking up along with Hoy.

They are a pleasure to watch.

Trueman defence is top notch too I think that's also helped the team out.

Cant have it both ways.

Anyone think we could run next season with Houghton and McNamara?
That would give us the ability to bring in two overseas front rows and a second row
The resting comment about Dwyer seems that he is now out of the picture and McNamara likely to get a run now at nine

It could be an option depending on what oversees forwards are available but we're crying out for some creativity at 9, Houghton has been great this season but he's not getting any younger and Ben Mac hasn't played that much hooker, I'd like to see us bring in a quality 9 I'd possible, wonder if Joey Lussick would be available, doesn't seem to play much at Saints.

I'd still want a new 9 tbh.
Dwyer has hardly played the last few weeks, and when he does he gets in the way. I'd agree at giving McNamara his spot in the 17 to see how he goes.

I thought that was Truemans best game for the club.He is slowly building confidence and when he starts to run the ball more he will be a real threat.
If we could only keep that spine together for a couple more seasons and with the acquisition of some big mobile overseas forwards we could have a real team on our hands that is not only difficult to beat but will be attractive to watch

Think you can add Wigan coach Matt Peet to that shortlist as he always gracious in defeat