I never said that now did I.

But there were some serious questions to be asked.

Do you mean questions like “why was Ainscough’s try given when the pass from wee Tommy Leuluai was clearly a yard and a half forward?”

I’ve watched this back several times, I suggest you do too before replying

How Hock didn't end up in the bin for punching sinfield in a tackle??
How all the wigan fans saw hock have the ball stripped at least twice but missed it when it happened to peacock??
How smith missed all the facials and markers not square??
How when the rules are clear you still can't accept that hocks try was rightly disallowed??

Compared to our pre-Grand Final performance - absolutely. We're like a team that doesn't know what to do next. However, I could be made to look like a total hysteric on Friday night if they all suddenly gel and discover what to do now the PTB has slowed down! But if they play on Friday like they have been playing so far, you will tear us to shreds (assuming you can get past our defence which, on the whole, is still standing from last season).

I have really no idea whether we will be 'up there' come October. This time last year when we were also somewhat dodgy because I knew the coach and knew the players I was confident, even when we lost to you at about the same time last year, that we would get our act together as the season passed. But things have changed now and so I just don't know.

I've got my ticket though and I will sneak some hard stuff into my flask of warming coffee (it's due to be chilly apparently but dry). That way, I might make it through the trauma of being tonked at home by Leeds!

Give over.

Saints should be 5 from 5 and only are not due to a shocking refereeing performance from Smith in the second half, despite not playing particularly coherently this season. This doesn't smack of a side who 'don't know what to do next and cant gel due to a slow PTB'.

Saints defence is still strong and if we sort out our ball retention, Friday will be a ding dong. FWIW I favour Leeds due to them looking better right now but Saints aren't that bad.

Meli has gained his Visa and could be in the squad for Saints against Leeds.

We're doomed, doomed I tell you.

Phil Bentham has never controlled a St Helens V Leeds SL Regular Rd fixture so has no form for this fixture.

Bentham with St Helens : SL Reg Rd only

Pl 17, Won 13, Drawn 0, Lost 4

Bentham with Leeds : SL Reg Rd only

Pl 14, Won 9, Drawn 1, Lost 4

1 Brent Webb
2 Scott Donald
3 Lee Smith
4 Keith Senior
5 Ryan Hall
6 Danny McGuire
7 Rob Burrow
8 Kylie Leuluai
10 Jamie Peacock
11 Jamie Jones-Buchanan
13 Kevin Sinfield (C)
14 Matt Diskin
16 Ryan Bailey
17 Ian Kirke
18 Carl Ablett
19 Luke Burgess
20 Ashley Gibson
22 Danny Allan
23 Kallum Watkins

Four defeats from 14 - higher than the club's win/loss ratio over the time he's been in SL?

I use % of points available to compare.

Phil Bentham's first SL game in charge was 11th September 2005 RD 27 fixture between Wakefield and Hull.

Therefore taking RD 27 2005 as the baseline:

Leeds (SL Regular Rds only) Pl 89, Won 64, Drawn 1, Lost 24..... 72.47%

With Bentham in charge (SL Regular Rds only) Pl 14, Won 9, Drawn 1, Lost 4..... 67.86%

Statistically he despises Leeds.



In fact removing Bentham and leaving the rest, Leeds' % would rise to 73.33%

Boo Hiss.

No big Ali for friday, shame because he always plays well against Saints.

That he does. Saints will be pleased.

Almost everyday I think about that huge hand-off he gave Gidley in the '07 Grand Final, which lead to him scoring. Raw power. You don't do that to Gidley by chance.

I think I'll have a moment.

Make sure you clean up after.

We'll see, worst case: it'll just dry and leave clinkers. Scrape it off later?

.............and back to images of Ali............

Him leaving Wellens for dead and going the length in the playoff game?

It seems the golden Ali moments relate to Sainst games at the back end of the season. he was electric in the 70-0 too.

whether its just a niggle or not, I would prefer that he rest it, so that he can come back firing for the CC game and the rest of the tough run in we have in April

2005?

Saints are not 5 from 5 because Mr Graham decided to neglect his marker post (and very obviously too when I watched it back on video after the match!). Hull KR did a real attack jobbie on us that night and all we could do in response was drop the bleeding ball all over the spot.

I've no idea why they look clueless on the pitch, don't seem to be gelling and can't keep hold of the ball (except for that nifty try just before halftime against Salford, which was more like the Saints I'm used to!). I've just put it down to slower PTBs because I'm just guessing. They could all be eating too much for all I know. We just don't look like a team that is going to get anywhere with a Leeds on fire is all.

But still, they may well surprise me. At least Meli has returned so they won't all be getting cross in the training sessions anymore! It'll be interesting to see how Armstrong (or whoever) copes on the wing against the Rhinos. Methinks they may be aiming at our left flank all night (nothing new there mind you).

yep


I was already celebrating before he got over the halfway line

Is it possible for all match threads to be stickied?

Leeds by 12.

Agreed

I'd back Leeds in this. I'll be rooting for you aswell, can't be supporting Lancs now can I

. Leeds by 18.

Cannay see a comeback