I thought we did well tonight. Wakefield held out in the initial arm wrestle and came back at us with two superb tries (Both highlighted Wello's lack of pace). I thougth the last 10 in the first half and the first twenty in the second half were excellent. Not the Saints of old, but dominant and well executed play.

Keiron Cunningham may be retiring but he is still absolutely essential to our organisation and his influence over the team is almost hypnotic, it all seems to go rather pear shaped when he takes a break, whether he's actually involved in the play or not, it seems his presence just inspires the belief.

Honourable mentions tonight to Jammer, Maurie and especially Bryn Hargreaves. His spells on the pitch were full of effort and far more effect than last season, I thought he played really well against a strong Wakefield pack. But the MOM for me tonight was Super Leon Pryce. He was everywhere, tackling like a demon, encouraging the players, geeing them up and advising them. His attacking play was direct and always threatening. His work up the middle, as ever, was sensational making the selfless runs up the middle to get so many sets motoring. Kyle had a good game as well and I think those two could work out to be a great partnership once they learn to play together a bit more.

But the struggle we had to close the game out at the end shows we are no longer the Elite in Super League (With Leeds of course). We are now one of many and pretty much every game is going to be difficult, which I suppose is how it should be. Top 4 would be a great achievement. Hull, Huddersfield, Wakefield, Warrington and Wigan all look as good as us this season, so there could be plenty of close games ahead.

I said after the Hull FC game if Saints were to have a good season Leon Pryce had to start taking more responsibility on his shoulders and really up his game.

3 games on and he's done that by the looks of it and your thriving on the back of it.

It's an exciting league this season without question. The game on Good Friday should be a beauty.

its nice to receive some recognition at last! most tipsters had us outside the top 8.looking forward to the return at belle vue,good luck for the rest of the season

Thought we beat a very good team tonight, Wakefield like Wigan have hit the ground running for the start of this season.
I,m hoping the quicker play the balls continue this season as this will play to our strengths.
Roby and Jammer were impressive tonight in defence and attack, like to see Roby continue at loose forward with Moore/Cunningham at hooker.

You fail to mention that Saints only haf 2 subs for almost 55 minutes once again (just like the Hull game). Both Gidley and Ashurst could not return.

We was out on our feet at the end. Excellent effort Saints. Welldone.

I didn't notice that to be honest. Shows how little involvement Gidley has these days.

R u on Glue, Gidley is the greatest Centre ever to wear a Saints jersey that I have seen. Better than Walsh and Meninga (only a fraction on those 2), but well in front of Loughlin, Ropati, McCracken, Newlove and Lyon. Give him another season at least.

Better than Lyon my backside.

I have no problem with the talent the man has or his attitude or commitment, I just think he's been awfully quiet over the last 12 months.

Come on mate, Lyon is better than Gidley, no doubt.

He's on Glue alright!

Newlove was one of the best attacking centres I've ever seen - awesome!

And he did it for Saints for far longer than Lyon or Gidley.

However the flat play from slow play-the-balls has altered the defensive line while attacking and ultimately thats altered Gidleys game and thats partly why we've seen less of him.

Anyway back to the game:

Great effort with 15 players entertaining and excioting for a change which we've not said too often recently. Well done Wakey they are a good side with surprising pace in the backs and good go-forward they will go well this season.

I can't wait for all our players to be back fit and well, because if we throw the ball around we could be a force to be reckoned with.

Sadly I was confined to the radio last night and the first quarter of the second seemed to be our undoing. If last night was to be our last visit to Knowsley Road (barring any cup meetings) at least we went down fighting. Good luck for the rest of the season Saints.

PS: At least we're still above the whinosicon_smile.gificon_smile.gif

That the same Gidley who was man of the match last week?

He feeds on reactions.

With King Kez on the park we won 22-0 last night, whilst he was on the sideline, we lost 16-0 ...........coincidence or reason to worry?


As for Gidley.........he's one of the best, but I'd have him behind Meninga, Lyon and Newlove for sure.

Kyle was given his head again, and we were at sixes and sevens, only when Leon took control did we look owt like ourselves.
We looked a more settled side when Cunnigham came back on, Wello got caught out of position and short of pace a couple of times.

When I read your original post I was concerned that someone had hacked your account - this has reassured me that everything's fine.

We won at Bradford and Catalans and Kieron was on compassionate leave.

What does that say?

(Just asking!)

I don't know......Bradford and Catalan are c**p, perhaps ?

But that's going to be the case, isn't it, because we have an apprentice on board. If he can learn how to organise, make the judgments and take the decisions then in the long term we will have a cracker running the ship. In the meantime, though, we just have to hope we don't get too seasick! (Sorry about the overblown seafaring analogy there)


Yet I think the Moore/Roby combo brought more pace to the side. Love him though I do, Cunningham is slower and he's also a bit prone to hesitation, often near the tryline!

does sad lad ever have anything good to say about wello, miserable sod go put your head in the oven

illuminating as ever.

chatting to a mate of mine who's a wire fan, consensus is gidley is probably the most dangerous opposition player with ball in hand inside opp 20. when hes running at the line he usually scores or creates. been a top player for you guys and is still not done.

lyon obviously was great, never quite got the fuss with newlove mind.

Gidley has been a great signing and the ideal centre to replace Lyon when he went but no way is gidley in the same league as Lyon, newlove, big mal, iro or even scot Gibbs.

We've had gidley when he's past his best but still one of best centres in super league.

Newlove was world class.