Yes? No?

I notice the boo boys have been a bit quiet lately.

People kicked off when Ellery was sacked, only to be happy enough when he was sacked again not long after. People were up in arms about the sacking of Millward, and wanted Anderson out in his first season, but things soon turned around again. Potter out for the first season, and then......


It's the nature of the beast unfortunately. After seeing what Potter did for Bosc at Catalans, he was always going to be the right man to bring the likes of Kyle through, if only people would give the man a chance.

As i said after the Hull match, my main concerns were our conditioning levels leading to injuries, still a concern, but mostly our style of play. The change in style of play between the Hull game and Bradford a week later was astounding and just what I and many others were asking for.

I dont think Potter's reluctance to communicate with the Media have helped win the fans over.

He just doesn't seem comfortable speaking to the press and is the first coach for a long time not to do a weekly column in the Star.

I think if he came across a bit more friendlier this would help with the fans even if the team aren't playing the way we are used to.

Most people started to want Potter out towards the second half of the season last year, and that was justified in our performances, IMO. We were playing a shocking style of rugby that none of us want to see, and we weren't even doing that well, hence we didn't score over 15 points for so long. I was one that wanted Potter out at that time, as i didn't feel he was the man to lead us forward. Although, i was clinging on to the hope that he would do what Anderson did. By that i mean in his first season, he wasn't the best and people were writing him off also, but after that, he went on to win several trophys. Both there first seasons, were very similar.

However, on this season form and style of play, i am willing to give Potter a chance. Were playing a much better brand of rugby, and were playing pretty well, but we can still improve. Also, this season i think Potter has been a bit more vocal in the media, and i like a coach that is wiling to speak his mind. For example, a few weeks back when he had a bit of a go at the referees. So far this season, so good for Potter i'd say.

I dont care how fan friendly or Sly friendly he is as long as we win and/or play with a bit of style. At the moment we are looking good so I'm happy however the horrors (meaning our style of play NOT results) of last season and the Hull game this year are still too fresh in the memory to be calling him any kind of messiah.

For me Jury's still out.

We're playing good football because we now have a) competition in the backs and b) better backs.

Last season Lomax, Wheeler & Eastmond (to a lesser extent) were just that bit too young and inexperienced, as well as being very much the junior squad members. This season all three appear to have developed into good attacking backs (they've certainly developed physically) relishing the extra responsibility. Eastmond no longer has to work within the shadow of Long. Wheeler is now our strike centre and Lomax is putting enormous pressure on Gardner (who certainly needs a rocket up his ass).

With all three injecting much-needed raw pace into the backline (and competition) the side not-so-co-incidentally starts playing more attractive football.

But no - we REALLY WERE playing conservative rugby under Potter because that's his game. Had nothing to do with fielding the worst Saints backline in 20 years and you'd be a fool and a boo boy to make such an association.

Has Mick actually refused to do the column? I write for League Express and get on great with Mick. Always friendly, answers absolutely everything and always rings back and returns messages. Only about half the coaches in SL are really good with the media, but he's definitely one of them.

Boooooo, Potter out!

all this was true against Hull this year, but we still played pap

You might recall injuries mid game meant we had Roby on the wing and were down on subs (not a good place to be against a massive pack)? You may also recall Hull's first team had played together pre-season? Then again, you might just remember enjoying the pantomime boos

How do you know? I was at that game and the only indication of how we were playing was the scoreboard behind me.

The thing is, we were playing conservative football under Anderson as well. Certainly in comparison to the Millward era anyway.

the same happened at HullKR, but the style of play stayed inventive. I dont doubt that Hull had a longer preseason than us, but the difference in just one week was phenominal

It is possible to have a bad day, you know.

Aside from Lyon, our backline was in deterioration all through Anderson's tenure. Millward benefitted (greatly) from some of the best backs in St. Helens history. I'd say that it's IMPOSSIBLE to play conservative rugby with the likes of Newlove, Iro, Martyn, Sullivan, Long (at his peak) etc. on board.

What?????
Can you show me that post straight after the Hull game?
I assume you're joking.

They had matches though, we didn't. Whilst they may not have been much fitter than us they would have been, and were, much sharper.

As I said at the time:



I wouldn't swap squads with Hull, Huddersfield, Wigan or Warrington. I still think we've a great chance of winning the title this year.

No! Give him an extension to his current deal!

You see, that's the thing about the Potter boo-boys. We all know who they are. I can reel off the names of at least five regular posters who ripped Potter a new hole last season. Yet - curiously - they're NOWHERE TO BE SEEN in this thread. Quiet as dumb doormice they are.

But you just wait till Saints hit the inevitable run of bad form. They'll appear out of nowhere like ninjas - dropping silently from the rafters, a quick run of the sharp blade across Potter's throat and then gone.

Oh Dear Mrs Potter - Poster having opinions on a message board you want to stamp that out.

Potter was slated for dour rugby last season. He was slated for a poor start to this.

He has done really well recently and the praise for his efforts have been reflected
in a variety of posts.

Potter Out !!! (At the end of the season)

Stamp opinions out? What the phuck are you talking about?

It's pretty simple. We were playing rugby that was as dull as dishwater. That was down to both the players and coaching staff and barring the likes of Graham, they rightly got stick for it. There is no need to complain right now as we're playing some good rugby and we're getting the added bonus of picking up results. Fickle at times maybe, but supporters put their hearts on their sleeves.

Ditto.