Up until Easter our defence was probably better than it had ever been under Anderson. Obviously something has gone awry since then, I'm sure it can be rectified.

I haven't watched all our matches but of the ones that I have I would say the Leeds CC round stands out as truly inventive for us. I think seeing the Pryce/Wilkin pairing was refreshing. Perhaps what we need is refreshing? Maybe our format is stale now? I don't know. But for most of the matches I have watched we have appeared far from inventive. In fact, on more than one occasion when I've watched a match back on Sky I've heard the Sky guys say that 'this is the kind of thing Saints usually do to the opposition' (when the opposition is doing it to us!). It was said again on the Catalans highlights when they took off for their own imminent wide to West moment right at the end - an opportunity afforded to them by our lack of discipline.

And by discipline I didn't mean dirty play. Saints are not a dirty team. But this season they have become far less disciplined with the ball, something again for which Catalans were well known under Potter. I know I'm not the only fan to make this link and I don't think it is unreasonable but having poor ball control plus poor defence equals lots more points against us and a tougher journey to the end of each match, with a greater risk of us losing. On top of that, Long has been in poor form overall this year with his boot (and I appreciate there are exceptions - he was a real Jeckyl and Hyde at Catalans, getting over some superb touchline kicks in the second half). Having just the one kicker in Long has been a weakness neglected by both DA and now Potter (I was hoping Potter would address it). That needs urgent attention, not least to take the pressure off Long.


I agree entirely, which is why I would say we need some refreshing. At the Leeds CC round I thought Potter was going to do that. Not that Pryce and Wilkin would have performed like that every week! But it definitely inspired us and put some fresh umph and creativity into our game, which has been lacking for many of our matches so far this year.

I think it's harsh to suggest the players look disinterested.

Yes, our defence and our ball control has slipped somewhat over the last few weeks, but I think this is in large part down to the fact that we are playing with a depleted front row. We're struggling to get the kind of go forward that gives players like Long the time to make good decisions and execute plays properly, and this is putting us under pressure.

The period in which we've been struggling a bit - since we beat Wigan at the JJB - is exactly the same period in which Cayless has been out injured. Not a coincidence, I think.

I'm not moaning and pointed out we in last 8 of CC and top of league.

I'm just saying that potter should be giving time to put his mark on this team that is in process of being rebuilt.

What we don't need is fans booing and saying sack potter evdrytime we lose.

I'm sure we will lose few more yet but potter will make saints the force we was 3 year ago.

I'm pretty sure it's coz the constant swapping of our back row is why we r weak in defence out wide.

We should keep wheeler in centre and leave gilly and wilkin in 2nd row for the rest of the year if poss

There's only Saint From Prestwich who does that!

In regard to our ball control, the amount of dropped ball we've had this year has contributed to our lack of structure in defence, added to that, we've also had a drop in the intensity during some games.

There maybe a number of reasons for the lack of ball retention, I think some of the lines the players are running are all over the show at times (for a period against Bradford it was particularly poor), we've also had two key players in Cunningham and Long off form. Some of their passing has been atrocious at times and this has shown with players having to take balls flying over their heads or aimed at their feet. They aren't the only two, but given their roles it's far more obvious, and costly, when their passes are bad.

I agree. Our go forward is poor. That's why I think tony p has to play prop along with graham.

Teams know if they can get us in our own half we will have big problems gettin out of our be it with drives or a kick.

Your kicking game at times on saturday was superb! credit should go to catalans, Fakir went off not to return and Pelo went straight down the tunnel into an ambulance with one of the worst looking injuries i've seen in a long time!

I believe a report is going in abot the refereeing performance, I've seen the locals get upset before, but nothing matches how upset they were on saturday! At times Bentham pulled decisions out of his @r$e. And this is me being calm now after Saturday night!

And that justifies what happened to him?

What happened to him?

Some of the french fans tried to get on the pitch to give him their veiw!

Suggestion is he was spat at, and had a cigarette stubbed out on him.

Didn't he get burned with some cigarettes or something?

shut up, for the record, I videoed him leaving the field as I knew some people who werent there would try and say something bad about the supporters, yes, they voiced their opinion but there is now a tunnel that the players and officials walk under, the supporters couldn't get near him to stub a cigarette out on him!

people like you should attend the game before commenting!!

Easy tiger! He was merely passing on a suggestion that was made on another site.

well maybe you and he should take your facts from people who were there and not from rumour-mongs!

if you both had supported your team, then you would know for sure!

Lets see it then.

who are you? i'll post the link when I'm good and ready! i'm sure if you look at a popular video site you will find it!

Calm dowm La.

And who are you? Coming on here and having a go at us English lol.

He's from Huddersfield..!

Oooooo, c'mon sunshine put your handbag down for a second. For what its worth I hadn't heard about the alleged incident until i read this thread, nor had i taken it as gospel. I'm sure Ski could tell you his source if needed but unless you come down off that high horse you seem to be on you might not hear it.

Not all of us can afford to go to every home and away match, but thats a whole 'nother topic for another thread.

So Blobb's point still stands.

This is true.
But don't you take that tone with me.