your obviously not 30 yet !

I've just turned 30 mate




If them players are fit enough then what's the problem?

I think we should cast a special trophy just for Wigan. The Our-Average-Age-Is-Younger-Than-Your-Average-Age Award.

Bless.

the players they are up against will be just as fit but faster and stronger.


If stains finish in top 4 next season that will be a good achievement imo.

Talking utter crap.

The age of 7 of our players being over 30 means we can't win anything!

Yes ok.

Saints biggest loss is yet to come, the retirement of Cunningham. You've prolonged it another year rightly or wrongly but it's inevitably going to happen and the loss of his leadership and ability coupled with the loss of Long's organization and kicking game couldn't be more detrimental to a side.

The decline set in 6 years ago.

One Chanmpionship in 6 years is hardly the greatest return for the "dominant" force in Super League, and supposed Golden Generation.

TBH i think saints will struggle to compete at the top next year, but rise & decline is a part of any side. For instance, once we reach 2014 or so, we're going to be replacing Webb, Sinfield, Diskin, McGuire, Burrow etc. all at once. I think losing Gilmour, Long & Cayless will be a big blow, and that a lot of weight will be placed on the shoulders of Roby, Graham, Eastmond & Wilkin to pull the rest of the side, unless you make some seriously big signings.

Personally I reckon we should be in both finals next year, and i think Wire and pies will be up there, as will you. Ultimately, no side can go on forever and we'll come to that point eventually as well.

Don't be soft. Dominance is about all-round performance, not just winning one trophy. We have been the dominant team in Superleague, previously with Bradford. We are not that team any longer and I should imagine won't be for another who knows how many years. Teams ebb and flow. Wigan should know that. They flowed away in the 90s and have hardly been seen since.

You men are all living in the past

We've been heading into decline for 6 years? LMAO

How many challenge cups, league leaders have we won in last 6yrs? Not to mention grand finals!

If we've been in decline for 6yrs then it's not bad is it.

Wigan have been saying they will be out of there decline for last 14yrs but with only 2 cups to show for it we will be waiting long time yet.

Noble and Fielden came in when we were 6 points adrift at the foot of the table. They were without doubt the right personnel for the club at that time. We are in a totally different position now. Just like Stains don't go through the season thrashing teams by 40 points anymore. Get used to it.

The real question for any Saints fan is not are we in decline, because you obviously are, the more prominent question is can you recover from it and how long will it take you to?

Every year you lot say we finished and Wigan are on up.

Never going to happen.

I'm happy to announce that all you young whippersnappers are now going to have the opportunity to go through what I had to put up with between 1968 when I started watching Saints to ... well ... Super League really.

You are in denial to say it will never happen. Wigan are on the up and Saints, whilst not finished yet, are certainly in decline. It will be interesting to see how they respond to the loss of Long and Gilmour next year. Perhaps the return of Fozzard will make the difference.

Have a strong coffee and look at your ins and outs.


you will not be as strong next season, end.

How do you know we are in decline? Is that based upon our failure to win silverware? If so, you have mighty high expectations of us! The last time we failed to win silverware was 2003, so it has happened before in Superleague. We may not be in decline. We may bounce back with a newly rejuvenated side next year, who knows? We may not, either. We'll just have to wait and see.

I was very happy to get in at 8-8 at half time, with what felt like fk all territory.

Don't mean this as a dig, and its obviously something you know, but you are losing legends year after year, Longy gone now, one more year of KC, possibly losing Eastmond too - obviously some salary cap cash is being freed up each year, but to replace the likes of Scully, Long and Kieron who have not only been immense players but part of the fabric of your club is a tough tough ask.

Not winning a trophy is just one indication of Saints decline. But other indicators are:
- Not finishing top in the regular season for the first time in 5 years.
- Losing more established stars with no obvious replacements.
- No longer bringing in big name players to keep the up the momentum of success.
- No obvious replacements coming through the ranks.
- Playing quite poorly this season at times and particularly towards the end of the season.
- Potter doesn't inspire confidence.
- Stories, from sources close to the dressing room, of unrest in the camp.

I am not saying Saints will become a poor side but they are clearly in decline from the highs of recent years.

Oh, I forgot - the declining crowds and disinterest amongst the Saints supporters. You see, even they acknowledge the decline.

The big worry now must be - New stadium, no team!

I remember kidding myself with that one when we lifted the title in 98, after everyone had written Wigan off when Super League began.

It was a hard fall from the top. I suppose with 1 title in 7 years, you aren't really falling from the "top" though

We didn't win trophies in 1998, 2001 or 2003 either. Were we in decline then, too?


We haven't finished top at other times in the Superleague either, were we in decline then, too?


We lost Tommy Martin, Paul Sculthorpe, etc, etc, but we carried on winning trophies. Were we in decline then, too? And who is to say we have no obvious replacements for Longy and Gilly? Did you not see Eastmond tonight? And we do have another second rower on his way.


Big name players don't equal success. They can be rubbish in another team. Likewise, no-names can become big names in another team.




No, of course not.


Change of coach, slower PTB (when a quick PTB was what we based our game on) and about eight weeks of serious injuries (up to 10 players at one time out injured) also influenced that.


He doesn't with many fans, me included, but how do you know whether he does so with the team?


Which equals gossip on here and elsewhere, and speculation in the press.


Maybe. Or maybe this is just another 2003. I guess we will all find out in the fullness of time!

i think next year is simple, and comes down to Kyle Eastmond, sink or swim.

i think the pack is huge, may have a couple extra second rowers inc the dixon, ashurst and warren thompson who has been playing really well in the reserves

potter needs the balls to drop meli / gardner if playing poorly but it comes down to eastmond needs to learn how to really take the team around the park...not like the huddersfeild semi final

next year could still be a good bright year....................i hope