The attacking display was good from Saints but territory gifted by Widnes with an absolutely shocking display of discipline.

The more important factor of the scoreline is that Saints nilled Widnes after a poor defensive display last week.

Just goes to show points difference means nothing in the Challenge cup so foot was taken of the gas prematurely by the players.

How did the guys perform??
In particular: Shenton, Magennis, Dixon and Foster?

Widnes where absolutely e again.We need to sack Betts and Cullen, but the chairman keeps listening to their Bull rather than the fans.Soon we will have no supporters going to games.

Thought Flanagan had a cracking game tonight, got through an enormous amount of work.

I thought Shenton was outstanding. He was clearly looking to make an impression and had a couple of passes patted down. But he put Swift in very well for two of his tries and looked very dangerous whenever he got the ball.

Magennis was great as well. He's a young player who gets a lot of flack, presumably for not being as good as James Graham. But he played really well tonight, running the ball strongly and putting in some crushing hits.

Dixon was his usual self, scored a belter of a try down the left channel and worked hard, he's such a classy player.

Forster I presume you mean rather than Foster? He did okay, didn't look out of place.

Flanagan, Soliola, Laffranchi and especially Chris Flannery all played well tonight. Flannery was utterly superb.

Shenton run better and did some good passes but he passing at times was poor.

Magennis was ok but nothing great, thought he run better than he's been doing.

Didn't see much of Dixon to be honest but popped up on score sheet again.

Foster didnt play.

I agree, flannery had his best game in a long while and I'm starting to really warm to Laffranchi.

Sia was top class, run hard and tackles harder.

LMS is really impressing me since the bulls game, he didn't do great game time tonight but the last month or so he's really impressed me. He runs with a purpose now and his attitude has improved.

LMS seems to be developing into a great impact player. He's probably the quickest prop in Super League at present and is a great athlete. He also leaps like a salmon. I think that is a set piece we should use more often. LMS v Tomkins in a battle for a high ball? Only one winner there.

I think he's playing really well and is giving us impact from the bench.

LMS plays great when the opposing forwards are pitiful, as they were for Widnes. But he was nowhere against Wigan, for instance. For LMS to impress me he has to work as hard in defence, and as hard driving forward when we are being challenged as when we are not.

I thought Shenton had a good game tonight and I was pleased for him. He saw a lot of ball, obviously a tactic, and there may have been a couple more tries had Swift been more experienced. Swift must be about the fourth different winger Shenton's had to play inside, which can't be easy.

Laffranchi has impressed me all season. He got stuck in from the get-go and hasn't let up. Likewise Flannagan.

Hohaia was good again tonight but then he had plenty of space as the Widnes forwards didn't put up a fight. His kicking game was excellent again.

Yep I meant Forster.

Good to hear LMS is still performing well, Hes looking good now. Laffranchi is class.

Cant complain when you nill any team really.

So all in all was Saints better than the last 3 weeks?

Hohaia had a good game AGAIN?

Excellent kicking game AGAIN?

You've got to be taking the pi$$, hohaia has been poor, not from the want of trying as he's always putting in 100% but he's been average at best with only one good game which was against Leeds and IMO walked man of the match.

His kicking game was ok tonight but it's been awfull this year, totally shocking at times to be honest.

The weird thing for me with lance, is that lomax certainly benifits from having him at #6 for some reason.

I thought it was a profesional performance against poor oposition,i have just one concern from tonights game and thats our unwillingness at times to pass to a player better placed to score,there was a lot of white line fever tonight.Also it shouldnt take the whole of the West stand to point out a 5-1 overlap 10 meters from the opponents try line

I seriously want some of whatever you're on. You must be joking. He was our best forward by an absolute mile against Wigan and the only one making decent yards.

You really think he's quicker than Larne Patrick? LMS is a mobile prop but no prop get's near to Larne for pace.

How's Flan going for you? Very talented young player who I feel could be outstanding if he's allowed to utilise his ball skills.

Totally agree with this, lance IMO doesn't have a kicking game, he holds the ball too long slowing the game, and continuously tries the dummy when its not on. Im not one for slagging of our own players but I certainly expected more from him. Hopefully the best is yet to come



Great inside pass set move for Wellos try tho!!!!

Most successful teams are built around partnerships, and often the value of the partnership is greater than the individual parts. Regardless of hohaias shortcomings, we have to give this partnership chance to develop for the good of the team. Really need to work on tge kicking game though.

He does take to long with the pass which slows are play down, I notice it every week.

He run really hard last night and even knocked Ben cross out with one run. I thought he looked dangerous near Widnes try line but I don't think he's got the rugby brain for a halve.

His kicking is shocking, totally and utterly shocking!

I like him and if used properly could be good signing and can't knock his effort at all but I would put money on him not playing stand off under brown.

Agree, our 6 or 7 are not natural half backs, but build that partnership and let them develope into the roles might be the better option than swapping and changing.

He's doing great. He jumped straight in at the start of the season and hasn't stopped since. I was really glad he got his first try in the red vee last night. I think he put in an 80 minute stint as well, which at his workrate was immense.

All our forwards were poor against Wigan. We missed Laffranchi, who is our best forward by a mile at present.

Swift looks like a good talent, his pace is electric and his step reminded me of Sam Tomkins / Gary Wheeler. Could potentially develop very nicely under Brown and could be the one to replace Wellens at full back in the long term? We shall see, it's early days yet, but he's done well.

Overall, a very professional display from Saints without being outstanding. I don't think we were anywhere near 5th gear, Widnes were just that bad. Our desire to defend was exceptional, summed up when Marsh chipped over Wellens and 3 men chased back to stop him scoring. Meli intercepted the next play and Swift scored from that. The forwards were very keen for work last night and completely dominated Widnes. Two of the unsung heros for me were Clough and Flanagan who I thought were both excellent. Man of the match by a mile was Roby though, the guy is a machine, a definite contender for Man of Steel again on this form.

Overall a satisfying display and with the youth players we have, it's a chance to rest one or two next week against Oldham and give them more of a chance to impress.

LMS played well against Wigan, he was up for it unlike most of our other forwards.

I agree on Laffranchi tho, he looks the part, he's not your tackle breaking prop but his work rate and attitude is top class.

I agree, I don't think we got out of 3rd gear last night but made it look easy but the definitely a change of attitude last night in defence compared to last Saturday.

I posted earlier that Adam swift looks to have the makings of a fullback. Hes safe, fast and has good foot work but his defence is yet to be really tested.