I'd love to know where the optimism comes from. When was the last time you walked away from a Saints game reflecting on how well they'd played? Cas away mid season?

Like a few others have said, it actually refreshing to be underdogs, i'm not nervous as we have no pressure on us this time. This, in recent history at least is when we perform best

Leeds away in September? we did enough to win that night.

Leeds t'other month. Wigoon last week, Shudds couple week before that. Were reet... we got the play off mentality and mindset. I walked out of Cass thinking " jeez cass are shyt, but no doubt will make the top 8 and be hailed a great strory of 2009 "

if you defend like you have done in the playoffs 10 poins will be enough to win.

I disagree about not having any pressure.

There is a degree of pressure on you to win because if you lose it'll be your 3rd gf defeat on the trot.

Leeds having won the last 2 titles aren't under as much pressure to win.

People seem to think being favourites piles you under tons of pressure but it's all . It has no impact except the underdogs have ''something to prove''

If you look at all the gf's since 98 pretty much the only time the favourites haave been turned over is 99 07 and 08.

The weay you guys are going on about it you'd think being underdogs = automatic win.

I agree they'd be no pressure on you as underdogs, but having lost to the last 2 grand finals, that means there IS pressure on you to produce whether you want top admit it or not.

We were clear at the top for quite a while, our form hasn't been truly terrible at all, we hit a bad patch and the spoiled knee jerkers such as yourself starting surrendering at a rate not seen since world war France and slating players who have given their all for Saints for years and years.

Are you going on Saturday?

Yes, I never miss a Final



I'm a very committed supporter and a season ticket holder of some 22 years. I'm not very optimistic as you all know.

This season we have had a good squad and have won a lot of games but we've not been scoring freely like in previous seasons and IMO the performances have been lacking, particularly during the last few months.

Sums it up pretty well - your a misrable sod alot of the time but you do make some excellent points that many of the annoying eternal optimists miss (mainly because there too busy deluding themselves).

We are underdogs and deserve to be so because we dont have much if any fluency in attack these recent months and Leeds have a top class team and they are in very good form. Hopefully we'll step up a gear or 3 on the night and Leeds will have an off day and we'll come away with the title.

scoring freely hasn't done you much good the last 2 grand finals has it?

One thing you are doing well and your fans seem to overloook this is [udefending[/u

That's a load of balls to be fair. We're underdogs because we've been rubbish for 90% of the season.

We're underdogs because everything points to an almost certain loss on Saturday. But it will be quite close all the same.

Leeds by 9 I think.

I'm happy to let Leeds carry on feeling the nerves.

I don't expect anything from Saints. I'm going to enjoy the big game atmosphere and being at another final. I don't expect a win. I hope to be pleasantly surprised, though.

I was fine until I saw a picture of Wello and Sinfield holding the trophy inside Old Trafford then the nerves started!

You might not have pressure on you but your players have mega tons! To lose 3 in a row would be too much for some, losing is not an option. That brings big time pressure! Honestly how many saints players do you think will be thinking "if we lose we lose" ?

I think you're right that players will be under pressure, but its a different kind of pressure and there will be a different outlook on the game.

The last 2 years when we have, in truth, expected to win, the emphasis was on playing entertaining rugby to break Leeds down.

This year, as underdogs, the players will be thinking about winning the arm-wrestle, completion, discipline and 'sticking in there' with Leeds.

Hopefully it will make for a tighter game, which would hopefully work to our benefit.

You make a valid point, there nerves will be on. but as processionals i don't think it will affect them too much.

And it also can work in a more positive like, urging them on to play there best.

Saints need to keep their emotions in check, there is a fine line between using the defeats to motivate the team or letting that get the better of them, Leeds need to find that hunger from 07 and 08 and keep the focus to create history!

Both teams motivation can backfire on them

both teams can win this game!

I'm nervy as fook! Bring it on

LOL

so now magically, pressure is a good thing! It makes you play better!

Some players thrive on pressure to perform.

According to some on here you have a better chance this season because you don't have the pressure of being favourites.

I was more nervous about the Wigan game than I am about this one. The pressure really is all on Leeds. They have the favourites tag and they are trying to defend their crown as Champs as well as trying to make history in going for a third win on the bounce. Me nervous - no way.

That's good then because according to your fans it makes you perform better.

You sound absolutely terrified.

I will get nervous probably on pint 2 Saturday morning when i finally start admitting to myself how much it matters!

This can easily be argued both ways:

Pressure on Saints:
Losing 3 on the bounce is not something any players will want to be associated with
Players must know they have to improve to stand a decent chance

Conversely pressure on Leeds:
Hardly anyone expects Saints to win, so the pressure of expectation is all on Leeds to do it again.
Leeds going for an unprecedented hat-trick of titles - means there is more at stake
Saints have the motivation of revenge for 2007/2008

Thats pretty much the way I see it