Be honest Saints were beaten in every single department of the game last night and that score line more than flatters you.

I agree the score flatterd saints but i was replying to the comment that wigan are streets ahead of everyone which i don't agree with at all.

They are the best team in super league but by no means streets ahead of everyone.

No, it doesn't, but in fairness I don't think you can ever use a final as a yardstick.

The form book goes out of the window, it comes down to something else

A very fair summary.

Streets ahead is over-egging the pudding somewhat.

Ask your coach or players to give Tony Smith a ring. That guy sure know's how to win the finals,.

Mate, I know you're a good poster and probably just defending your team but don't just look at the 12 point drubbing (and I use that word on purpose as the 12 points in no way reflects the dominance Wigan had in that game) and look at the league table. We were 6 points and over a hundred points difference better than Saints [uover the season as a whole![/u I think that is pretty comprehensive and whilst it is by no means a certainty that this will be the case next year eventhough it looks very possible, as we stand at the moment you would have to conclude Wigan are, in fact, streets ahead of Saints.

Now I know you like to point to injuries and to some degree it is justifiable, but Wigan have also been hit with injuries all season including to the form player early season, Amos Roberts. He has been unable to regain that form post injury but I think it fair to say Wigan would have been even more devastating had he not suffered the injury. At times this season we've had 7, 8 and even 9 players out at any one time but the difference is, the strength of the [usquad[/u has meant it has had less of an impact than perhaps on yourselves. In fact squad players who only really came into the team through injuries have turned out to be among the most effective; Farrell and Goulding in particular.

The thing is with injuries is that some are unfortunate accidents, but others are a little more predictable. If your team is reliant on players such as Eastmond, Soliola and the like then injuries are increasingly likely to come into play. It was no different for Hull FC putting all their hopes in an injury plaugued Sean Long. That can't be seen in any way as 'unlucky'. Is the injury situation likely to be any different next year in your opinion with several players coming to the ends of their careers and looking to Eastmond as your guiding light?

pity he doesnt know how to beat saints though..

Wishful thinking regarding leeds.

They'll be well in the mix next year, you'll just have to deal with it.

Not disputing that Wigan are the better team now but the gap was 4 points in the league. So if Saints had won on Good Friday there would be no difference.

Hardly streets ahead, one game.

no,not streets ahead but it looks more positive for Wigan than it does for us imo - Mcguire is a good coach and Rads' input is a big factor I believe
with Leon & Kyle plus Soliola fit the difference between the teams is minimal, again imo

In fairness, given you had no halfbacks, you did pretty well.

That said, you have won zip for 4 years, and are on a downslope.

Those fans who expect success over the next 5 years will be very disappointed I feel.

IF, if, Wigan had won their home fixture it would have been 8 points?

Two years, actually.

Good point I had forgotten the (now devalued) CC.

I'm sure you'd have said that if you'd won the cup instead of the GF this year

I would actually.

There is no doubt in my mind that the CC has (very sadly imo) fallen in the pecking order in terms of RL in this country.

Now it's all about the GF (which given the state of RL in this country is all about a knockout competition that starts in August).

There is only room for one knockout competition in RL in this country imo.

Your tune will change should you win the CC next year but not the GF.

Yes if this happens then the CC will be the traditional and most valued prize in RL. And the GF will be a silly publicity stunt that we brought in to copy the Aussies

that's another fine mess you got me into

The CC isn't devalued for me - a trophy is a trophy and i'd love to see Saints get to the final every season - it's a great day out and even better when you win
any Dragons fan will still gloat over their wembley appearance a few seasons ago even though they lost !
The GF is the pinnacle of course tho' for some teams getting into the play-offs is a satisfactory season - you have to e realistic...

All ifs and buts. The big one for me was missing Leon. He controlled the show at the Piedome and I'd be pretty confident if he were playing at OT, he'd control it again. Shame really because for the 60 minutes we realised a Grand Final was going on, Wigan were there for the taking.

There wasn't that much between the two sides. Wigan were better and, as a result, won the thing, but I doubt Saints would be as pulverised as much as they were on the injury front again.

Its a bit depressing from a Saints point of veiw, but the GF shouldn't be the only definitive game of the year. Wigan played an almost perfect game, whereas we turned up undercooked. Their kicking game, for example, was spot on whereas in the games leading up had been poor. We looked clueless at times and lethargic in defence. We also seemed to defend poorley outwide. Its no wonder we weren't in the game.
Judging that game alone leaves you feeling Wigan are by far and away the best team in the comp.

However...Wigan did lose a good number of games to their rivals Saints, Wire, Leeds and Hudds so they're not actually as bullet proof as they may seem. There's no reason that we shouldn't be confident of being in with a chance of toppling them next year.

Losing Leon & Kyle was the difference for me - too many of the boys had off days especially Wilkin who probably had his worst ever game - basically the Pie boys were too good on the day against an inferior team - end of.

I was adding 2 points for the final!



Yeah..because it was a real close game on Good Friday wasn't it! Could have gone either way...well except Saint's way obviously.
And if Saints had won one further game on top of that it would have been down to points difference. In fact, let's pretend you won 3 more games and actually won the league....can you actually breathe down there with all that sand going up your nose?

Why would they need to win another game? If they'd won on Good Friday it would have been decided on points difference

My point was Wigan aren't streets ahead of anyone. The point you make is that Wiganers don't attend school