Well done to the lads, for putting in a much improved performance. The speed & aggression of defence was awesome. And I thought we played much nearer to the referees tolerance with slowing them down at the ruck.

I now feel much more optimistic about our chances to possibly make the grand final and have a chance.

On the down side, our attack is still pretty poor. There were some touches of class, but they were generally few and for between. We still look pretty predictable, and waste a lot of 5th tackle plays in their oppositions 25.

If we are to really challenge, we need to be clinical in attack. Come nearer to scoring on the last tackle, and force more drop outs. Because although our defence was great tonight, if Huddersfield had of been more composed or had more their missing players back it would have been touch and go for the victory last night.

I would give the Defence an A and the attack a D. We have 2 weeks to improve...

Cmon the Saints

I think you're being a little bit harsh on our attack. It wasn't vintage Saints, but there were plenty of good signs and I think we caused plenty of problems against a strong defence. Our timing is still off and our kicking game, whilst improved, still needs work, but overall I'm satisfied with our display. Our defence was excellent, brutal at times.

I also thought our attack was pretty poor. They was there for taking but we didn't do enough with the ball.

The halfbacks have got to pull there finger out because both pryce and long was rubbish again.

Leeds would have put 40 points on hudds last night.

I disagree. We weren't confused, we weren't clueless, we had all the right ideas, showing signs of creativity and determination. It is our finishing that needs work. Damn shame about the two kicks Gardner couldn't reach, for instance.


To be honest, and I'm not known on here for my blind optimism, those statements are in themselves rubbish. Pryce scored a try, he was right up there in attack for most of the match and he worked his butt off in defence for all of the match. Longy was organising like an organising thing all night, he made some great halfbreaks that were stopped only by some great defending by Hudds (who had him targeted, as they did Eastmond) and while a few of his kicks were wayward, he also executed some brilliant kicks. He is playing with one eye open the whole time, which to me says he is one brave cooky. We definitely need him and hopefully he will build on a better performance last night in readiness for the semi.


I think you are underestimating Hudds' defence there. I think any team would be hard pressed to put 40 points on Hudds these days.

I admit there were good signs, and things are improving. However I don't think we can compete with an inform Leeds team unless we improve a lot.

I thought we made yards very well so from that perspective we were good, but we lacked edge when we get in to their 25.

We competed with Leeds in the last away match of the season and we had been really poor in previous weeks. Remember we have beaten them twice already this season. If we get the chance to play them again this season there is reason why we should not be able to beat them again.

That is very true, but you could say the same for the last couple of grand finals. Like you say we already have the game to compete with them, but if they go in to top gear, we need a sharper attack to have a chance.

Huddersfield didn't really force the errors out of us like they did in the semi, but we still struggled to break them down. Fifteen points scored is the highest amount from the last seven games, got to be the worst run of point scoring for us since SL began? The set plays aren't sharp enough and on the odd occasion they do work the outside backs aren't quick enough to finish them off.

That said, we were much better last night.

We got in the faces of Huddersfield and they were not able to play their game-plan to stop us. Their defence was very good as it has been all season but we stopped them from attacking - hence they scored no tries while we on the other hand did score 3 tries.

I agree. For us to beat Leeds our attack needs to go up 3 gears.

They say defence wins games but if you can't attack we won't beat Leeds.

Our attack hasn't been good all year but if we get to old Trafford and our attacks clicks then we will win but it's got to improve big time!

If defence wins games - then Leeds can't score if our defence is up to scratch.

I don't think we will hold Leeds to only scoring 2 points.

Do you?

Deluded. We were terrible in attack again. The defense was good, but then again it has never really been the problem. We again failed to score a decent total but make no mistakes Huddersfield are gone for this season. Leeds would have racked up points against them.

I think we improved to poor, rather than terrible. We didn't look clueless this time, for instance, and we didn't bump into each other or forget to do something on the last tackle. We did attempt some kick/catch moves which almost came off on two occasions and we also got over the tryline three times (granted, on one occasion with help from a blind touch judge). So, yes, I think we've improved.

only scoring 1point from a drop goal in the second half against a giants team who had injuries on your own ground not much improvement there..
and missing goals again...

Well played last night, pretty dour game. But you bossed it from the start. Your defence was immense. Got to say I would have given the man of the match to young Eastmond. The lad is class. Hopefully see you in 2 weeks time. When we may have a stronger team on the field. By the way my missus"s first visit to your ground and she loved it.

Was she drunk?

It's just that most people abuse our beloved home of 100 plus years. Love and Knowsley Road only usually go together in the hearts of the die-hard Saints fans.

Is she a closet Saints fan, do you think?

(just joking!)

It's no joke .... there are many