I think saints still have a decent side and will be in the mix for a trophy. I think the majority of the poor form is down to Wellens. He seems to have learned ball all under two decent coaches. His gormless look in post match interviews speaks for itself. I think if he performs badly in the first 10 games he’ll be gone

I can see Briers being in charge before the half way point

[quote="[Gareth]":1unydhat]I can see Briers being in charge before the half way point[/quote:1unydhat] I don't think there's that much evidence that Briers will be the messiah as an assistant, much less in a head coach role.

Massive test for Saints in their first game v Salford. Following the takeover at the Reds they can field their full squad.

[quote="Father Ted":158tf3y9]Massive test for Saints in their first game v Salford. Following the takeover at the Reds they can field their full squad.[/quote:158tf3y9] Going off some of the pre-season reports over on RV quite a few of Saints first team especially in the forwards have zero or precious few minutes under their belts. Only time will tell if that's a mistake I suppose.

Not denying that I expected us to win by a lot more yesterday and 10 points in the second half against amateurs is p**s poor. However Salford’s result today can also be looked at as a bad one. They weren’t at full strength but had a strong side out and won by less of a margin than we did.

[quote="Stu M":3vcytsyo]Not denying that I expected us to win by a lot more yesterday and 10 points in the second half against amateurs is p**s poor. However Salford’s result today can also be looked at as a bad one. They weren’t at full strength but had a strong side out and won by less of a margin than we did.[/quote:3vcytsyo] Hopefully there is a big attendance for your game next week as its possibly the most intriguing game of the round. Salford fans will likely travel in numbers given their good news.

[quote="MadDogg":kqs64xmi]Hopefully there is a big attendance for your game next week as its possibly the most intriguing game of the round. Salford fans will likely travel in numbers given their good news.[/quote:kqs64xmi] It’s not been ratified yet, Saints could be playing half a Salford team.

[quote="MadDogg":d0hcgz8i]Hopefully there is a big attendance for your game next week as its possibly the most intriguing game of the round. Salford fans will likely travel in numbers given their good news.[/quote:d0hcgz8i] I should’ve clarified that Salford weren’t playing amateurs today but they still won by less of a margin than I would’ve expected. Salford are +14.5 with the bookies which I find staggering and have to say I’ve already bet on. Part of me wonders if the bookies know that maybe the takeover won’t be completely confirmed by next week meaning they won’t be able to play a full team? I’ll keep a close eye on the news before Thursday and cash out if that’s the case. I’d say Wigans game is the game of the round. Big things expected of Leigh and I’m intrigued to see how Armstrong goes. I think he’s a dark horse for the MOS Let’s hope for our sake that Leigh give you a game this time.

[quote="Zig":3cn0id8d]It’s not been ratified yet, Saints could be playing half a Salford team.[/quote:3cn0id8d] Their statement says they’ll have a full squad to choose from.

[quote="Stu M":63f7o83k]Their statement says they’ll have a full squad to choose from.[/quote:63f7o83k] Thank you. That’s what we want to see. So has the deal now been ratified?

[quote="Stu M":1ntpire1]I should’ve clarified that Salford weren’t playing amateurs today but they still won by less of a margin than I would’ve expected. Salford are +14.5 with the bookies which I find staggering and have to say I’ve already bet on. Part of me wonders if the bookies know that maybe the takeover won’t be completely confirmed by next week meaning they won’t be able to play a full team? I’ll keep a close eye on the news before Thursday and cash out if that’s the case. I’d say Wigans game is the game of the round. Big things expected of Leigh and I’m intrigued to see how Armstrong goes. I think he’s a dark horse for the MOS Let’s hope for our sake that Leigh give you a game this time.[/quote:1ntpire1] I got Salford +16.5 and Warrington -6.5 last week, easy double. I wouldn’t call Armstrong a dark horse, everyone I speak to is tipping him. I got him at 33/1 he’s down to about 16s now

[quote="NSW":4cg799oa]I got Salford +16.5 and Warrington -6.5 last week, easy double. I wouldn’t call Armstrong a dark horse, everyone I speak to is tipping him. I got him at 33/1 he’s down to about 16s now[/quote:4cg799oa] Just got on the Salford/Wire double but -10 on Warrington. Well done going early!

[quote="NSW":3n3vn43h]I got Salford +16.5 and Warrington -6.5 last week, easy double. I wouldn’t call Armstrong a dark horse, everyone I speak to is tipping him. I got him at 33/1 he’s down to about 16s now[/quote:3n3vn43h] That’s a great price, well done. I have a feeling Sailor won’t be a million miles away either. May have a dabble on him.

[quote="Stu M":eu4sbkdu]That’s a great price, well done. I have a feeling Sailor won’t be a million miles away either. May have a dabble on him.[/quote:eu4sbkdu] You will need to find some points for Sailor to have a chance. Don't think Saints style of play will do him any favours. If he stays fit I can see Jai Field being in the mix this year

[quote="Stu M":3ukep0ud]That’s a great price, well done. I have a feeling Sailor won’t be a million miles away either. May have a dabble on him.[/quote:3ukep0ud] That will depend on how the Saints pack performs.

I see Hurrell has already been dropped, before the season's began I think their 13 is still quite strong though, they just need Lomax and Welsby to get back to some decent form. But I can't see much impact off the bench unless Paasi also gets some form from somewhere. Agree that their (long) kicking game is likely their biggest issue. For years they constantly benefited from making strong yards from Makinson and Walmsley and then doing that boring box kick in the corner but I'm not sure that works now. I think they'll beat Salford though, they should have enough power to beat them by 10+ points.

[quote="Wigg'n":2nxqzcud]I see Hurrell has already been dropped, before the season's began I think their 13 is still quite strong though, they just need Lomax and Welsby to get back to some decent form. But I can't see much impact off the bench unless Paasi also gets some form from somewhere. Agree that their (long) kicking game is likely their biggest issue. For years they constantly benefited from making strong yards from Makinson and Walmsley and then doing that boring box kick in the corner but I'm not sure that works now. I think they'll beat Salford though, they should have enough power to beat them by 10+ points.[/quote:2nxqzcud] With Salford confirming a reserve side Saints should win with 30 minimum

[quote="bazdev":30b17bmq]With Salford confirming a reserve side Saints should win with 30 minimum[/quote:30b17bmq] Feels really sad for the comp that they can't put their full team out. We've had a couple of byes over this last couple of years with teams resting players around the cup final and play offs though, so I'm personally not going to complain. A great looking fixture has been rendered pretty much a none event now though and the game doesn't need that, especially on the opening weekend and with it being the game on free to air TV.

Glad I cashed out a couple of days ago as I had a decent sized bet on Salford at +14.5 but I had a feeling that the clearance wouldn't be done in time. Not sure why they can't play the same side as they played in the CC Cup which would've been more than competitive. Or have they just stuck 2 fingers up at the RFL? Feel sorry for the no doubt sizeable Salford contingent who have bought tickets fully expecting a full squad.

It's also embarrassing for SL that Saints have essentially received 2 free competition points just because of the fixture draw. Imagine they finish 1 point above relegation now

[quote="Stu M":1jq43afk]Glad I cashed out a couple of days ago as I had a decent sized bet on Salford at +14.5 but I had a feeling that the clearance wouldn't be done in time. Not sure why they can't play the same side as they played in the CC Cup which would've been more than competitive. Or have they just stuck 2 fingers up at the RFL? Feel sorry for the no doubt sizeable Salford contingent who have bought tickets fully expecting a full squad.[/quote:1jq43afk] Betting on the game has been removed by Skybet and Betfred so don’t know if any exsisting bet still stands

Saturday's evening viewing ruined. Just rugby leagues luck that this fixture was picked by the beeb

Why not lift the cap provisionally pending approval?

[quote="MadDogg":2gh1iuxa]Why not lift the cap provisionally pending approval?[/quote:2gh1iuxa] Not sure you can do that, what if approval was not granted and Salford won with a full strength team. Would they then have to forfeit the points.