As much as we don't like to give them credit its hard not to be impressed once again with how well they are doing - especially when you consider the expierience they have lost during the last couple of years and the injuries they have had this season.

I got a bit sick of hearing people say that they would miss Cunningham this season but i really don't think that they have - in fact they seem a better side without him at times - especially with Roby playing like he is at the minute.

The point for me being that they will again be a massive threat to our title and i really wouldnt be suprised to see a repeat of last years grand final.

One weakness they do have at the moment is Paul Wellens - a good solid full back in his day but his lack of pace seems more apparent than ever - he looked very uncomfortable under the bomb against Bradford although conditions were not the best - we have got to test him out on Friday.

Royce Simmons looking like a good appointment.....so far.

Yep... i see them as a slightly bigger threat than Warrington. Seems he has a good team ethos there.

Good post!




I shouldn't really be glad that they are playing well, but that makes it all the better when we play them.
The games against them are special as we all know especially the last game this season now that was a quality game as well as last years game at the DW and at Knowsley Road.

Top quality games by both sides.

The thing that amazes me is how well the young kids perform in the first team. They come into their first team and just seem to instantly fit in and keep them ticking over. We have a fantastic u20's side and have had the wood over Saints for years at that level but when the players break through for both club there seems little difference in quality.

I thought they'd struggle when Long left or when Scully retired of definitely when Cunningham retired yet they survive time and again. I'm again thinking they'll struggle when Graham goes but knowing Saints LMS will probably morph into Kevin Ward in his pomp!

True - the half-back combination of Lomax and Gaskell has been particularly impressive, they look very settled at this level and Gaskell certanly has an eye for the 40/20s.

A number of those St.Helens players should of been in the England side against the Exiles.

Impressed with Jamie Foster a very good player, should have played for England against the Exiles no question.

He also kicks as well which means that Kevin Sinfield shouldn't need to be picked again, but that won't happen with Mcnamara in charge.

Except I think we have had a slight edge in mental strength, which is why our Grand Finao record against St Helens at the various levels in recent times has been pretty good.

IMO, Cunningham was going backwards for the last couple of years. He was a big presence on the field, but missed a lot more tackles.

Scully made about 20 appearances in the last three years of his time. Brilliant when fit, but a salary cap liability for more than a couple of years.

Long - for the last couple of years he went missing far too often. Became a flat track bully who wanted to play the same way every week.

We were lucky really that they didnt go all at once. If they had, that might have been too big a hole to plug straight away. But we've replaced them more or less one at a time. Certainly helps.

Leeds may find they have a lot of players of retirement age over the next couple of years. Peacock (whose contract is due up), Sinfield, Maguire, Burrow, Senior are all on big contracts and are getting towards the latter stages. All fairly key. Buderus, Lauatiti similar. I just wonder if their next crop are as good as the Saints/Wigan crop and if they will have time to blood them all correctly.

Wigan fans and St.Helens fans don't seem to hate each other as much as they used to. Its like there is more of a mutual respect these days. Wire and Leeds on the other hand...

I don't think either Wigan or Saints feel they have much to prove.

Wire are a top side this year, but that mantel is still fairly new to them. Some of their fans still have a bit of an inferiority complex, I reckon.

Leeds can't seem to understand how they've suddenly lost their crown. Apparently none of them saw it coming, and that's brought out a nasty side to their personality which I personally haven't experieneced until this last year or so. (They also have Hetherington running things of course, and he's another one who can't seem to handle not being top dog anymore).

And Bradford seem to have accepted their fall, much as we did (almost). It's interesting how these cycles go, although I'm still waiting for Saints to fall backwards but it just will not happen!

I find St Helens fans fine, going to Widnes on Friday im looking forward to it all round, with wire and Leeds you just tend to get di*ks squaring up to you etc etc.

But, when the games on im more nervous and up for it when we play St Helens.

I met a Guy last year with a St Helens top on and a Celt*c hat on... and really really strangely he was 'normal' and a pleasant fella/human/thing (whatever)

! Just shows, its a funny old world.

Sees you all Friday

I must say I am really looking forward to the game. Cant say I am particularly confident but we must have some kind of a chance.

Just wanted to reiterate what was said before. The last three normal league games between the sides have been terrific entertainment and hopefully there is more to follow on Saturday.

Agreed

I wouldn't wait till Saturday if I were you !!!!!!!

Just noticed it after posting agreed, glad i don't do proof reading as a job!

Hope yer train isny booked pal

Strictly speaking it will be Sat for me, because I am going out on Friday night and I am going to watch the re run on sky sports at 12:00 on friday night/Saturday Morning

Well hopefully on Friday/Saturday morning you do not enjoy the re run.

Who knows. Like I say I am not confident but you never know. The worst bit about it is I am expecting to be home around 11pm on Friday night and I will have to bite my nails and find stuff to do without thinking about the match, knowing if I turn the telly/radio/internet on the result could flash in front of my eyes and it could all be in vain

Anyway good luck for all you guys and hope you enjoy your wee trip to the stadio de Widnes !

You guys will always be our biggest rivals.

I have been watching rugby for over 30 years and the greatest player I have ever seen is a Wigan legend called Ellery Hanley.

I have the upmost respect for Wigan as a club and their fans are pretty decent as well.

Less of the love in on the week of a game please, you snot swallowing bunch of nancy gibbons

That's the way to do it.

I'm just trying to recover from the shock myself ...