But they wouldn't be the eighth best team. They'd be THE best team.

Frank Bruno, Eddie the eagle Edwards, to name two,

however as soon as we get a superstar, we love to knock them.

Steve Davis, Nick Faldo, David Beckham, the list goes on.

Eddie the Eagle was not lauded for his achievements in terms of medals and records.
The guy came from nowhere with little to no funding and got himself to the Winter Olympics. If that doesn't warrant applauding then I don't what does.
Anyone who thought Frank Bruno was worthy of applause needs to have s it down and think about why exactly. Blind patriotism propelled 'Big Frank' into the limelight.
A very, very limited fighter who was taken apart every time he stepped into the ring with a good boxer.
He found his natural level playing the fairy godmother at the Royal in Shepherds Bush.

Not doubting the bottle of eddie, however the one good thing he did, was to encourage the IOC to bring in the minimum standards requirements, so people exactly like eddie couldnt devalue the sport,

Who can tell me who won the comp that year?? But we all know who finished last! Which proves my point (in my own mind anyway) that we shouldnt be promoting dross!

Here Here!!

Saints really aren't reacting well to their falling star are they.

As for Wilkin, one of SL's most overhyped flat track bullies, talking of mediocrity, its certainly ironic.

We seems to admire average triers more than born winners in this country.

Bruno was loved more than any sports person in the 80's early 90's. For what ?

Faldo was hated for some reason probably because he was a born winner.

No offence but that doesn't prove any point.
We know who finished last because he was British, the whole reason he was plastered all over the papers was because he finished last and the guy wasn't the best looking.
God knows who won it, but I'll guess he was Scandanavian. If he'd been British I guarantee you'd know his name.

Like i said in my own mind



However i agree that the press love a looser, but i think we will have to agree to disagree about rewarding mediocrety

Maybe but he wouldn't have a problem with his club winning it from 2nd would he?

2nd, 3rd, 7th, 8th..........it's much of a muchness as it's not top and therefore why should you be able to win the comp.

The fact is though you can win it from any position within the set play off format and i don't see why it's a problem if it's a top 5, 6 or 8.

Aslong as it doesn't get too daft and go right down to bottom place i'm more then happy.

I get the feeling the players over St Helens way are a little nervous at the moment.

so they should be - if they turn out the same turd performances we have seen recently in the next 2 games there is going to be some unhappy people on the terraces.

Its not been that bad a season though has it?

Of course it will be a big shock for your lot if you dont win anything, as your pretty used to it.

However with an ageing side and pretty much everyone else improving, what where your fans expecting? Sporting history shows dominance never ever lasts.

Not seen you that much, but you have been pretty good from when i have seen you.

I don't think Saints players help themselves by whinging.

They all moaned about the magic weekend and look what happened there. They are moaning now and I think they'll be shocked tomorrow.

And I don't hear any Leeds players moaning.

At the end of the day it's all about money and play offs generate money either through the turnstile or through Sky Sports paying for rights to show these play off games.

Everyone knows the rules - get on with it!

I've said on your board i think you'll win the grand final and i'm sticking to that.

It'll take a huge turnaround in form for that to happen but you have the players to enable that to happen and also the players to lead the way for the other lads though any supposed unrest with the coach.

Wilkin and co could do the team a few more favours though by trying to put some positive spin on things.

Getting other sides backs up won't do them any favours.

It would be a shock if we win.

Agree with your post though, STFU and knuckle down.

You haven't read Peacock's article then?

Wilkin's spot on in what he says.

He has a weekly column for the BBC - WTF do people think he is going to talk about every week? It is really that surprising he raises an issue about the play-offs when we're erm.... just about to start the play-offs? It's certainly an issue that a lot of people are talking about, or is the whinging on here (that people are having a go at him for, and don't see the irony) really because he plays for Stains?

I'd imagine if Sam T had a similar column and said the same thing, the reaction would be very different.

Agreed. I personally dont like the fact his in the media. However that is something he loves and will do after Rugby League.

He is right about the playoffs.

What shock is that then ? to lose by less than 20 ?

Huddersfield are huge favourites for me!

Course he is spot on, however as i pointed out earlier, the RFL has ensured that the sport is ed around mediocrity.

The timing of the criticisim of the play off format is shocking though.

He may be right but things like that should be said in private between the players, clubs and administrators. If he wants to talk about the upcoming play offs then fair enough but why not just discuss the teams involved and the matches between the clubs.

If Sam Tomkins had said the same i'd have thought his timing was shocking also.

I've not no.

I'm a bit of a traditionalist so I agree with him. Not even second place should have a chance of being crowned champions IMO. But for this to happen we have to scrap the extra fixtures and everyone should play each other twice. Whoever comes top over the course of a season deserves the title of champions not someone who can win a one-off competition through being in good form for 4-5 weeks.

The play-offs are a glorified version of the old premiership. Always held that opinion and always will.

I can understand what you're saying, but actually prior to 1972-1973 we had a top 16 championship playoff system and a 30 team league lol, so we're going back to our roots if anything



Mind you 4 tackles and a scrum instead of handover?

Why should it be said in private?

Are we as a sport really so insecure that we can't take constructive criticism of an aspect of the game from our own? The best way to make the game's administrators take note of their ted decisions is to make them uncomfortable.