I must confess, for most of the first half last night, Saints and Leeds looked like sides that were a shadow of what they were 3 or 4 years ago. We looked like sides that were the best, and are now in 4th and 5th places in the league. Having said that, I think the league as a whole is currently lacking in quality, and Warrington are taking their chance to be the best, as much due to other team's lack of quality, as to their own ability. The league is wide open for a new club to collect together a few good players, and take it by storm, as Cas and Quins did briefly earlier in the year. I strongly believe that a well coached side could turn the tables, and win the league from anywhere.

If we're going back 3 or 4 years, both Saints and Leeds are definite shadows of the teams they once were.

Not fair to single out Sinfield - neither was it Lockers' fault when we were struggling in 2005/6. For me it proves what I have thought for some time - when Peacock's standard drops Leeds are struggling big time.

Saints peaked in 2006 with a freakishly good side, and have been on a steady decline since. Am not sure we will see the likes of that side again, which is good from a league point of view, if not from a Saints fan's pov!

I didn't think that about us at all but I did think it about Leeds. Predominantly, Leeds are still the side they were 3 or 4 years ago and that's their problem. Whereas we are a totally different side to the one we were 3 or 4 years ago, which is our strength. Our squad has an average age of 23 years. That shows in some of the wrong decisions we make (ie lack of experience) but also in the potential we have to move into the next phase of our life as a team. After 2006 the only way for Saints was down as no team can maintain that level of success but we have managed that change very well. Leeds have yet to begin. So I would say that Leeds were a shadow of their former selves while we were an exciting glimpse of our future selves. And Simmons is doing a great job with what he has to hand.

I would agree with you, and think that the young players coming through will ensure that we remain a competitive force for the next few years. In Roby and Loamx, we have two real gems who can be the best in theirpositions for years to come, hopefully we can keep hold of them, and keep them relatively injury free. However, currently, we are in a rebuilding phase, or at least starting to emerge from it.