I think we are under pressure.

After a couple of years of underperformance (both in general and in derby games) we as a club want to make a statement about being back. The players need it and, in my opinion, the club needs it as we have seen some disappointing performance since moving into LP.

There's a feel good factor returning to Saints and it's important we don't waste that with another spineless derby disappointment.

From a Saints POV, none of this really matters. We started well, but since we bust a gut against Leeds, we've looked very ropey. We also still have the memories from 2 or 3 seasons littered with dreadful performances in the back of our minds.

Wigan always seem to be very highly charged for the derby. I would back the Saints team from the first week, but I'm not sure if we're still at that level any more. I also think Wigan will see this as a great opportunity to put a real marker down.

So I'm not too confident. I think this new Saints side [ishould[/i come out on top, but sport's not easy.

A lot may hinge on whether Amor is playing. He's been a terrific signing and is the guy to really soak up your early physicality.

I agree with u to a point mate. Leeds over recent years and also Wigan have shown that the league positions mean very little. It's the ability to perform in the big games that counts and as far as this season goes, this is a real chance for Saints to put a marker down and say they are back! You have had a very good start to the season whilst we have spluttered a bit. If we get a win (unlikely I think) then it might really burst saints bubble and be the motivation Wigan need to kick on. We have a good performance waiting to come out and I just hope it's this week!!

thats exactly my point!

you are top of the pile and this is probably your next biggest test so far this season so everyone in the game will be looking at how saints can handle it, against last years double winners, just as they will be looking at wigan to see what impact our personnel losses will really have in arguably our biggest test of the season so far.

due to our uncertain form of late, not many in the game will expect a wigan win against a saints team top of the pile on 100%. hence, pressure on saints to show they are the real deal.... which I don't see them doing!

I'm growing in confidence by day to be honest. we have a good record at your gaff and you have also lost a couple of good players to injury recently, I think it will be close in the forwards, you will edge it in your backs but MS and BG will dictate the play.

excited!

Whilst I don't disagree with much of your post, for some reason I don't see this as a game against last years double winners. Last years double winners had Tomkins/Richards/Hansen/Mossop.

I know that makes no sense (as Wigan WERE last season's double winners) but it doesn't feel that way to me.

We have only had 2 games so far (not counting friendlies) at Langtree haven't we? And won 1 each?

nope, I totally understand your comments. if we were to look at last years' teams, any fan would be hard pushed to disagree that our standings in the table would be reversed. should make for a cracker either way and I'm hoping I will still be able to use this forum without too much embarrassment further to my claims on this topic, come Friday afternoon!



true! perhaps I should replace "your gaff" with "in recent years"

Touché!

But we shouldn't get too carried away with that, when they lost Finch and Leuluei, they replaced them with allegedly inferior lads but performed better and that Burgess lad looks mustard and, goal kicking aside, a more dangerous winger than Richards.
Mossop also seemed inconsistent last year.
Obviously Tomkins is a miss, but I think they'll have missed Hansen too, especially in the games where they had no S O'L either - him being back playing must be a real boost.

Should be a belting game if both teams turn up and play. I fear we could lose to Wigan, but it also wouldn't be the end of the world (well maybe until Easter Monday).

This is a test for both sides

Saints have Amor, Swift, Laffranchi, Percival and Manu missing. Advantage Wigan.

Saints fans seem very confident, a little over confident probably. Aside from the Leeds win, I don't think they've been all that impressive - although you can only beat what's infront of you. It's good going into a derby knowing that it'll be competitive though, instead of a predictable whacking



There's one thing about Wigan, even when we're not playing great we turn it on for the derby. Should be a close game with a few points in it I reckon.

Excuses excuses...

Having seen the squad we have just announced I'm not confident at all. Wigan probably slight favourites now.

Haha not at all, just stating fact. I bit like when we beat you last year and you lot told us it was because you were resting folk for the cup semi.

If we play to our potential, we will win. Our core players can draw on years of experience of beating Saints, and winning real pressure games.
Saints have had to start the season well, to try to rebuild confidence and credibility. They haven't been able to rest players for the CC, and still won't be able to, so have to try to sustain peak effort over a long period of time. Wigan have been doin what we did with such good effect last year, playing low key rugby in the low key games. We have also rested our key players, so that we will be well placed to have a mini peak around Easter, as we usually do.
We would beat a full strength Saints team on our day, and the day we the likes of Swift and Amor cause any sleepless nights are still a long way off yet.
I predict Brown to break into tears about naughty, rough Wigan and Clubb to aim straight at LMS on his first charge and scatter him - he's the daddy of the sarf!

I think winning runs sometimes get hard to maintain the longer they go on, overconfidence can turn to lethargy and carelessness when facing lesser teams who will always give their all for the top sides, and the best sides become even harder to beat because they want to spoil the party and prove a point. Anyway I hope that’s the case on Friday, and let a bad decision or two go are way this time. Yeah a wrong call giving us a last minute steal would be real sweet!

No need to write about Wigan like that

We did

Tomkins, Hansen and O'Loughlin all played the week before and the week after but missed the Saints game. We also only played McIlorum for about 20 minutes. I wonder if Saints will rest Lomax, Soliola and Walsh then take Roby off early doors? Somehow I doubt it. Sure you're missing a few players but no one pivotal like we were last year. You won't see us banging on about Charnley and Crosby being missing if we lose

No we will do all our "resting" v Widnes on Monday I imagine.

p.s. Roby and Soliola missed the game at Langtree last year too

Pure comedy genius .Had a great season last year granted but that was last year .We have a far superior team to 2013 whereas yours is vastly inferior.Keep believing that your going to peak again when it counts if thats what eases the losses to huddersfield and cas does.The derby can go either way but our starting 13 and squad is vastly superior to yours this year .

They probably just decided to make a fortnight of it and take the family somewhere. I would if I lived in St Helens.

Haha. I think they rented a caravan in Platt Bridge for the weekend.

Luxury! Would have been a paradise to us etc