[quote="SFW":176ru98x]Plenty of talk around the unprofessional way we have gone about some if not all of these 'negotiations'. It's no secret the amount of work Wigan do around this in comparison and whilst they aren't reinventing the wheel it obviously has an impact, particularly on impressionable young players and their families. Hopefully some lessons learned. There are some whispers around Sambou maybe having second thoughts but the fact they haven't been chosen in the squad for West Hull is telling. I've seen and heard some hilarious flipping of opinions on Vaughan from both sides since Monday, I think he's going to have a good eventually. May lack size currently but can easily see him being a useful, grafting back rower in the Isa mould as you mention above. His attitude and fitness are first class.[/quote:176ru98x] Vaughan is nearly 6' 2" and still only 19. He will have no trouble putting the pounds on. The only issue is, and none of us know, will he continue to develop as a player.

[quote="RobRiches":3dnhjhlx]Wigan celebrating signing the runts of the litter who didn’t get offered more than a year extension by saints is proper cringe.[/quote:3dnhjhlx] Thank you Mr Rush.

[quote="Mark_P1973":130t1056]One of my work colleagues used to go to school with a former player (now retired) who used to play for Saints, and then signed for Wigan. At that point in time, he was expected to sign / return to Saints because he'd played for Saints and that was the approach that Saints used, and basically put no effort into it. Wigan took him to the club, showed him round, made him feel wanted etc, and he signed for us. I know that is only a specific example, and there's no doubt Wigan wont get it right or do it right with every player, but many when they sign say how Wigan approached the signature and how they are made to feel wanted. on the flip side, i've read one of our youngsters say that Leigh made him feel wanted, but then also thanked Wigan for their assistance in making it happen re the 2 youngster that have been discussed this week one of my former work colleagues is a die hard Saint, and he was giving Wigan and the young lads loads on Facebook until i explained that neither party had done anything wrong if they do sign for Wigan. He didnt know about the rule change and thought Wigan were being underhand and speaking to contracted players. To be honest i'm not sure i like the new rule, but it has certainly given us all some talking points late in the off season [/quote:130t1056] If you get the opportunity to speak with Matty Smith ask him about Wigan's professionalism, he will leave you in no doubt about how the two clubs compare.

Stunned Saints only posted 38 points against an amateur team, including only scoring 10 points in the second half. Plenty to work on for Briers with the attack.

[quote="NickyKiss":c7h1dleh]Stunned Saints only posted 38 points against an amateur team, including only scoring 10 points in the second half. Plenty to work on for Briers with the attack.[/quote:c7h1dleh] I'm naturally wary of St Helens but the signs during pre season aren't promising.

[quote="RobRiches":35oeulkp]Wigan celebrating signing the runts of the litter who didn’t get offered more than a year extension by saints is proper cringe.[/quote:35oeulkp] Is it that time of year already? Day release at Rampton. Your pearls of wisdom have been sorely missed, even if they are about as welcome as a fart in a lift.

[quote="NickyKiss":2gk66xmb]Stunned Saints only posted 38 points against an amateur team, including only scoring 10 points in the second half. Plenty to work on for Briers with the attack.[/quote:2gk66xmb] You can't polish a turd. They are totally reliant on Welsby delivering but he is too in and out for form. When he is 'off' they suffer badly. It's no secret that i don't rate him anyway, a media darling but he can't link with Lomax because he offers nothing and neither did Dodd. They need Sailor to be very good.

[quote="MadDogg":2mwnaxap]I'm naturally wary of St Helens but the signs during pre season aren't promising.[/quote:2mwnaxap] There seems to be some talk that they're 'holding their best back' but I don't buy in to that. Maybe they didn't want to show their hand against Salford, due to that being the first game but there are no excuses for not running the cleaners through an amateur team. They held some players back but you'd expect your reserves (and it was far strong than that) to run up a huge score, even if it was just done due to the difference in fitness levels. To score only 10 points in the 2nd half is incredible really.

Whose going to be doing the inplay kicking for saints? Never been Lomax strong point nor Welsby, I think Sailors more a runner than a kicker. We are blessed to have Harry Smith

[quote="RobRiches":1bhjqzgz]Wigan celebrating signing the runts of the litter who didn’t get offered more than a year extension by saints is proper cringe.[/quote:1bhjqzgz] Really missed you and your excellent analysis of Wigan RL little fella,may it continue How do you think this season will pan out what with Saints being the greatest team of all time, will they win the lot again, oh wait I will re-phrase that ,will they win anything this season. I am really interested on your well educated take on the game

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 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.