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.

The game looks amature enough at times without one if it's own slamming it at an important time.

I get what your saying about trying to get things done by getting certain things out in the open but it's just not the time imo.

I'd have personally thought the St Helens players had more pressing issues then who's deserving of a play off spot but hey ho.I expect these comments could fire 1 or 2 of Saints potential play off opponents up which is something I have no problem with.

One player is certainly fired up, unfortunately he seems to have directed his fire at the wrong target.

You'll be as drunk and ecstatic as me though if we win it

Yeah I'm aware of that but I'm only 24 so when I talk of tradition I mean my tradition

The last time they had a 16 team play off system in 1973 a "Stevo" captained Dewsbury side won the league from 8th!

It was so daft that last year (when they relegated the bottom 14 of 30 teams to a new Division 2) Wigan managed to finish 16th only just avoiding relegation on points difference - yet still qualified for the play offs!

Maybe this is the direction the RFL want to pursue, could be top 10 next season.....a new concept of onwards and downwards.

If my memory seves me correctly that is also the year that Warrington last won the league.

He knows the rules so he should get on with it or play a differant game.

There is now a four page thread on what Wilkin said. That's one hell of an influence he has there!

You've clearly all not read Peacock's version of events. He knocks the club call idea.

If people want a positive spin on everything, I suggest they work for Sky. However, if people want to debate the issues around rugby league then read Jon's articles as invariably they create discussion.

Personally, I prefer players in the media who are not a$$ kissers but who provide an honest opinion even when it is controversial. Sometimes I'll agree, sometimes I won't. But why do people want players simply to be mouthpieces for the establishment POV? Seems daft to me.

You may criticise James Graham for what he said prior to the Magic weekend - and plenty of Saints fans did the same - but James Graham also publically said on the BBC last season after the CC semi final, played in over 80 degree heat, that better care should be taken of players, they shouldn't have to play in that kind of heat without water breaks, etc. Did he have a valid point then or was he just whinging? Personally, I thought he was spot on. I was at that match and it was very hot for the speccies never mind the players. Not that officials have taken much notice but it was good that he said what he did IMO as it brought attention to a lack of care.

Topped the league yeah. I did hear goal kicking cost them in the play offs though

a senior player has spoke his mind and stated what many fans are thinking and he gets shot down!


hypocrites.....

The same senior player speaks his mind.....

again.....

and again........

and again........

and again........

and again........