So Friday see us go to the form team in SL.
They look the team to beat this year and it'll be a tough ask however the weekend after Easter can throw up some interesting results with fatigue and squad rotation.

We'll have a better idea once the squads are announced but I think we have a shot, provided we don't gift them points and field position a la Monday!

I wouldn't be surprised to see a fair amount of squad rotation with Taylor and Mini both getting a break after playing big minutes over Easter. Hopefully Manu will be back along with Carlos, Shaul and Houghton.
I'd expect Masi, Lane and Fash to all play with Logan possibly coming in too.

I reckon Taylor and Mini will play, Carlos, Shaul and Houghton will play if fit, and the rest of the pack will be rotated depending on who needs resting the most.

If Manu is back I'd be surprised if Mini plays. He played both Easter games so could probably do with a break.
That said, if they are feeling good and have recovered well then we'd be stronger with both in. Radders will know better than us what state the players are in.

I noticed that Luke Douglas got sin binned for a crusher tackle against Widnes. Would be useful if he copped a 1 game ban, especially with Walmsley out too.

maybe have taylor and mini on the bench,

Squad for Friday:
1. Jamie Shaul
3. Carlos Tuimavave
4. Josh Griffin
5. Fetuli Talanoa
6. Albert Kelly
7. Marc Sneyd
8. Scott Taylor
9. Danny Houghton
12. Mark Minichiello
13. Josh Bowden

14. Jake Connor
15. Chris Green
17. Danny Washbrook
20. Brad Fash
21. Sika Manu
22. Jez Litten
23. Mickey Paea
24. Jack Logan
26. Jordan Lane

My team:

Shaul
Griffin
Tuimavave
Connor
Talanoa
Kelly
Sneyd
Taylor
Houghton
Green
Manu
Lane
Bowden

Paea
Fash
Washbrook
Mini

Possibly Logan to come in if one of the backs is particularly fatigued.
Litten to miss out just because with Houghton back I don't think we need him.

Just to complete my conversation with myself, the Saints squad.


19 MAN SQUAD
1 Jonny Lomax
2 Tommy Makinson
3 Ryan Morgan
4 Mark Percival
5 Theo Fages
6 Matty Smith
7 James Roby
8 Kyle Amor
9 Zeb Taia
10 Jon Wilkin
11 Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook
12 Luke Douglas
13 Morgan Knowles
14 Luke Thompson
15 Dominique Peyroux
16 Danny Richardson
17 Regan Grace
18 Matty Lees
19 Ben Barba

It's Luke Thompson's go forward we'll have to combat and Barba from deep.
Tough task.

Hicks ref with Thaler VR. Congrats Saints

.

saints named the same squad that played on monday, hopefully our rested/returning players will give us the edge

I hope it is foggy

Tough game, but should have fitness on them, so if can keep it tight till 60 mins then we have a real chance. Need to play better than we have all season, if we have one of our bad spells they will blow us out of the water.

I'm quite confident to be honest, not seen to much to worry about apart from Barba. If whoever plays right can do a job on Percivil and Houghton does his usual job on Roby, think we'll get the win, of course sky been there will keep saints in touch if required ! Defo can a see another red card coming up

Firstly, we had one controversial decision go our way all game, you’re clearly forgetting the clear decisions which didn’t go our way like the Williams obstruction on Morgan, the Wilkin knock on that went backwards, the penalty to Farrell which wasn’t and the supposed knock on from the last short kick off.

Secondly, you’ve won 5 out of 9, we’ve won 8 out of 9 yet you’re quite confident. You say there’s nothing to worry about apart from Barba yet you mention how your right centre needs to do job on Percival and Houghton needs to do a job on Roby, bit of a contradiction. Also, Houghton is a good player, Roby is world class and 10x the player.

Alright Alright, Calm Down, Calm Down. Barba is worry, but I was been generous about the other 2, Houghton will have Roby in his pocket as per usual, and Griffin will beast Percival, hope that clears it up for you. Come on, your the great St Helens, Sky and ref will keep you within at least 10 points

Griffin is rubbish and Roby is miles better than Houghton. Houghton is that good he didn’t get in the England squad very overrated player. You’ll probably be one of our easier games, we’ll beat you fairly comfortably. Nothing to worry about in your team, you couldn’t beat Salford, very predictable 5 drives up the middle then a high bomb.

Why not Litten instead of Washbrook, two pronged attack, Litten certainly great off the mark and if forwards are tiring in the middle from the Easter weekend then he could help capitalise on that, Washbrook certainly doesn't have that in him.
Logan would be a good shout too because he does have pace and will be fresh and use Griffin as a second row as many have suggested and rest Minichello, particularly if Manu is back.

I'd rather go with the taking the game to them approach rather than a more defensive orientated approach because I just don't see us coping with their attack.
Take the Brazil of yesteryear approach if you will.

Dry and mild temperature forecast, we've also offered the terrible duo Hicks and Thaler a free nosh before the game.

A sniff of the thin oxygen at the top of the table is sending you lot daft, nay delusional, Houghton is the equal of Roby, just does the job subtly different. Next you'll be saying Barba is world class and on a par with Lyons and Meninga ...oh wait your lot already have!




last season he was rubbish, this seasons he's doing well in a very good saints outfit, it's a bit like saying that turncoat Castleford winger was the standout player in 2016. He's not a standout when the team isn't doing well, that's Roby.

And in any case a crack head like him shouldn't even be playing in this country, it's a disgrace he even got a visa. He'll be gone soon enough and then Hemmings can stop with the crusty sock over him

Houghton overated, don't talk daft. Cocky saints are back, been missing for two years. I expect you to win, you could even win comfy, you are playing well, but so did Cas last year and Warrington the year before, you are certainly beatable just as Leeds with half there team out showed.

I see your point about Litten, but Houghton is fresh and will more than likely play the 80, so Washy offers utility, I think Litten will start getting more gametime next year though.

Griffin who has been excellent should start on the wing, too much of a risk in the backrow where he is untested. Logan unlucky not to get more gametime this year, I'm sure his chance will come

I wouldn't take the baiting of AS108, most saints fans are expecting a tough game but are expecting Barba to be the difference between the 2 sides. Hope there a lot of Hull Fans coming over.

Yeah you have a great record against us in the last few years



Scousers are hilarious

I think the saints pitch being like a ploughed field will benefit the home side

Mainly because I think Houghton is our best hooker by a distance and we'll be better served by having on the pitch for 80 mins.

If Radders is intending to spell Houghton then I'd go with Litten over Washbrook.