Super League XVII

[jimbo]

Wow. Finally calmed down after Friday night. What a game. Disappointing result obviously, but you can't complain when entertainment like that is served up. Saints were completely in control for the first hour before one of the biggest momentum shifts I've ever seen in a game. The way Catalans came back, and the way they threw the ball about at the end was incredible. It was up there with Saints' own 'Wide to West' try in a playoff match against Bradford where Saints were behind when the hooter went, and then scored from deep in their own half with a dozen passes to win the game.

If anyone didn't see Friday night, it's well worth a watch on the Super league show this week. The skills on show from both sides were top notch, and as I mentioned, I've never seen anything like the Catalans handling. Anyone with an interest in sport will have been gripped by the game, and with viewing figures up substantially for this season games like that can only help to increase popularity.

Here's the wide to west try - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhGEldMGoSM
And here's the Millard one from Friday http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PC8zBF-hzfo

[Bruce Rioja]

Stunning. Cheers, James.

[Salford Trotter]

it's just like watching Salford play

[Gail Platz]

Went to Castleford away today and Sam Tomkins gave them a lesson in how to play the sport. It was so unbelievably easy, all he did each time was throw a dummy and he was straight through their defence.

He completely overshadowed Rangi Chase and showed who the real man of steel should be.

[jimbo]

I'd say the two stand out players in the league are Tomkins and Roby. Impossible to compare the influence of the two, though Roby would be the first name on the team sheet anywhere in the world for me. The man is a machine.

[Gail Platz]

Yeah he's really stepped up in the hooker role and an additional kicker just adds confusion for the other teams. He's a top player, if he had a bit more pace he'd be one of the best in the world I reckon.

[Salford Trotter]

The Mighty City Reds go above the Saintswell at least for 48 hours

[Gail Platz]

The Mighty City Reds go above the Saintswell at least for 48 hours

Good win for you guys tonight, London were 12/1 to finish bottom earlier on in the week and I'm thinking of sticking a fiver on that, as it's definitely between them and Widnes.

Thought Cas gave a good account of themselves tonight too, definitely much better than when I saw them against Wigan last week.

[Salford Trotter]

The Mighty City Reds go above the Saintswell at least for 48 hours

Good win for you guys tonight, London were 12/1 to finish bottom earlier on in the week and I'm thinking of sticking a fiver on that, as it's definitely between them and Widnes.

Thought Cas gave a good account of themselves tonight too, definitely much better than when I saw them against Wigan last week.

It's the first time in 6 years we've won 3 on the bounce but with a trip to Perpignon next I don't expect it to be 4!

[jimbo]

The Mighty City Reds go above the Saintswell at least for 48 hours

I'd say for at least a week - we're off to Huddersfield tomorrow. To win that we'll have to make big improvements in defence. One positive is Jamie Foster has been dropped.

[Gail Platz]

The Mighty City Reds go above the Saintswell at least for 48 hours

One positive is Jamie Foster has been dropped.

Good, I'm bloody sick of him never missing penalties and conversions!

[jimbo]

The Mighty City Reds go above the Saintswell at least for 48 hours

One positive is Jamie Foster has been dropped.

Good, I'm bloody sick of him never missing penalties and conversions!

Haha. Lucky for him he never misses. If he started missing them, he'd be off to Leigh pretty pronto. He's the most overrated player in the competition. Compare him to other young wingers around the country and he's light years behind. Even Makinson has come in and proved himself to be a much more accomplished player. Only so far kicking goals can get you, and if you make 3 glaring defensive errors like last week then you end up costing your side more points than you gain them.

[Salford Trotter]

The Mighty City Reds go above the Saintswell at least for 48 hours

I'd say for at least a week - we're off to Huddersfield tomorrow. To win that we'll have to make big improvements in defence. One positive is Jamie Foster has been dropped.

You weren't wrong Jimbo, another close game too. Losing someone of Roby's class would be blow to any side. Your next two look very winnable Hull (h) and Bradford (a) before you host Leeds.

[jimbo]

Sounds like they were better today, but it's worrying that the side seems to have lost their habit of coming out on top in the close ones. Also had a thought earlier about the strength of the side. Was confident of a good season at the start due to the massive strength in depth Saints have - probably the best in the league, but I'm starting to wonder whether they lack the real top end quality that Wigan and Wire have that will win them the big games. Time will tell, but we need to get on some sort of roll soon.

As for Roby, that news has ruined my weekend. As Royce said, he's tough as anything so must be pretty bad for him to come off. He's the one player who can make us tick, and it will need someone - either Hohaia or Flanagan playing out of position to replace him.

[Gail Platz]

We got our tactics spot on against Catalans, made them camp in their own half and hit their forwards with some solid shots.

Their forwards are massive, Paea, Sa (who I think is a centre but could easily play prop) and Fakir are absolute beasts and I can understand why they get so many good wins.

[jimbo]

Doubt anyone would have predicted this weekend's results. Starting with Saints, they were as poor as I've ever seen them on Friday and never looked like a real threat to the Hull line. Horrible one dimensional stuff, with no direction from the halves or hooker. Amazing how much we missed Roby at the PTB. Hohaia looked like he was operating in slow-mo, and was on a different page to the rest of the team. Needless to say I was pretty despondant after that, but with Wigan (why did he pick that team!? Was it arrogance?) and Wire dropping points as well it means we're not TOO far behind despite the dire run we've been on. The next 4 are huge - Bradford, Wire, Wigan and Leeds. 3 wins from those would catapult us back into the mix. Big ask going on current form, but surely from here the only way is up. Lose those games, and the writing will be on the wall for Simmonds.

[jimbo]

Seems like Saints' problems are mounting after the Soliola incident midweek. Hopefully he isn't too badly affected, as him and Roby have been the stand out players this season.

[jimbo]

Saints confirm they have sacked Simmons this morning after the blip became a crisis on Saturday. Interesting to see who takes the post now. Mike Rush and KC in charge for the time being.

[Gail Platz]

Saints confirm they have sacked Simmons this morning after the blip became a crisis on Saturday. Interesting to see who takes the post now. Mike Rush and KC in charge for the time being.

Got to say I had a bit of a chuckle to myself when I saw the news. As for losing to Widnes, I do think it was arrogance and Wane obviously needs to learn from that. Never saw such ridiculous decisions under Madge, he'd stick out his first team regardless of opposition and look what it won him, everything that Super League can offer in just two years.

One thing's for sure if we still had Madge now we'd be running away with the league this year!

[bobo the clown]

Saints confirm they have sacked Simmons this morning after the blip became a crisis on Saturday. Interesting to see who takes the post now. Mike Rush and KC in charge for the time being.

Megson's free.