Re: Saints 24th June : Sat Jun 18, 2011 7:40 pm  

Raymond Pennington wrote:

But our home form this year has been shocking and we need to be really on song for this.

Won 5 and lost 3, with 2 of those loses only having 2 points in them.

4th best home form overall, top on points scored and 2nd on least points conceded at home, how is that shocking.

Re: Saints 24th June : Sat Jun 18, 2011 8:16 pm  

lister wrote:

Won 5 and lost 3, with 2 of those loses only having 2 points in them.

4th best home form overall, top on points scored and 2nd on least points conceded at home, how is that shocking.

Stats don't tell the full story though. The two games with two points in it we played pretty poor. The Hull game was poor and we were fortunate to get the win against Hull KR.

Shocking might have been a bit strong but we are either hot or cold at home this season with nothing in between.

Re: Saints 24th June : Sat Jun 18, 2011 9:12 pm  

Saddened! wrote:

I think Wigan's style of play is perfect anti-Saints methodology. Aggressive defense, numbers in the tackle, slow the play the ball to remove Roby from the game and do the basics well with the ball. Warrington can do that better than Wigan if they play it that way. Position is enough these days against Saints as we're not strong enough to defend the line as some of the farcical tries Wigan scored proved (Mossop, Lima and Finch).

But if there was a strong refereeing performance that cut out the obvious attempts to slow the play the ball down there is still enough quality to beat Warrington.

I must say, that assessment is spot on.

Re: Saints 24th June : Sat Jun 18, 2011 9:35 pm  

Tomorrow is huge for us before we start to look at the Saints game ! It will be a real toughie. I think the way we have been playing this season (both defensively and offensively), it shouldn't be that much of a problem, as it could have been. The man who works everything for K R is Dobson. I think that we will boss that aspect of the game, in the kicking respect. Should be a real physical and scrappy contest, but I think we will come out winners.

Re: Saints 24th June : Sat Jun 18, 2011 11:37 pm  

Saddened! wrote:

I think Wigan's style of play is perfect anti-Saints methodology. Aggressive defense, numbers in the tackle, slow the play the ball to remove Roby from the game and do the basics well with the ball. Warrington can do that better than Wigan if they play it that way. Position is enough these days against Saints as we're not strong enough to defend the line as some of the farcical tries Wigan scored proved (Mossop, Lima and Finch).

But if there was a strong refereeing performance that cut out the obvious attempts to slow the play the ball down there is still enough quality to beat Warrington.

And ironically the slowing down of the play the ball was first perfected by Saints in the late 90s, early 00s, with the 123 1 player off, 123 another off etc which Referee's couldn't actually penalise. It was a perfect technique and Saints executed it phenomenally and gave the defensive line ample time to get set up.

As you said though Hudds, Wigan and Warrington now control the pace of the game well - a far cry from the Cullen era where teams used to snatch quick PTB's for fun.

I think we just need to start in a similar fashion to the game at the Stobart. A 10pt lead into halftime and I'd be very happy. And after Makinson and McCarthy-Scarsbrook's performances last night, they look the very weak links.

Re: Saints 24th June : Sat Jun 18, 2011 11:43 pm  

Champions Again wrote:

And after Makinson and McCarthy-Scarsbrook's performances last night, they look the very weak links.

Makinson played well, it was just the one kick for Richards were he let himself down! But even top wingers would fail there in taking that!

Re: Saints 24th June : Sun Jun 19, 2011 12:15 am  

Build-up to that was poor also, buried into his own in-goal I think.

And against someone like Monaghan, he'll have a tough evening.

Re: Saints 24th June : Sun Jun 19, 2011 9:57 am  

Lord Tony Smith wrote:

Let focus on tomorrows tough game first.

My sentiments exactly.

Re: Saints 24th June : Sun Jun 19, 2011 10:20 am  

MrF wrote:

Saints will be a different side on Friday - I fully expect Cunningham, Long and Sculthorpe to be fit for this one and would be surprised to see the game go down to a one point ball game.

Must admit I'm more concerned with that winger of theirs, Tom Van Vollenhoven. Got a great try scoring record and if Joel isnt fit we might have a bit of trouble with him. I dont think Rhys Williams is up to containing him so we may have to get Matt king to switch wings.

Thoughts ???