Re: Today’s game v Salford : Sun Sep 10, 2023 5:19 pm  

just_browny wrote:

It was just the sort of game we grew up watching on a Sunday afternoon

I know what you mean Browny, but back then we were a part time sport in the winter.

I think the comparison to the NRL is a relatively fair one. We don't have access to anywhere near as large a pool of talent of course, but there's no reason why we can't hold ourselves and the referees up to the same standards as the NRL. I watched NRL finals footy this weekend, and the pace and intensity was off the charts compared to Super League. We used to have it that exciting until about 10 years ago. Admittedly the defence back wasn't as great, but defence doesn't attract fans, champagne rugby does. When was the last time we saw a Super League side reproduce something like Saints 2000-05, Leeds, 2007-2010 or Warrington 2010-2013?

In this part of the world, we're a sport with a dwindling audience consisting of mainly ageing men, with a smattering of families bound by community allegiances. I can't see where any new fans are coming from with this sort of garbage served up by the top 6 sides of the top competition.

Re: Today’s game v Salford : Sun Sep 10, 2023 5:20 pm  

runningman29 wrote:

Sooner people realise Thewlis is championship level the better but can say that about a few on this team.

Seriously??

Re: Today’s game v Salford : Sun Sep 10, 2023 5:27 pm  

Alffi_7 wrote:

Any criticism of Chambers is unfair and questioning his passion is ridiculous - is he inspiring? Probably not. He’s not even a head coach, 12 month’s experience about ten years ago, personally I think it’s setting him up for a bit of a fall, should have given it to Marshall with Chambers DoR straight off the bat.

Good shout. It's unfair to criticize Chambers when he probably doesn't want to be in that responsible role,and hasn't got the experience. It's wrong to make him culpable.

Re: Today’s game v Salford : Sun Sep 10, 2023 5:31 pm  

morleys_deckchair wrote:

you can see why the first thing Burgess has done is bring in new centres.... we offer up little no no threat on the edges.

There is no dangerous running from our centres or our second rowers.. its appalling.

If we cant bulldoze our way through the middle, we are relying on kicks into the corners and errors... it makes us very easy to defend against from those areas.

Ratchford now looks like he is running through treacle.. he was never quick, but he was elusive and could get through a gap.. all that has long gone and he is just a passenger these days.

Hopefully with Fitzgibbon, Tai (and others) coming in next season, we will correct this part of our team, which i feel is currently the worst in the league

100% agree, but we need some attacking shape, just adding better centres / back rowers won’t fix it., the problem with Dufty is he struggles with that 3rd pivot option and is much more effective in the middle of the field. Problem with that is we lose that option out of the back. If we use Dufty we need old school half attaching shape with 13 first receiver, then Drinkwater with Williams as the option.

Re: Today’s game v Salford : Sun Sep 10, 2023 5:40 pm  

For the love of god get rid of Stefan. I can, at best, tolerate that man on the bench as a utility player (which is what he should’ve been for the past 5 seasons) but he’s a millstone in terms of what he offers and his in-game responses and attitude. Average player, dreadful leader.

Re: Today’s game v Salford : Sun Sep 10, 2023 6:00 pm  

Issue with Thewlis is he isn’t really a winger. He’s still learning the position. He often lacks the instinct. Seen him fail to react to breaks a few times this year.

Re: Today’s game v Salford : Sun Sep 10, 2023 6:00 pm  

Issue with Thewlis is he isn’t really a winger. He’s still learning the position. He often lacks the instinct. Seen him fail to react to breaks a few times this year.

Re: Today’s game v Salford : Sun Sep 10, 2023 6:03 pm  

just_browny wrote:

I must admit I find this sort of talk very tedious. Today's result was disappointing, but it had good tries from both sides, the lead changing hands several times, Singleton being a bell, Sneyd's near drop goal.. plenty of entertainment and memorable moments. It was just the sort of game we grew up watching on a Sunday afternoon and well matched sides.

Earlier in the weekend I watched two complete mismatches in the NRL (which I do like btw) and turned off at half time.

All three games contained more skill and entertainment than the garbage plastered all over ITV at the moment. Nome of the large crowds seem to lose interest when there are a few knock ons or when a completely mystifying penalty is awarded.

Fair enough. Just telling it as I see it. I have gone from never missing a Super League game on TV to only watching ours plus the occasional other game. I found those two one-sided games fantastic to watch - two teams that are playing rugby out of this world.

Re: Today’s game v Salford : Sun Sep 10, 2023 6:47 pm  

I'm currently watching the Saints v Bradford GF from 2002 and the difference in speed or the ptb and even just movement in general play versus the game today is insane. I know its a different level of intensity but still, this was essentially a lesser play off game really in theory. The gulf in quality of spectacle is embarassing.

Re: Today’s game v Salford : Sun Sep 10, 2023 6:51 pm  

So easy to fix. Anyone on here could sort in 30 mins. Watching early SL highlights gets me so annoyed. It’s a disgrace it’s been allowed to come to this.