Magic Superbeetle

Sailor has, I don’t think, ever been criticised for his performances at fullback. It’s only when playing at halfback has he been (rightfully) criticised, because, fundamentally, he’s not a halfback, nor well suited to halfback. What that means when Welsby comes back, I don’t know. As for Wellens, there are still bigger tests to come. Beat Leigh, and one of the remaining Wigan/ HKR games, then maybe theres enough there to justify Wellens in. The club has made its stance clear that Wellens is here until the end of the year at least and I think most fans have got behind that. That was a game we would have lost 12 months ago, and the team as a whole seem to have collectively taken the magic weekend fiasco as a turning point. We have some clear bright lights, Dagnall, Robertson, Delaney, Stephans, and the majority of our injuries (bar Welsby) should clear out in the next month, giving us some real quality in depth and competition for places. There are still some weaknesses, Lomax, and right back row (irrespective of who we play there) which means we’re never going to look polished in attack. But hey, we won a grand final with Mark Flanagan and Lance Hohaia in the halves, so you know what they say

Whats been wrong with Fedlt? Had a couple of injuries this year but been nowt wrong with his commitment- if anything he looks too ready to start a fight. Waqa was a bizarre set of circumstances, butt he fact is were discussing someones motivation for signing in August, not January like when Blake signed. It seems to be that the main problem, and the reason behind the latest interview is his wife struggling to get a visa following her .... ahem ... indiscretion. That may have changed things, but there was nothing wrong with his motivation prior to that.

Lets be fair, Saints are one of the worst offenders for not developing their own, I mean theres only Welsby, and Robertson, and Whitby, and Dagnall, and Sambou, and Vaughan (albeit for Salford) and Dodd (albeit whatever is going on at Souths) and Delaney and Stephans who have come through in the last couple of years. Theres really only Davies, and Penketh and Campbell, and Walsh, and the McGann brothers, and Keeley and Humphreys and Matagi in the academy with a reasonable shot of getting pro ...

Im sorry Delaney is a myth? In the 4 SL games so far this year hes averaging 120m per game, with an average carry of 8.6m, and 28 tackles. What more are you expecting from a 21 year old prop whose still got a LOT of physical maturing to do? He, Robertson and Whitby (whose not on the original list) have all fielded NRL offers before making their debut for Saints.

Where have you seen Saints signing Newman? Find it highly unlikely given how Robertson has started. If in a years time we cant renew Sailor, then maybe but would be amazed if its happening this season. If we were taking anyone from Leeds I would prefer Holroyd. Saints are clearing the decks rather than being forced by cap pressure. We expect a good few more out the door too. Hurrell, Ritson, Paasi (maybe), Mbye, Davies, Bennison (maybe). Should leave us all told with 4 non-fed spots. Most are replaced internally already, just need a few NRL standard forwards to fill some of the gaps.

One of those rare occasions where all sides are happy.

Really interested on opinions on how Dagnall and Whitby got on on Duel Reg today?

No you're right, Whitley was only at Saints during scholarship years before the Widnes academy. All the talk he did about coming full circle I had assumed it was academy. Robertson will be fantastic dont get me wrong, and make all of these lists in a years time, but right now has played 13 games. Richardson has a SL winners ring and no doubt injuries have taken their toll, I dont think he can be taken out just yet. Of course, Whitby is likely to overtake all of them in the near future. In fact I wouldnt be surprised if Dagnall is in there as well. Hopefully Jake Davies can break our poor run of backrowers too.

Welsby, Bennison, Robertson, Percival, Lomax, Lees, Delaney, Knowles, Whitley, Wingfield - I count 10 for Saints, and given the team Salford put out suspect theyre ahead of everyone. Dagnall, Stephans, Whitby, Burns to all be included if were going off 21 man squads as well.

I know he plays for Wigan but fairly certain Luke Thompson would make our homegrown 17! As would Ashworth, and as much as Robertson is absolutely one to watch out for, a fully fit Richardson (assuming this is how were doing it?) probably still makes it ahead of him. Also think its a toss up between Simm and Cross. And since were allowed players currently at the club Matt Whitley absolutely gets into the backrow. Saints academy; Very good at props and halfbacks, very bad at backrowers. Outside backs seem to come once in a generation.

1. As I understand it Briers doesn’t want a head coaching gig, as he thinks he doesn’t have the right temperament for it. He sees head coaching as needing to be hyper detail orientated week by week and game by game, and he much prefers working with individuals and “bigger picture” targets (like “make the attack better”). 2. He would have stayed in Aus but his wife is homesick, and already come back over. 3. He wouldn’t have come to Saints if it weren’t for his relationship with Wellens. Suggestion is that this has played a part in Wellens getting an extension.

Saints fans spoilt next season by having 2 wingers for the first time in 2 years. A centre and a prop to go.

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/st-helens-lewis-murphy-super-29840701

Trust me when I say the root of Saints concerns stems from the attack. Too often this season we work ourselves into good position, don’t know what to do, get frustrated, Bomb it, lose our composure concede a penalty or 3 and then concede. Chase the game, still don’t know what to do in attack, and then completely meltdown. There are plenty of individuals that contribute to that and have individual poor defence (cough Ritson!) but between the incomings next season and much of the academy stepping up into backup roles next season (Robertson, Vaughan, Dagnall, Sambou, Whitby, Delaney, Stephans, Cowen should all get a similar amount of game time or more) should mean those players are largely forgotten.

Sambou and Dagnall are both two years away from being first team regulars (minimum - Sambou would have made his debut had it not been for injuries this year, Dagnall is last year of academy). We effectively needed to replace Makinson like for like to plug the gap until they’re ready. Fedlt is coming for less than Makinson is going to be earning at Catalans. We’re signing another winger anyway though who’s much younger if that makes you feel better? Briers will be in charge of our attack next year.