Rugby League - Super League 2011

jgraham said:
:lol:

Don't worry about us, we'll be there or there abouts when it matters.

As for Kyle we'll be a better team if its bye bye now, he's been a massive reason for the poor start.
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Gotta kick you while you're down(relatively)mate, doesn't happen that often so this is a rare chance to get some free cheap shots in :devil:

You need shot of that little gobshite pronto, what a brat of a man/infant he is.

Edit: Looks like Saints agree with me, Eastmond suspended today for breach of discipline.
 
Northstand said:
Any idea what that was all about?
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Not for sure, but the rumour is it's down to him flipping the V to the fans a week or two ago and complaints recieved surrounding that.

I'm happy they've done this, he was like a cancer on the team and he was threatening to completely ruin the season after only 5 games. Now though we're in a position were we have our first choice half backs rules out and so are going to have to rely and youth - as a Saints fan i'm used to winning and it's been second nature over the past 10 years or so but for this season I just want to see a bit of comittment and desire from the team. It's a strange year in itself with us being homeless so for me it's a case of get the season out of the way developing the younger lads and next season add a couple fo players in the halves to take us into out new stadium with a freshness that we're now lacking.

I saw Jonathan Thurston in the local Tescos t'other night, make of that what you will :smirk:
 
WireRed said:
That's because they simply aren't that good. 4th at best this season for Widnes, sorry Saints :smirk:, then it's bye bye Kyle and Jammer, hello mediocrity :p
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Wont be counting any chickens just yet...

Good win this weekend over what would be my 'local' side :) Especially seeing the start they've had to the season.

Pink kit wearing Southern Nancys.
 
What I learned from the Quins game:

Rhys Evans-Star in the making this kid, talent to burn and seemingly a mature head on his young shoulders.

Matty Blythe has the potential to be a top second-rower once Smith can move him there when some of our backs return from injury.

Wire have a top class, reliable goal-kicker for the first time since Davies in the 90's in Brett Hodgson.

Our attack seems a lot more balanced than in previous years. The go-to play was always Briers and the right edge, it's nice to see us equally dangerous down the left.

Michael Monaghan is the most influential player in SL. The difference between yesterday and the Wakefield game which he missed was stark. He's one player we simply cannot afford to lose to any long or medium-term injury. Sheer quality.

We've definately got a squad to match Wigan and anyone else in SL in terms of quality but most tellingly depth. The emergence of Blythe, Evans, Mitchell, and potential of McCarthy have added to the group we had last season. The fact we've achieved the results we have so far without King, Anderson, Atkins, Bridge, Morley, and the Monaghan's at various stages is very encouraging.

Harlequins were poor and looked like a side who realised their early season form is about to turn the other way...
 
WireRed said:
What I learned from the Quins game:

Rhys Evans-Star in the making this kid, talent to burn and seemingly a mature head on his young shoulders.

Matty Blythe has the potential to be a top second-rower once Smith can move him there when some of our backs return from injury.

Wire have a top class, reliable goal-kicker for the first time since Davies in the 90's in Brett Hodgson.

Our attack seems a lot more balanced than in previous years. The go-to play was always Briers and the right edge, it's nice to see us equally dangerous down the left.

Michael Monaghan is the most influential player in SL. The difference between yesterday and the Wakefield game which he missed was stark. He's one player we simply cannot afford to lose to any long or medium-term injury. Sheer quality.

We've definately got a squad to match Wigan and anyone else in SL in terms of quality but most tellingly depth. The emergence of Blythe, Evans, Mitchell, and potential of McCarthy have added to the group we had last season. The fact we've achieved the results we have so far without King, Anderson, Atkins, Bridge, Morley, and the Monaghan's at various stages is very encouraging.

Harlequins were poor and looked like a side who realised their early season form is about to turn the other way...
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I do like the look of Evans, we very rarely see star youngsters coming through in the backs and this lad looks to be just that. So long as he keeps his head down and works hard he will be a big player for you for years to come.

I think Roby for us is pretty much Like Monas for you, in that if he's missing we're a completely different outfit. I hate to be in that position though so hopefully over the season the 'key player' role will be spread out over a few.

Our game against Leeds was one of the most satisfying in recent times given the injuries we've got and the eastmond situation which had threaten to completely ruin our season. The difference in our game compered to those that eastmond has played was unreal and in Johnny Lomax & Jamie Foster we've got some good talent coming through, the half back combo of gaskell & Lomax who are both only 20 worked perfectly against a much more experienced Burrow & Sinfield combo.


Christofaux said:
Has Patten played a game yet?
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As for Luke Patten Chris - he's played most games I think and is now starting to find his feet having looked a bit shakey early doors. That was to be expected really though given the number of signings Salford made. They were always going to take a few games to get into any kind of stride.
 
Just got back from the Wigan-Wire game. Great credit to both sets of fans for a top turnout and superb atmosphere.

As for the game itself, I thought we looked nowhere near our best but pulled away to a convincing scoreline. I think it flattered us though because although we bullied them in the forwards, we looked quite laboured for long spells in attack. A few passes went astray, a few too many lateral runs etc. Wigan for their part looked quite poor and failed to capitalise on what I felt was a heavy penalty count in their favour and a few iffy calls. I think both teams can and will do better but from a Wire perspective, we look to be on the right path with a good depth of squad to take us forward.

On a sidenote, it was lovely to see "the best passer in SL"(according to Phil Clarke)prove that point by floating an absolute beauty into the arms of Myler :D
 
Going out after work for a beer is really affecting my ability to watch any Super League this season
 
WireRed said:
Just got back from the Wigan-Wire game. Great credit to both sets of fans for a top turnout and superb atmosphere.

As for the game itself, I thought we looked nowhere near our best but pulled away to a convincing scoreline. I think it flattered us though because although we bullied them in the forwards, we looked quite laboured for long spells in attack. A few passes went astray, a few too many lateral runs etc. Wigan for their part looked quite poor and failed to capitalise on what I felt was a heavy penalty count in their favour and a few iffy calls. I think both teams can and will do better but from a Wire perspective, we look to be on the right path with a good depth of squad to take us forward.

On a sidenote, it was lovely to see "the best passer in SL"(according to Phil Clarke)prove that point by floating an absolute beauty into the arms of Myler :D
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Absolutely huge crowd. Massively impressed with Wire's defence again. It's fecking brutal.

Iffy calls? Not for me* :wenger:




*very iffy :)
 
Great to see Widnes got the nod to get back where they belong next season earlier. Looking forward to the derbies next year already, 7 years is too long without a Wire-Widnes game. They'll add more to the competition than whoever they replace IMO, they are a big club with great history and support/rivalries, they've more to offer than the likes of Wakefield and especially Crusaders/Quins.
 
I think the place will be at the expense of Wakefield personally, think they'll stick with Crusaders and Quins they'll want to keep to see if they grow the game in London as well
 
EdWeatherall said:
I think the place will be at the expense of Wakefield personally, think they'll stick with Crusaders and Quins they'll want to keep to see if they grow the game in London as well
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Sadly I think you're right. On merit, the Crusaders experiment should be cut short, but in reality Wakefield look to be 2011's answer to Widnes in 2005, ie making way for a less deserving club on the grounds of location and agenda within the RFL to persist in developing a franchise within that area.

Crusaders may have finished 8th last year but that was with a class coach like Noble, and a bunch of Aussies and Kiwis that weren't good enough for NRL but clogged up that particular club and SL's young talent. They offer very little to te game except a source of income for the NRL cast offs that aren't good enough for the more established SL clubs. Wakefield on the other hand have been a competitive club for a long while, have a great coach in John Kear, and have just secured much needed funding which would see them competitive and on the up again if they were given that chance by the RFL, sadly it looks like they won't be and they'll persist with Crusaders.
 
WireRed said:
Sadly I think you're right. On merit, the Crusaders experiment should be cut short, but in reality Wakefield look to be 2011's answer to Widnes in 2005, ie making way for a less deserving club on the grounds of location and agenda within the RFL to persist in developing a franchise within that area.

Crusaders may have finished 8th last year but that was with a class coach like Noble, and a bunch of Aussies and Kiwis that weren't good enough for NRL but clogged up that particular club and SL's young talent. They offer very little to te game except a source of income for the NRL cast offs that aren't good enough for the more established SL clubs. Wakefield on the other hand have been a competitive club for a long while, have a great coach in John Kear, and have just secured much needed funding which would see them competitive and on the up again if they were given that chance by the RFL, sadly it looks like they won't be and they'll persist with Crusaders.
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Day and age of expansion I suppose. Unfortunately it dilutes what is a great, competitive league. It didn't take Southern RL clubs to get me interested in RL mind...I love the regionality of it personally. Folk are always goign to ask how sustainable it is though.

As you say good to see Widnes back in the big league, but should it be at the expense of Wakefield it'll be sad.
 
Wow, massive choke by Leeds there. Would never have happening under the Smith/McClennan regimes, not even a smidgen of a chance of pissing an 18 point lead up the wall. Despite a excellent performance, that last 15 minutes is a clear indicator as to why they won't be contesting the GF. A couple of quality forwards and a proven/savvy coach needed before Leeds get back to the glory days IMO.

From a Wigan POV, Sam Tomkins simply has to play at 6. They served up 60 minutes of bland rugby until he switched to the halves, then shock horror, 3 tries in the last quarter although a complete brainfart from Leeds helped big time. As an outsider looking in, he's wasted as a FB, the opposition have worked him out from there and he offers much more to Wigan than Finch/Deacon/O'Loughlin/Leuluai taking up his best position in the halves.
 
Bad result today for the team. I've just about got over the dreadful performance today enough to comment on it. Back down to earth with an almighty bump after the last few weeks. Just weren't good enough today, flat as a pancake, and got what we deserved. The Michael Monaghan influence on our team just cannot be stressed enough, with him on the field, I'm sure we'd have muddled through and won the game, the fact he got injured and spent most of the game on the sidelines showed in the performance and lack of direction we played with.

Anyway, we'll take it on the chin and hopefully come back with a performance next week at Huddersfield. We've got the quality, just need to get back on the horse and implement it like we have done in the last month prior to today.
 
EdWeatherall said:
BBC Sport - Rugby League - Wigan Warriors part with troubled Martin Gleeson
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Wonder what all that "in which he was the victim" stuff was about? Probably the victim of alcohol abuse judging by his almost permanent residence at the Rodney during his Wire days, and the rumour that the catalyst to all this was him turning up to training drunk as a skunk.

Wigan are well rid, was a rotten apple in the Wire dressing room and appears to have been there aswell. Great talent but seems to be a tormented individual.
 
Yeh. Great talent, and did well for them

I'm guessing he doesn't really free up much salary cap room either. Probably taken up by Hock's return unless they managed to get him on a lower deal
 
Wow, WTF is happening to Wire and Wigan? Both playing piss poor at the moment and both just got slapped by the awful Catalans at home in the space of 5 days? We were in abysmal form again tonight and got punished by a very methodical Giants side.

We missed Briers bigtime tonight, but he played in the tragedy of a performance against the Dragons last week so it can't just boil down to that completely. I'm beginning to wonder of the big Wigan-Wire game of a few weeks ago has completely buggered up both teams physically and mentally for the foreseable...
 
londonredmaniac said:
Missed Briers and made some very basic errors.

Simples.

Giants looked good.
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Not convinced about them, at least as far as going all the way is concerned. Like I said, they are very methodical and play the percentages well but they lack genuine cutting edge and a player or two who strike fear into the opposition. They'll finish top 4 but will fall short of OT I reckon, a more clinical side would have stuck 40 on us playing like we did on Friday.
 
WireRed said:
Not convinced about them, at least as far as going all the way is concerned. Like I said, they are very methodical and play the percentages well but they lack genuine cutting edge and a player or two who strike fear into the opposition. They'll finish top 4 but will fall short of OT I reckon, a more clinical side would have stuck 40 on us playing like we did on Friday.
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OT is anyones at the moment, the Catalan score at Wigan was nothing short of barmy! Two aways they'd be expected to get little from...and maximum. Mental.

I fancy Wire as long as the key lads stay fit and Evans and Blythe continue their early season stuff.
 
Well, well, well, the Giants have followed up their beating of us last week by well and truly spanking Leeds at Headingley. 6-32 at the time of writing :eek:

I think it says a lot for their improvement but also tells a sorry story about the state of the Rhinos this year. Leeds under Smith or McClennan would never in a million years have chucked a 22-6 lead down the swanee as they did against Wigan, nor would they have shipped 40 plus at home to Quins, and they certainly would not have got a 20 odd point spanking at home to anybody no matter how good they were.

Big win for us tonight, crucial that we responded to the two poor performances produced over the last 2 weeks. A 4 point haul over Easter from Salford away and Hull at home would set up the platform nicely to challenge for 1st over the remainder of the season.
 
No surprise that Maguire was going to leave really, clear that he was only ever using Wigan as a good opportunity to get a good coaching job in NRL
 
EdWeatherall said:
Graham signs for Bulldogs in NRL
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Unlike Eastmond, though, Graham won't be letting the impending move effect his commitment to Saints, judging by the rollocking he gave his team-mates at the end of the Wigan game the other day.
 
Yeh. He won't be letting up at all. Very good player, will do well over there in NRL

We just need some of our backs to start taking the plunge now, it's clear we can match them up front with the forwards, it's the skills on display in the backs that let us down
 
I see the benefits of going to the NRL for Graham personally, I just fail to see how it helps England like a lot of people claim. He's already world-class, the NRL have cherry-picked another top talent from SL and added it to the best comp in the world. If they took some young backs like Richard Owen, Josh Charnley, Ryan Atkins, Jamie Foster, and the likes, then yeah, I can see how they'd develop and improve their skill levels, but taking an already great forward out the SL isn't going to benefit the England team a great deal, in the same way Ellis and Burgess' great form down under hasn't made an iota of difference to the national side.
 
Brilliant game between Hull and Saints today, and some fabulous tries. Have a look out for Hull's third try in particular if you haven't seen it.

Eastmond didn't have the best of games but you couldn't fault his effort.
 
rufus diabolus said:
What's the craic with this dodgy Wire kit?
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It's a combat design and all proceeds of shirts sold will be donated to relevant army charities. Tonight and Leeds away are the only times we'll wear it this season.

Went to the game and it was a joy to watch. I don't think there is a team in SL who plays more expansive and entertaining rugby than us. The defence was just brutal at times aswell, I don't think their knock-ons were a reflection on them really, most if not all of them were forced through crunching hits.

I think on the evidence of the first half of the season, it's a close comp and we can probably touch heights that nobody else can reach in terms of performance and points scoring but we are also liable to play awful and get beat by some rank sides at times(see Catalans, Hull). Overall, we've got to be pleased where we are and I'd have to say that a failure to appear at either Wembley or Old Trafford would be a huge dissapointment for the club based on the strides we've made.
 
Salford are gonna make playoffs :D


Just kidding, they're fecking shite.
 
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