There was no need to carry on going all out in the second half. Sit back, test our defence and soak up pressure. We turned it into an arm wrestle on purpose.
That said, Philbin changed the game for them, he was incredible and miles better than the pudding Chris Hill.
Marshall was outstanding for us (bombed try apart), what a player this kid is, never gives less than 100% even with injuries.
Leuluai was also a class apart, best half on the field. I can’t believe people on here still think Matty Smith is a decent player, championship standard at best.
Since when did passing the ball away from the ruck become “going all out”? You can test out your defence in the opposition half as well.
Had to laugh at the BBC headline I just read from last night- ‘Injury hit Warrington lose at Wigan’. They were only missing Charnley, Austin and Hughes from there from there first choice side were they not? I raise that with Burgess, Manfredi, Flower, Bullock and O’Loughlin from ours. It’s always amusing how these things get reported.
Current thoughts - Mago out or get running up them plantations, get fit or get rid. Maybe a back up halfback, someone with a bit of experience on a short term deal. Big tall strong running second rower, like a McMeekin or Sironen type back rower.
Had to laugh at the BBC headline I just read from last night- ‘Injury hit Warrington lose at Wigan’. They were only missing Charnley, Austin and Hughes from there from there first choice side were they not? I raise that with Burgess, Manfredi, Flower, Bullock and O’Loughlin from ours. It’s always amusing how these things get reported.
There was no need to carry on going all out in the second half. Sit back, test our defence and soak up pressure. We turned it into an arm wrestle on purpose.
That said, Philbin changed the game for them, he was incredible and miles better than the pudding Chris Hill.
Marshall was outstanding for us (bombed try apart), what a player this kid is, never gives less than 100% even with injuries.
Leuluai was also a class apart, best half on the field. I can’t believe people on here still think Matty Smith is a decent player, championship standard at best.
But if we had carried on and won by 40/50 it would have closed our points difference right up and given us a chance of overturning their advantage.
Had to laugh at the BBC headline I just read from last night- ‘Injury hit Warrington lose at Wigan’. They were only missing Charnley, Austin and Hughes from there from there first choice side were they not? I raise that with Burgess, Manfredi, Flower, Bullock and O’Loughlin from ours. It’s always amusing how these things get reported.
Don't forget Davies and also the fact that we have never replaced T or Hamlin.
Don't forget Davies and also the fact that we have never replaced T or Hamlin.
Aye, I was leaving Davies out on the basis Manfredi and Burgess would probably be first choice and Tautai wouldn’t be in our best 17 but Hamlin probably would’ve been. I guess you could say that for Kev Brown also though, had he been fully fit.
All in all based on fully fit squads at the start of 2019, they were 4 first choice 17 lads down and we were probably 6 down. Only goes to prove the headline was bonkers.
Aye, I was leaving Davies out on the basis Manfredi and Burgess would probably be first choice and Tautai wouldn’t be in our best 17 but Hamlin probably would’ve been. I guess you could say that for Kev Brown also though, had he been fully fit.
All in all based on fully fit squads at the start of 2019, they were 4 first choice 17 lads down and we were probably 6 down. Only goes to prove the headline was bonkers.
Marshall is in front of Burgess, I’d have Hardaker Manfredi Hankinson Gildart Marshall French Hastings next season
I like Philbin, looks really difficult to put down and has loads of aggression.
I wish that more of players played with his spirit, especially in the forwards.
It's role reversal for our respective clubs in the last two months, where Wigan had problems in the camp that now appear to be clearing, whereas were in a right hole, with a serious attitude problem in our camp.
I can't remember having such a low expectation of an impending cup final.
Bottom line is, I cant see anything other than a treble for Saints.
Had to laugh at the BBC headline I just read from last night- ‘Injury hit Warrington lose at Wigan’. They were only missing Charnley, Austin and Hughes from there from there first choice side were they not? I raise that with Burgess, Manfredi, Flower, Bullock and O’Loughlin from ours. It’s always amusing how these things get reported.
I'd argue Brown too as a pre season was wasted and we'd only just signed Smith.