Do we need to replace Mark Bitcon? : Thu Aug 15, 2019 10:23 pm  

After another very impressive St Helens performance tonight, one thing that really struck me was how superior their team is athletically. Particularly in respect of their young players - they look bigger, faster, stronger and more explosive than their counterparts at other clubs.

We've signed some very good players for next year but is looking for a replacement for Mark Bitcon equally as important to make sure we're as well prepared physically as we can be?

Re: Do we need to replace Mark Bitcon? : Thu Aug 15, 2019 11:09 pm  

MadDogg wrote:

After another very impressive St Helens performance tonight, one thing that really struck me was how superior their team is athletically. Particularly in respect of their young players - they look bigger, faster, stronger and more explosive than their counterparts at other clubs.

We've signed some very good players for next year but is looking for a replacement for Mark Bitcon equally as important to make sure we're as well prepared physically as we can be?

You cant make people physically bigger apart from bulking up there frame which can lead to all sorts of issues if you put too much bulk on like your knees and hips wear out plenty of players have had problems over the years you only have to look at Sean o'loughlin

Re: Do we need to replace Mark Bitcon? : Fri Aug 16, 2019 4:52 am  

Saints doing what the do every year, go barrelling off in front then gas out at the end. Classic case of tortoise and the hare. Our young players have stocked their personal trophy cabinets with the big prize winners medals whilst the Saints lads have a couple of hub caps. Whether it is different this season is still yet to be seen but we have a winning mentallity when it comes to the crunch games. I see on their board and on the Cas board a couple of years ago about how the league leaders should be champions etc. Its like making excuses before the play offs even start. The fact is that we know what it takes to win these big prizes and going racing off early on very rarely does sides any good in the long run. If the league structure was different i would wager that Saints wouldn't be so far ahead or even top at all at this stage. Teams would approach it differently. As sad as it is, the LLS doesn't count for anything unless it is part of a double or treble winning season. Nobody remembers the league leaders, only the CC and GF winners.

Re: Do we need to replace Mark Bitcon? : Fri Aug 16, 2019 10:23 am  

MadDogg wrote:

After another very impressive St Helens performance tonight, one thing that really struck me was how superior their team is athletically. Particularly in respect of their young players - they look bigger, faster, stronger and more explosive than their counterparts at other clubs.

We've signed some very good players for next year but is looking for a replacement for Mark Bitcon equally as important to make sure we're as well prepared physically as we can be?

As much as I do not t like it i think it has been obvious that they look one step quicker than the rest of the league. No matter what your mentality is if you are slower and not as physical as your opponent then you will be beaten

Re: Do we need to replace Mark Bitcon? : Fri Aug 16, 2019 11:17 am  

Pie_Eyter wrote:

I see on their board and on the Cas board a couple of years ago about how the league leaders should be champions etc.

Something you can only suggest if we all play to that ruling. Take Huddersfield in 2013 as the prime example. They finished top but nobody actually believed they were the best side in the competition they just went flat out in every game whereas Wigan, Warrington and Leeds managed their sides accordingly.

Finishing top under this structure already comes with all of the rewards it should do in terms of money and a supposed easier route to OT but at the start of the season the goal of every club is to lift the trophy at OT and so that is the only way to measure the best side in the comp.

Re: Do we need to replace Mark Bitcon? : Fri Aug 16, 2019 1:51 pm  

Pie_Eyter wrote:

If the league structure was different i would wager that Saints wouldn't be so far ahead or even top at all at this stage. Teams would approach it differently. As sad as it is, the LLS doesn't count for anything unless it is part of a double or treble winning season. Nobody remembers the league leaders, only the CC and GF winners.

Egg Chasing wrote:

Something you can only suggest if we all play to that ruling. Take Huddersfield in 2013 as the prime example. They finished top but nobody actually believed they were the best side in the competition they just went flat out in every game whereas Wigan, Warrington and Leeds managed their sides accordingly.

Finishing top under this structure already comes with all of the rewards it should do in terms of money and a supposed easier route to OT but at the start of the season the goal of every club is to lift the trophy at OT and so that is the only way to measure the best side in the comp.

Correct. Thats why i added that bit

Re: Do we need to replace Mark Bitcon? : Fri Aug 16, 2019 2:20 pm  

MadDogg wrote:

After another very impressive St Helens performance tonight, one thing that really struck me was how superior their team is athletically. Particularly in respect of their young players - they look bigger, faster, stronger and more explosive than their counterparts at other clubs.

We've signed some very good players for next year but is looking for a replacement for Mark Bitcon equally as important to make sure we're as well prepared physically as we can be?

Did our squad look bigger,faster,stronger and more explosive when Bitcon was at the club?

Re: Do we need to replace Mark Bitcon? : Fri Aug 16, 2019 3:43 pm  

No it didn't.
We don't look any less fit this season than previous years under Bitcon.

Re: Do we need to replace Mark Bitcon? : Fri Aug 16, 2019 6:51 pm  

Father Ted wrote:

No it didn't.
We don't look any less fit this season than previous years under Bitcon.

Exactly, I will add that Saints young lads do look big heavy set aggressive lads but we our juniors have managed to dominate for the last 10+ years. It helps the Saints lads that they are being blooded in a dominant side too.