Which is the better side between us ? : Mon Apr 06, 2009 10:34 am  

Now chaps this isn't a troll or wind up for starters

I got hammered on here last year after the GF because I posted that Leeds didn't deserve to be on the same field as Saints. I felt that Saints were the better side then as I felt Leeds were the better side this year.

Having seen a bit of the season now and watched us beat you twice, relatively comfortably on both occasions as well, I have to say I feel the same as last year again. I genuinely do not think Leeds can beat Saints if we show up or unless the conditions nullify us. That isn't to say we lost either GF due to the weather, I felt on both occasions after watching them again that Leeds showed up bigtime and Saints for whatever reason didn't, not really the weather. Leeds adjusted their tactics whilst Saints did not. It is hard to believe that Leeds didn't want to win yesterday, it was a knock out game and would have made you favourites to win the double yet you were comprehensively outplayed in your own backyard.

This season, Saints look stronger in the pack with Puletua there and Gilmour makes us quicker in the centres. Defensively we look better as well. I have felt now having seen you twice that the only way you can score against us is when weve either lost the plot for a moment, made a silly mistake or have already won the game. Not good signs for a Leeds fan IMO. They look like they have gone backwards to me do Leeds. Sides such as us would be going out to put markers down this early in the season and Leeds have failed miserably twice.

Still, I am not confident of beating you at OT as the past 2 years have shown that we are more than capable of losing there. However yet again, I see Saints as the superior side in the league (and I suspect most neutrals will also now) and realistically the trophies are Saints' to lose again.

Thoughts ? As I said, a serious post with no mickey take intentions so lets not go mental.

Re: Which is the better side between us ? : Mon Apr 06, 2009 10:36 am  

Stirlingshire Saint wrote:

Now chaps this isn't a troll or wind up for starters

I got hammered on here last year after the GF because I posted that Leeds didn't deserve to be on the same field as Saints. I felt that Saints were the better side then as I felt Leeds were the better side this year.

Having seen a bit of the season now and watched us beat you twice, relatively comfortably on both occasions as well, I have to say I feel the same as last year again. I genuinely do not think Leeds can beat Saints if we show up or unless the conditions nullify us. That isn't to say we lost either GF due to the weather, I felt on both occasions after watching them again that Leeds showed up bigtime and Saints for whatever reason didn't, not really the weather. Leeds adjusted their tactics whilst Saints did not. It is hard to believe that Leeds didn't want to win yesterday, it was a knock out game and would have made you favourites to win the double yet you were comprehensively outplayed in your own backyard.

This season, Saints look stronger in the pack with Puletua there and Gilmour makes us quicker in the centres. Defensively we look better as well. I have felt now having seen you twice that the only way you can score against us is when weve either lost the plot for a moment, made a silly mistake or have already won the game. Not good signs for a Leeds fan IMO. They look like they have gone backwards to me do Leeds. Sides such as us would be going out to put markers down this early in the season and Leeds have failed miserably twice.

Still, I am not confident of beating you at OT as the past 2 years have shown that we are more than capable of losing there. However yet again, I see Saints as the superior side in the league (and I suspect most neutrals will also now) and realistically the trophies are Saints' to lose again.

Thoughts ? As I said, a serious post with no mickey take intentions so lets not go mental.

You were talking poop last season, as you usually do.

This season, unfortunately I think you are correct. Yesterday showed a huge gap in class between us.

: Mon Apr 06, 2009 10:38 am  

At the moment, you are by some distance.

Putting aside my massive disappointment at being out of the cup it remains that one night in October that counts. I wanted to win the cup. I value the cup. But being Champions is the pinnacle in all team sports.

I therefore remain optimistic that we will meet again in October and hope that we get a result then. If we do, we will be worthy champions and superior to you again.

How a team performs in a one of game ONLY matters if that one off game is the Grand Final.

Re: Which is the better side between us ? : Mon Apr 06, 2009 10:45 am  

DISA wrote:

This season, unfortunately I think you are correct. Yesterday showed a huge gap in class between us.

But didn't he just say that Leeds were better this season in his third comment?

St Helens are better than Leeds at the moment and if Leeds don't find credible replacements for Toopi (Smith?), Ellis and Scruton, St Helens' 1st choice 17 have the advantage.

: Mon Apr 06, 2009 10:45 am  

We'll have to wait and see what happens at the business end of the year. Its too early to say. I'd still like to see what happens if both teams bring their 'A' games when we play each other.

: Mon Apr 06, 2009 10:48 am  

G1 wrote:

At the moment, you are by some distance.

Putting aside my massive disappointment at being out of the cup it remains that one night in October that counts. I wanted to win the cup. I value the cup. But being Champions is the pinnacle in all team sports.

I therefore remain optimistic that we will meet again in October and hope that we get a result then. If we do, we will be worthy champions and superior to you again.

How a team performs in a one of game ONLY matters if that one off game is the Grand Final.

Surely a knock out contest provides a similar scenario to the GF ? No comebacks and all.

I honestly feel that both sides would have gone all out to win yesterday, Leeds haven't won the Cup in years and could have realistically been winning the double this season. Just outplayed for me, Saints could and perhaps should have won by 18/20 points yesterday without our key scrum half and on Leeds' ground.

: Mon Apr 06, 2009 10:52 am  

On yesterdays showing you are the better "team" at the moment.

I stress the team because individually I dont see a massive gap.

Your defence yesterday was top draw and earnt you the win.

Your attack at times was sharper and more direct and despite all that we had the individual efforts to snatch a win had the Burrow break been supported or even the subsequent play been more decisive and moved shaper to the wing I think the game would have turned in our favour.

We started with poor discipline and the 4 early penalties for offside allowed you a massive advantage and to settle on the ball.

I forget the amount of times you had consecutive 12 or 18 tackles early doors.

and yet after all that in the final 10 minutes we were one tackle from snatching a draw.


Good luck in the cup but maybe it will bite you back in the long run.

: Mon Apr 06, 2009 10:53 am  

It's called form. Saints have it at the moment. Leeds are slightly off the pace but I'm sure they will be there or thereabouts at the end when it matters.

Two very good, evenly matched sides for me.

: Mon Apr 06, 2009 10:55 am  

Saints are more consistent during the season but somehow Leeds have won the last 2 grand finals.

It is a tough one to call.

: Mon Apr 06, 2009 11:00 am  

DoubleAone wrote:

We started with poor discipline and the 4 early penalties for offside allowed you a massive advantage and to settle on the ball.

I forget the amount of times you had consecutive 12 or 18 tackles early doors.

We must have been watching two different games.