Re: SL RD 3 | St Helens (A) : Wed Feb 20, 2019 4:01 pm  

KaeruJim wrote:

It's certainly possible we COULD beat Saints, this is sport after all, but the odds would be against it. If we are going to get close we're going to have to play better than in the previous 3 games so far, especially re. ball control, penalties, execution of skill.

I'm going to be very interested to see how our pack shapes up against probably the best in the league, and especially what happens in the front rows.

Very much looking forward to the first game at home after this one, which isn't too far away now - would be nice to go into that one at least off the back of a credible performance.

I see in the YEP that the club are definitely still on the hunt for another forward, you would imagine at prop, for this season IF the right man becomes available. We get that prop and there is just an outside chance we might do something this year. Otherwise, you'd like to think worst-case scenario we get them in for 2020, with all our younger players another year more developed, and we're just about there with the rebuild.

I don't expect a win on Friday, saying that I didn't expect a win last Sunday especially in the manner we did. I'll settle for us to be competitive and looking organised in both attack and defence.

I think the Wakefield game will be a belter

Re: SL RD 3 | St Helens (A) : Wed Feb 20, 2019 4:24 pm  

Marty Grrrrrrrrrr! wrote:

We won't win Friday. We're nowhere near level of the top 3 or 4 teams at this stage.

Rebuild mode continues.

Sunday's performance was a major step in right direction but Saints aren't Salford.

Saints needed a last gasp try to squeeze past Wakefield last time out. It's not as if we're playing NSW. You'd be mad not to make them favourites, but on the night it's 17 vs 17 and we certainly can win.

Re: SL RD 3 | St Helens (A) : Thu Feb 21, 2019 11:59 am  

Sutcliffe returns, ward back to the middle.

Does that mean Merrin back to prop?

Re: SL RD 3 | St Helens (A) : Thu Feb 21, 2019 1:30 pm  

Joshheff90 wrote:

Sutcliffe returns, ward back to the middle.

Does that mean Merrin back to prop?

He's in the 19 doesn't mean he will play.

Re: SL RD 3 | St Helens (A) : Thu Feb 21, 2019 1:37 pm  

Hoepfully Furner sees we are a miles better side with Merrin playing loose.

I hope we go with

Walker
Briscoe
Watkins
Hurrell
Handley
Lolohea
Myler
Cuthbertson
Dwyer
Peteru
Ferres
Ward
Merrin

Subs

Parcell
Singleton
Sutcliffe
Oldezki

If Parcell or Oledzki isn't fit Smith on bench.

Re: SL RD 3 | St Helens (A) : Thu Feb 21, 2019 1:40 pm  

christopher wrote:

He's in the 19 doesn't mean he will play.

Press conference today suggested Sutty will return with Ward "back in the middle." I hope not!

Re: SL RD 3 | St Helens (A) : Thu Feb 21, 2019 2:10 pm  

Holmes wrote:

Press conference today suggested Sutty will return with Ward "back in the middle." I hope not!

Do you know what, at this stage of the rebuild and of the season, we need to have a good look at Sutcliffe at second row. He is a current England Knights player and does have some ability.
My personal view is that his defence is too poor and he has too many errors in his game, and I don't want his presence to stop other talented lads having their chance. But the club needs to be sure before making a call on his future, in what is a new position for him.

Re: SL RD 3 | St Helens (A) : Thu Feb 21, 2019 2:12 pm  

What I don't like is the balance of the pack with Merrin up front, to accommodate Sutcliffe, given that Ferres and Ward are good enough to start in the back row too.

Re: SL RD 3 | St Helens (A) : Thu Feb 21, 2019 3:11 pm  

KaeruJim wrote:

What I don't like is the balance of the pack with Merrin up front, to accommodate Sutcliffe, given that Ferres and Ward are good enough to start in the back row too.

Agreed.

Re: SL RD 3 | St Helens (A) : Thu Feb 21, 2019 3:31 pm  

KaeruJim wrote:

Do you know what, at this stage of the rebuild and of the season, we need to have a good look at Sutcliffe at second row. He is a current England Knights player and does have some ability.
My personal view is that his defence is too poor and he has too many errors in his game, and I don't want his presence to stop other talented lads having their chance. But the club needs to be sure before making a call on his future, in what is a new position for him.

But it is up to him to prove himself. Last week when he was out, the team improved and the players in earned the shirt. Tough on Sutcliffe. Now he should have to build to get back, not given the opportunity again to have a good look at him.