Re: Saints game : Thu May 01, 2014 9:39 pm  

I won on the +42 handicap at evens too.

As for the game we battled well but are just too small. We need at least one LMS/Walmsley type props

Re: Saints game : Thu May 01, 2014 10:23 pm  

Loved the London players clapping the Saints West Terrace and getting a round of applause. Nice to see that both players and audience have some appreciation for each other.

Re: Saints game : Thu May 01, 2014 10:41 pm  

Just arrived back at my temporary Shropshire base after the match. I spent most of the first fifteen or so minutes dreading the final score. To be fair after that the players largely deserve credit. Some good defence on the line and outbreaks of decent attacking play. Unlike last years shower they kept going.

Quite simply we were up against a bigger, faster, more skilful and better drilled team. They largely did their best and I came away not too unhappy. Sadly the fact I felt like that says a lot about where we are.

I won't name him as it really wouldn't help but I thought there were worrying signs the constant physical and mental batterings this season be taking their toll on the confidence of one of the better youngsters. I hope the club remember what happened when Olu and Josef were asked to do too much too young and keep a careful eye out for the youngsters. There may or may not be a London next year and we owe it to them to do our best to ensure they are in a good place to pick up a contract elsewhere worst case scenario.

Re: Saints game : Fri May 02, 2014 12:16 am  

Paddock Punter wrote:

Happy Days, Saints to win by 26-30 at 7-1!

Snap!!!! See the vt!

Re: Saints game : Fri May 02, 2014 8:35 am  

Halfdan of t'wide embrace wrote:

Just arrived back at my temporary Shropshire base after the match. I spent most of the first fifteen or so minutes dreading the final score. To be fair after that the players largely deserve credit. Some good defence on the line and outbreaks of decent attacking play. Unlike last years shower they kept going.

Quite simply we were up against a bigger, faster, more skilful and better drilled team. They largely did their best and I came away not too unhappy. Sadly the fact I felt like that says a lot about where we are.

I won't name him as it really wouldn't help but I thought there were worrying signs the constant physical and mental batterings this season be taking their toll on the confidence of one of the better youngsters. I hope the club remember what happened when Olu and Josef were asked to do too much too young and keep a careful eye out for the youngsters. There may or may not be a London next year and we owe it to them to do our best to ensure they are in a good place to pick up a contract elsewhere worst case scenario.

I agree with all of this. I thought we played close to our limit, with only a few lapses of concentration letting us down. Our attacking structure was much better with Bishay in the halves and Farrar at FB.

But we continue to stand little chance whilst we persist with just 2 props who, after 12 games, are coming to resemble Frazier and Ali after 15 rounds. Greenwood just walked through the whole of the second half and Krasniqi is producing fewer minutes with each passing week. We badly need Dollapi back and a loan signing. Our props aren't big men and so we need 4 of them in the 17. This is a real shame as our back row is talented (see Vea) when they are not forced to cover down the middle.

Re: Saints game : Fri May 02, 2014 9:19 am  

Colly2 wrote:

I agree with all of this. I thought we played close to our limit, with only a few lapses of concentration letting us down. Our attacking structure was much better with Bishay in the halves and Farrar at FB.

But we continue to stand little chance whilst we persist with just 2 props who, after 12 games, are coming to resemble Frazier and Ali after 15 rounds. Greenwood just walked through the whole of the second half and Krasniqi is producing fewer minutes with each passing week. We badly need Dollapi back and a loan signing. Our props aren't big men and so we need 4 of them in the 17. This is a real shame as our back row is talented (see Vea) when they are not forced to cover down the middle.

You're spot on, many of us have said one of our biggest needs this season was for a couple of big ugly props. Our lack of them is clearly showing.

Re: Saints game : Fri May 02, 2014 9:38 am  

Agree with what so many say! I do feel for some of our younger players what is being asked of them, it's okay when you have a lot of experience around you. It't going to be a long sad season.

Re: Saints game : Fri May 02, 2014 9:39 am  

I'd have taken a 5 try margin before kick-off to be honest, good crowd though, especially for a Thurday.

Re: Saints game : Fri May 02, 2014 12:19 pm  

Rob from Erith wrote:

I think if you'd have been in the stand you'd have heard the clang of Solomona's head against the railing!
I remember Zeb Luisi - ouch!

So do I, as it happened in front of me on the Ealing Road terrace.

Zeb disappears from sight, there's an awful noise, followed by some very worried looks on the players faces.

Worst I ever saw was at an RU match at The Stoop, when the Stoop was little more than a waste ground.
Then there was no mega East Stand. In fact there was no stand; instead there was a low wire fence. I saw London Irish full back Jim Staples go into the wire fence, the wire stopping him around the throat!

Re: Saints game : Fri May 02, 2014 2:40 pm  

The biggest problem London have had for years is a lack of props. Constantly we persist in signing second rowers and expecting them to play front row. Its just something I've come to accept now. Senseless yes, but no point moaning.

Last time I think we had a pack that caused opposition teams problems on a regular basis was during the Solomono and Danny Williams era.

I appreciate this season we had slim pickings due to the mess off field... but surely (if and that is a massive IF) we were to somehow avoid relegation... we need to sign a minimum of 2 huge and nasty props.

However, back to the main point... team did the best they could yesterday. Fair play to them. St Helens are a top team and we could have picked up a squeaky win if we had played a lesser team. Still think our pack is the issue and we certainly are now praying Bradford and Wakefield continue to struggle through the rest of the season.