Re: Mike Cooper : Tue Jul 19, 2022 9:26 am  

Jason65 wrote:

The way this season is going it will be a disappointment not to win the Grand Final.
The feel good factor is so good at the min

The pressure is off us, we have one of the two major trophies on offer already in the bag. We can all agree no doubt that our expectations for the season have already been exceeded, so much so that even if we didn't make the GF or lose in the final weve had one hell of a season compared to last.

The pressure I feel is on Saints with their 4 x Champions title hopes, nothing less will do. They've already mucked up on the Challenge Cup to us and can't afford to let it happen again. Strange things can happen when under pressure, we are still 8 games away before the playoffs and poor form/player injuries/suspensions can certainly add to that pressure.

I'm happy, we're in a good place.

Re: Mike Cooper : Tue Jul 19, 2022 10:00 am  

MattyB wrote:

The pressure is off us, we have one of the two major trophies on offer already in the bag. We can all agree no doubt that our expectations for the season have already been exceeded, so much so that even if we didn't make the GF or lose in the final weve had one hell of a season compared to last.

The pressure I feel is on Saints with their 4 x Champions title hopes, nothing less will do. They've already mucked up on the Challenge Cup to us and can't afford to let it happen again. Strange things can happen when under pressure, we are still 8 games away before the playoffs and poor form/player injuries/suspensions can certainly add to that pressure.

I'm happy, we're in a good place.

Completely agree.

This season, imo, has been the most enjoyable one since the Madge days. One of the main reasons for that and it's something that I've wanted to see for years, is the consistency we show week to week. It's like the regular seasons game matter again and I'm loving it.

Fully understand this is a contradiction to the above, but over the next 8 games I'd love to see us get more out of our squad depth.

If we can find a way to rest Field, or French for one game and use Miski, or give Bibby, Smith, Havard or Byrne a week off then we'll see the benefit of it come September.

I'm not calling for wholesale changes, just one (max two) per game, spread over 8 weeks should be doable. Some of the guys mentioned above have played almost every game, or at least a good stretch of them. There's also guys like Thornley & Tommy to come back, which will give us options to rotate without dropping the quality of the side.

Re: Mike Cooper : Tue Jul 19, 2022 10:22 am  

MattyB wrote:

The pressure is off us, we have one of the two major trophies on offer already in the bag. We can all agree no doubt that our expectations for the season have already been exceeded, so much so that even if we didn't make the GF or lose in the final weve had one hell of a season compared to last.

The pressure I feel is on Saints with their 4 x Champions title hopes, nothing less will do. They've already mucked up on the Challenge Cup to us and can't afford to let it happen again. Strange things can happen when under pressure, we are still 8 games away before the playoffs and poor form/player injuries/suspensions can certainly add to that pressure.

I'm happy, we're in a good place.

100% start of the season just being competitive was my only wish. The rebuild we have going on was now coming in to its 4th year and it was clear we’d trusted the wrong man in Lam to lead us through it (just look at Leeds now). Even before the rebuild how many times under Waney did people mention the club were papering over the cracks. I don’t think the rebuild is complete however, it’s clearly noticeable steps are being made in the right direction to improve the club. This year not only is it great to see the squad developing but it’s great to see the coaches developing. Think this is more evident as the season has gone on and although French and Fields are the stars each player has massively improved. Carry on the way we are going and I think we will be dominant again, this will be helped by saints potentially having a big turn over in players due to their ages. I’ll stop now as it sounding very cringy over just a rugby club but it’s great to see after last year were I was getting to the point of boredom with the club and it was clear Covid had taken it toll financially on the club and the sport as a whole. All I hope now is we get good crowd back at games backing the boys and injecting money in to the club.

Re: Mike Cooper : Tue Jul 19, 2022 10:28 am  

sergeant pepper wrote:

This season, imo, has been the most enjoyable one since the Madge days.

This in spades! Been the best year in a long time already and, with a trophy already in the cabinet, a successful one too. The rugby on show has been pure entertainment. That said, I think we can do the Grand Final too

[JTB]

Re: Mike Cooper : Tue Jul 19, 2022 11:53 am  

Anyway, Mike Cooper. In the named squad for Thursday and looking likely for a debut.

Re: Mike Cooper : Tue Jul 19, 2022 11:57 am  

Can we not turn this into another d!ck measuring contest of us Vs Saints?

Re: Mike Cooper : Tue Jul 19, 2022 12:15 pm  

Not sure how another thread has turned into a Wigan v Saints debate but FWIW I don't see us beating Saints in the Grand Final (if we both get there of course). They're an outstanding side with a lot of experience in playing well and winning in big games. They make far more metres post contact and will inevitably win the territory battle. We have a small chance but we'd have to defend brilliantly for long periods in our own 30 metre zone, hope their attack breaks down a bit like it did in the semi and be ruthless with the limited chances we would get.

[JTB]

Re: Mike Cooper : Tue Jul 19, 2022 12:45 pm  

MadDogg wrote: Not sure how another thread has turned into a Wigan v Saints debate but FWIW I don't see us beating Saints in the Grand Final (if we both get there of course). They're an outstanding side with a lot of experience in playing well and winning in big games. They make far more metres post contact and will inevitably win the territory battle. We have a small chance but we'd have to defend brilliantly for long periods in our own 30 metre zone, hope their attack breaks down a bit like it did in the semi and be ruthless with the limited chances we would get. Spot on - all Wigan v Sts thread derailing here please: viewtopic.php?f=28&t=639913

MadDogg wrote: Not sure how another thread has turned into a Wigan v Saints debate but FWIW I don't see us beating Saints in the Grand Final (if we both get there of course). They're an outstanding side with a lot of experience in playing well and winning in big games. They make far more metres post contact and will inevitably win the territory battle. We have a small chance but we'd have to defend brilliantly for long periods in our own 30 metre zone, hope their attack breaks down a bit like it did in the semi and be ruthless with the limited chances we would get. Spot on - all Wigan v Sts thread derailing here please: viewtopic.php?f=28&t=639913

Re: Mike Cooper : Tue Jul 19, 2022 3:35 pm  

Last season with Lam and the inability to score at all, has made this season the more enjoyable....

Re: Mike Cooper : Tue Jul 19, 2022 3:54 pm  

Jason65 wrote:

The way this season is going it will be a disappointment not to win the Grand Final.
The feel good factor is so good at the min

That’s a bit OTT. The season has far exceeded expectations so far & it’s been a delight to watch us at times. St Helens are still the team to beat and have a pack which can dominate anyone in the league.

Yes, we can compete but it wouldn’t be a disappointment not to win the GF, St Helens are still strong favourites and rightly so.