Joined: May 09 2009 Posts: 1113 Location: East Hull
red al wrote:as i posted before on another topic, went to headingly on wednesday night, it looked like the best game plan agar had come up with all season, played some good stuff, craig hall played well!
Shame it wasnt Agars game plan, it was plonky Harrys
Mrs Barista wrote:TBF to him, he does sort of have a point, even if it's somewhat exaggerated. When we got to the GF, Saints were at the height of their powers in a double year when they won the BBC Sports Team of the Year.
"St Helens 26 Hull 4: Anderson raises a toast to team of all the talents
St Helens confirmed their dominance of the domestic season by showing that they are the closest thing the Super League era has produced to a side without weak links. Severely tested by Hull throughout the first half, Daniel Anderson's side eventually ran out convincing winners of their fourth Grand Final at a packed Old Trafford on Saturday.
The winning margin might have been wider than in 1999, 2000 and 2002, but this was far from easy for Saints. Just as when they met Huddersfield in the Cup final, they were challenged sufficiently to show all aspects of their excellence.
"We made some massive defensive plays out there," said Anderson. "Hull could have scored three or four tries. I can't speak highly enough of this group of players. They've only lost four games all season and that was by one, two, three and four points."
In addition, Leeds were excellent in parts for that season with Bradford starting to decline but still a force.
This year's Saints are nowhere near their 2006 standard, and although Leeds are probably slightly better than they were in 2006 they're not in Saints' class at that time. This in no way discredits what Rovers have achieved though, you can only play what's in front of you. The competition overall is closer this year and the standard right at the top is lower. What this does serve to illustrate though is the massive decline in FC's playing performances. From top 2 in a better standard comp, now bottom of the pile in a weaker overall standard.
Absolute trype.
The quality of imports has improved significantly since then and there are far better younger players coming through.
Joined: Jul 15 2005 Posts: 29811 Location: West Yorkshire
General Zod. wrote:Absolute trype.
The quality of imports has improved significantly since then and there are far better younger players coming through.
Not at all. Saints in that year were a country mile better than anything on show this year, arguably the best team in the SL era, doing the double and losing only 4 games by margins of 4 points or less. Leeds pushed them close for 2/3 of the season though and we managed to get 2nd off the back of a 13 match winning run. Bradford, the defending champions were no slouches and had Hape, Vainikolo, Vagana, Fielden (when he was still good, touted as the best prop in the world). You may say that the current Saints team, Leeds, Rovers and Huddersfield are better than the top 4 that year, that's your opinion, but I strongly disagree.
The fact that FC have been so utterly terrible all year and were still within a couple of wins of making the play-offs speaks for itself IMO.
Mrs Barista wrote:Not at all. Saints in that year were a country mile better than anything on show this year, arguably the best team in the SL era, doing the double and losing only 4 games by margins of 4 points or less. Leeds pushed them close for 2/3 of the season though and we managed to get 2nd off the back of a 13 match winning run. Bradford, the defending champions were no slouches and had Hape, Vainikolo, Vagana, Fielden (when he was still good, touted as the best prop in the world). You may say that the current Saints team, Leeds, Rovers and Huddersfield are better than the top 4 that year, that's your opinion, but I strongly disagree.
The fact that FC have been so utterly terrible all year and were still within a couple of wins of making the play-offs speaks for itself IMO.
Joined: May 09 2009 Posts: 1113 Location: East Hull
Mrs Barista wrote:TBF to him, he does sort of have a point, even if it's somewhat exaggerated. When we got to the GF, Saints were at the height of their powers in a double year when they won the BBC Sports Team of the Year.
"St Helens 26 Hull 4: Anderson raises a toast to team of all the talents
St Helens confirmed their dominance of the domestic season by showing that they are the closest thing the Super League era has produced to a side without weak links. Severely tested by Hull throughout the first half, Daniel Anderson's side eventually ran out convincing winners of their fourth Grand Final at a packed Old Trafford on Saturday.
The winning margin might have been wider than in 1999, 2000 and 2002, but this was far from easy for Saints. Just as when they met Huddersfield in the Cup final, they were challenged sufficiently to show all aspects of their excellence.
"We made some massive defensive plays out there," said Anderson. "Hull could have scored three or four tries. I can't speak highly enough of this group of players. They've only lost four games all season and that was by one, two, three and four points."
In addition, Leeds were excellent in parts for that season with Bradford starting to decline but still a force.
This year's Saints are nowhere near their 2006 standard, and although Leeds are probably slightly better than they were in 2006 they're not in Saints' class at that time. This in no way discredits what Rovers have achieved though, you can only play what's in front of you. The competition overall is closer this year and the standard right at the top is lower. What this does serve to illustrate though is the massive decline in FC's playing performances. From top 2 in a better standard comp, now bottom of the pile in a weaker overall standard.
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