Quote ="Magic Superbeetle"I think we (Saints) have looked “vulnerable” in the two games because we have come up against teams who have for one reason or another played us in a gear higher than they have all year. Saints only really found that gear in the semi last year vs Cas, but teams weren’t really gunning for us in the same way.
Leeds (and Hull) played with a clear backs to the wall game plan with extra nothing to lose mentality (or everything to lose in Hulls case) and looked good for the freedom it brought. Throw in a lot more of the injured players and you start to lose some of that. Not saying more players back wouldn’t be better but I don’t think it’s as cut and dry (see Cas vs Warrington).
One thing we are missing is Walmsley as we just couldn’t match Leeds’ size last night.'"
I agree there is an element of 'well we've nowt to lose' when the team is as depleted as it was last night - BUT - as others have said, it depends on who's missing. Think you'd struggle to argue that Myler &/or Watkins would have added to the stucture & style we adopted and would've, in my opinion, got us over the line at the end.
It was a good, and brave, performance by Leeds - & prettt satisfying to watch, especially with my 6yr old who was already worrying pre-match we'd lose AGAIN!
As mentioned by the poster, & others, it seems that every year a number of SL teams regular season is heavily impacted by the injuries they've had to carry. It makes it all the more impressive & notable how we (& hate to admit it - Wigan) have turned seasons around after a glut of bad results on the back of lads missing.
On the team and shape last night; I'm another that reckons Sooty wud be better used in 2nd row - he's never really seemed to regain that dictating confidence of play he displayed a few yrs ago v Sts away - and doesn't offer enough management & influence in the halves... BUT I guess there was an element of needs must as Lilley, who I've had high hopes for on the back of looking like he can read & control a game like a great hb should, just doesn't seem to be developing as i hoped he would & isn't fast enough for SL.
Cuthbo, Parcell & Garbutt were immense. Walker showed he's class, Hally had a great defensive display (especially under the high ball), Briscoe showed up well... and Ferres, who I wouldn't normally pay in washers & who I didn't like GH signing, had one of his best displays in blue&amber!
On to Catalan & who knows... We've pulled it out of the bag before?!?
A CC final win & I'll be happy this year
