the defeat of widnes years ago and cas in webb's time stand out for me with the absence's on those days ,

We’ve had some backs against the wall victories over the years, but I think the nature of the opposition on Saturday will make a decisive difference. Fingers crossed but more in hope than expectation.

We just need to pick the best side we can and play the best we can. We might get beaten by a cricket score but we should aim to at least compete.

We still have good players and we could pick a physically big side which will give Saints something to think about down the middle, maybe keep some possession off them.

We’re going to get embarrassed if we just try to defend out of this hole: we will lose the energy battle and then it will be hot knife through butter.

We have no halves, fist choice centres, full back and one fit decent winger.
We will get annihilated.....

Nearly every player in that Saints backline is an international!

No eastmond named and gale still in the team? Is the injury talk just a decoy? anyone got actual info because if he is injured then we just look like clowns by naming him and losing a sub bringing in eastmond (if we even do that)

so if the club are doing some slight of hand you want someone to blow the whistle on here ?

Yeah good point I shall just be patient and keep my thumbs crossed thats the case

I got a busy weekend. Don't have any desire to watch this game now.....
Diors that make me a rubbish fan?

It sure diors

You have to wonder just how far away from match ready Eastmond must be not to chance him in the squad given how many people are out. Can't imagine we'll see him on the field any time soon. Surely if he was anywhere close to being ready he'd be in the initial squad for this one with so many being out

Agree. He must be miles off if he can’t play this weekend

Saints have a monkey on their back though. If I'm correct they haven't beaten Leeds in a KNOCKOUT game for absolutely ages. That monkey can make strange things happen. Don't forget the Cup Final, Warrington with no Blake Austin were underdogs, then Price came up with a formula to nullify Saints

2009 cup 4th round is the last time I think. Since when there's been two more Grand Finals, at least one other play off game and at least one other cup game (2015 semi). Probably more that I've forgotten. tvoc would have known.

If that run somehow doesn't end tomorrow Agar deserves the freedom of the city.

If Eastmond is so rawand unfit, and King is so raw.
Should we already be questioning the signings?

I've just been a bit confused by some of the messages coming out of camp since pre-season tbh. Noises suggested that Eastmond would be in contention but would depend how he went. If he's not even being thrown into this squad even as a possible wildcard at this stage given how many injuries we have he must be absolutely miles off which suggests he's not at the level they expected. Then again, in the build up to game 1 I read someone in camp say Newman would be fit and in contention for week 1 which was clearly absolute nonsense so I don't know what to think! Who knows if this Gale thumb thing is true or not. Whatever's going on we're in pretty poor shape given we're right at the start of the season

Very odd. Eastmond has played against the All Black's!
How can he not be worth a go now? Just wonder if he's been signed injured, and announcement will come out that he needs an op or something......

Or the club are keeping their cards close to their chest and he might yet play on Saturday or even against Wigan. Could be that they are waiting for the swelling to go down on Gales poorly thumb, before making any definitive announcements. Whatever the truth is, it is going to be tough over the next few weeks, so may as well just accept it. A lot of weeks in a season.

On King yes. Eastmond makes sense but we needed King to get firing early doors, far from convinced about him tbh.

King is playing tomorrow so we’ll get a decent look at him at least

Seven years ago against All Blacks long time.I think it more that they are being over cautious or protecting him.He would be on an hiding to nothing against Saints especially if Gale is sidelined. I can only see a massive win for Saints on Saturday and Agar and coaching staff may think it will do him no good to be part of that.

Do you know if Gale and or Eastmond are playing tomorrow Christopher?

Neither

Cheers.
Could be a long afternoon!

Not got a clue but if Eastmond plays we lose an interchange I think so Id say he definitely won't be playing, I doubt Gale will either I imagine he was named to throw Saints Prep off