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The Chair Maker
5th October 2007, 23:07
It has to be said.

Leeds have looked far stronger than Saints when each side has met the other.
Their performance today against Wigan was also ultra professional, and i dont believe will have used up much juice in the tank.

Houghwood Saint
5th October 2007, 23:17
It has to be said.

Leeds have looked far stronger than Saints when each side has met the other.
Their performance today against Wigan was also ultra professional, and i dont believe will have used up much juice in the tank.


i too think we will be underdogs next week.I think Peacock is the difference between the two teams.

Blobbynator
5th October 2007, 23:19
I think it'll be fairly even to be honest. It's the closest Grand Final match up we've seen for a few years now IMO.

Scouse Don
5th October 2007, 23:25
With a fit Long Saints to win comfortably........without ..too close to call.IMO will be down to defence again and who makes the least mistakes.Can't see it being a points fest.

OoOGazOoO
5th October 2007, 23:26
Does anyone get the feeling it may be like the Grand Final vs Bradford in 1999.

Really low scoreline and such a close game? ? ? I do.

Saint Jasper
6th October 2007, 00:26
Does anyone get the feeling it may be like the Grand Final vs Bradford in 1999.

Really low scoreline and such a close game? ? ? I do.

Torture you mean............but after last week, you could be right. Longy's kicking was a significant factor in that match - if he plays we'll need him to kick as well again. Leeds kicking game tonight was excellent on the whole without even thinking about Sinfield's accuracy at goal.

Billy Bunter
6th October 2007, 00:29
Right now I couldn't give a prediction. I really don't know which way its going to go. A fit Long and Fa'asavalu will make me sleep easier though.

Yes Leeds were dominant tonight, but Wigan's pack was absolute dross. Feka wasn't fit and his laziness was shown up by Peacock in setting up Webb's first. Fielden is finished. Fletcher is just Mr Average, never does anything of note. Prescott is not a SL prop. Hock more intent on causing injury. Millard slower than Stuart Evans. O'Loughlin does nothing but tackle.
The only one that impresses me is Harrison Hansen.

So while Leeds showed why they deserve to be in the GF, don't go overboard. They were playing a side who were never going to peak another week.

One thing that we do need to pressurise big style is their kicking game. Can't allow Sinfield too much time. Great long range kicking game. So even when we've restricted them, the job isn't done and we must pressure the kick.

Is it just me or does Brent Webb genuinely look far from 100% (I know he's booked for an operation, but there's a lot of scepticism around it)?

Sausalito
6th October 2007, 00:38
Bookies won't make us underdogs, we'll be giving a start on the coupon, at least six.:eek:

DD
6th October 2007, 03:00
It has to be said.

Leeds have looked far stronger than Saints when each side has met the other.
Their performance today against Wigan was also ultra professional, and i dont believe will have used up much juice in the tank.

To be fair, didn't your irrational phobia of the pies have us down as underdogs anyway? lol

Exeter Saint
6th October 2007, 09:20
Coral have Saints to win outright at 8/15 favs while Leeds are 6/4, no handicap betting seems to be about at the moment but I would imagine at those reflected odds Saints will be -6 at 10/11.

are you blind ref
6th October 2007, 09:32
It's going to be a battle royal and we're going to have to be at our best but recent history says we rise to the challenge in finals. It should certainly be a nail biter :eek:

southportsaint
6th October 2007, 10:26
on the current form leeds will beat us theu look stronger and faster than we have recently.

Gerry Mander
6th October 2007, 10:36
It has to be said.

Leeds have looked far stronger than Saints when each side has met the other.
Their performance today against Wigan was also ultra professional, and i dont believe will have used up much juice in the tank.

Leeds have real pace in several positions , a more consistent kicking game
and offload like Saints previous did.

It will be a real challenge but not impossible.

Should make for a really exciting game.

Blobbynator
6th October 2007, 10:42
To say Leeds have looked far stronger than Saints when we won our last encounter is disrespectful to efforts of the Saints lads last week. There's plenty of reasons for the Saints to be confident. We have so much talent in this side and full strength, there's plenty of match winners. We're defending incredibly well and hopefully we've got one last push in us to win a historic double treble.

Reacher
6th October 2007, 11:37
Have to admit that Leeds did not look like a side that had played those brutal 80 minutes the week before. What was more impressive to me was their 100% completion rate in the first half. That takes some doing, particularly in a pressure game. However, in a major final, we have been pretty much the experts over the years. So many big game players with experience, they never let us down on the big occasion. Also Wigan looked shot at last night, they were not the team that defended so well against Hull the week before.

Back the boys in the red vee to do us proud on the big day. The last 15 mins of the final will confirm how important our week of has been when fatigue kicks in. Its a worthy final anyway, first plays second, how it should be. Leeds are a great side but so are we. Thought Peacock got it spot on last night when he said "Sts have not won all those trophies for nothing, it will be 2 good teams going at each other" Bring it on

Blobbynator
6th October 2007, 11:43
Saints just need to worry about themselves, we haven't won 6 trophies on the bounce for nothing. We've earned the right to call ourselves the best. Let Leeds worry about us. I'm just hoping Long is declared fit early on. It's a distraction that we don't need as preparation has to be spot on for these ocassions.

Div
6th October 2007, 11:44
I find this all very odd. We beat Leeds last week with two key players absent and all of a sudden we are frightened of them ?

Leeds made Wigan look exactly what they are last night- average. Bradford did exactly the same then for some reason chose to think the game was won

Wigan have been believing their own hype. They are not a good team.

Next weeks game is a close call but I dont buy this ' we are underdogs' malarkey.

Shakespeare
6th October 2007, 11:59
I think youre wrong again there Chair.

In the past two weeks, Leeds have been defeated by Saints and took two tough beatings. The game will have Leeds the underdogs if anyone is. The game is too close to call.

flickmills
6th October 2007, 12:00
i aint frightend off leeds! to be honest i wanted wigoon win last night as i know when it counts we can beat them! Wheras you look at leeds and think........ hmmmmm will i have any nails left after the game! I clearly see us being favourates for the game, we have to be! We finished 1st, we beat them last week without 2 keys members! So what you all scared about!!! come on the S!!!

bazdev
6th October 2007, 13:40
How on earth would Saints be underdogs????

finished 1st in the league
Won The challenge cup
Beat Leeds last week
Hold every trophy on offer.

I can't believe the fear on here. If both sides play to their best Saints win. I just wish Wigan could say that

OoOGazOoO
6th October 2007, 13:42
[QUOTE=Div]



Wigan have been believing their own hype. They are not a good team.

[QUOTE]

I think this is right too.

Yes they beat Hull too, but Hull were very average against Hudds the week before and they just havent been a good team all season i dont think.

knowsleyroader
6th October 2007, 17:57
If I had to put my life on one of the teams then I would have to jump into the Saints camp.

However I think Leeds will win. :???:

;)

The Chair Maker
6th October 2007, 18:54
To be fair, didn't your irrational phobia of the pies have us down as underdogs anyway? lol

nah,

I reckoned the pies would go all the way and then get put to the sword by Saints in the final. However Leeds did what i thought Saints would do.

One things for sure this will be the most nervous week leading upto a final in a number of years.

Gray77
6th October 2007, 19:20
Saints cant be underdogs, we havent been underdogs in a game for about two years (bar maybe Brisbane) and we are the big occasion team. This team gets the job done when the big prizes are on the line and I'm confident we'll do it again. But of course we're all nervous and apprehensive, 1st vs 2nd in the Grand Final should be close and nail-biting, anything else and our league would be a joke. Too many people on here write our team off given half the chance, have a bit more faith!

Sausalito
6th October 2007, 20:20
on the current form leeds will beat us theu look stronger and faster than we have recently.
RECENTLY WE BEAT LEEDS, who would never have scored all night but for the interception.:???: :???:

roby lights up my senses
6th October 2007, 20:31
i reckon we stand a chance to be honist. fairly confident were going to get somewere

DD
7th October 2007, 02:28
It's a 50-50 job.

They have had the better of us over three games but they know, and we know, that we have the big game mentality.

Psychologically, we are the big game maestros. The psychological game has a massive bearing on the outcome.

Mentally this should be in our favour. If our players just believe in ourselves then I see no reason why the championship should not be coming back home.

almagr
7th October 2007, 03:44
Leeds looked good against a tired Wigan, but they are still the underdogs. They threw everything they had at us last week, and still lost. Peacock and Ellis are the key threats, outstanding in the last two games

bazzo
7th October 2007, 09:41
a very close call imho. but we do shine in finals so lets not get to worried.
the team with the most hunger and determination will take the spoils i just hope its Saints again.

Kev
7th October 2007, 10:49
Leeds made Wigan look exactly what they are last night- average. Bradford did exactly the same then for some reason chose to think the game was won

Wigan have been believing their own hype. They are not a good team.



Wigan finshed 3rd after the playoffs ,not bad for "not a good team"

mister chuffy
7th October 2007, 11:33
I suspect the game against the vermin was their Grand Final. Indeed Saints hopefilly will have a fit squad to choose from (less Scully) that will be the difference. In previous league games against Leeds, we have fielded a 'weakened' side.
They will be made to pay on Saturday.

Wigan ARE an average team.

Saint Ana
7th October 2007, 11:59
It's a 50-50 job.

They have had the better of us over three games but they know, and we know, that we have the big game mentality.

Psychologically, we are the big game maestros. The psychological game has a massive bearing on the outcome.

Mentally this should be in our favour. If our players just believe in ourselves then I see no reason why the championship should not be coming back home.
We will know in the first 20 minutes if we are with a better than 50% chance of winning with the view of how we go about this task. If there is a great game plan with many ideas of how to shut them down with our excellent defence and to exploit their weaknesses, then we will win. Peacock is great but his head-highs give away possible points. Burrows is the one needing special attention, but Sinfield has upset us before! Yes they are a good team - should be a good game - but with the right attitude from the start we can take this one too! AND feel good about not underestimating them as occurred with the dulls 3 years ago

McClennan
7th October 2007, 12:24
It's a 50/50 game and if we lose Leeds will have deserved the title but I'll be more than disappointed if we lose because we're still a better side on our day.

Barbarian
8th October 2007, 15:36
It will be close but Saints will win. FACT

Sadfish
8th October 2007, 15:54
It will be close but Saints will win. FACT

and the winning lottery numbers this weekend?

Barbarian
8th October 2007, 16:04
and the winning lottery numbers this weekend?


Dont know, but as I just said in a previous post, it will make me sleep better tonight. Think I might put £20 on Leeds to win. Either way I would win and no worrying all week. Not stopped worrying since last week.

gazwxm
8th October 2007, 17:36
There was 1 point between the sides in the league table and there won't be many more come the end of the Grand Final 80 minutes.
Whoever wins will deserve to, both sides have been terrific in the Super League competition all year and I think both Anderson & Smith will play huge roles in whoever wins on Saturday - as both Us and Leeds are very closely matched in terms of Rugby League ability.

Scouse Don
8th October 2007, 23:36
Does anyone think like me that to bet against us is against your religion-can't believe barbarian would even think about it.just ask Longy !

Scouse Don
8th October 2007, 23:39
I have watched a cople of this seasons games again on DVD this weekend.Leeds just don't have the pack to to trouble us on paper.........We have to give it to them from the first minute.I'd like to see thefirst 10 sets all up the middle and kick on the 4th to turn them round.just see if the pies took anything out of them.Maybe start with three props on the field.what do you think about tactics?

bocaboca
9th October 2007, 16:35
on the current form leeds will beat us theu look stronger and faster than we have recently.

I can understand everyone's worry. It is a big game and a 50/50 one imo. They looked good against W*gan but they were out on their feet. Danny Lockwood of League Weekly came up with an interesting stat & Leeds' sometimes inconsistancy. They have lost three of their last four & five of their last nine.

Samba
9th October 2007, 18:31
If I had to put my life on one of the teams then I would have to jump into the Saints camp.

However I think Leeds will win. :???:

;)


So, how long have you been clinically suicidal then??:eek: