FanZone May 1: Too early for Saints to brag
Here are the latest comments about Northampton Saints from fans.
May 1, 2008
Robson says: "We're sorry that we could only bring you the two cups, but it's all we had to play for this season." "We know that we have put the relatively small town of Northampton on the map."
So this arrogant club has learned nothing from last season's humiliation. The reason they got relegated was entirely their own fault. They never thought they would, made a whole host of mistakes on and off the pitch and blew it.
Now they beat a load of part-timers with TOTAL wage bills less than Carlos Spencer's salary and they're bragging about minor trophies and 'putting Northampton on the map'.
At least leave it until 2 months into next season before shouting your mouth off Robson. Although by then it will probably be that you'll have nothing to shout your mouth off about. Pride before a fall and all that...
SharkyBites, Northampton
April 19
Jim Mallinder for England? do me a favour, he's taken a team of internationals and premiership stars with a budget probably equal to the rest of the teams put together, into a mickey mouse league and won every game. Let him be judged when he comes up against real quality competition in the premiership next season. I hope he does well but he's proved nothing yet in this league which is light years below the level of the prem.
talkinsense, Northampton
Obviously it would be a golden opportunity for Jim to take up an England role if offered, but I think that he is totally commited to the task at Northampton and will set his short term ambitions on the Premiership season first, If the England set up really want him they will come back again and again, Jim Mallinder is a top flight coach who will always be in demand, But for now lets hope he stays at Saints.
Jamie Miller,Germany
April 15
Shame to see Johnny Howard leave the Saints, but art least he leaves a winner! Good luck Johnny in France, say hi to Wally & Ben!
JF, Northampton
April 5
Superior fitness told, but that wont be case in prem nxt season. Still struggle against rush defences, forwards not mobile enough. Well done on winning but plenty of wortk will be needed over summer.
JT
April 4
if we need luck then the guy from nottingham needs glasses!
bmj,grange park
"another frustrating game against Nottingham where Saints' dominance in the scrum went unrewarded" (West looking forward to Premiership refereeing). Saints's dominance in the scrum!!!! who is he kidding? The Nottingham pack played them off the field. If there's any moaning to be done about the standard of refereeing then it should be coming from the Nottingham camp. Re: Red carded hooker who didn't make contact with the Saints player, continual offside infringements by Saints. Nottingham should have been awarded a penalty try in the last five minutes of the game but the ref bottled it.
Good luck in the Premier Saints - you'll need it.
NottmArcher, Nottingham
April 1
I think this signing will benefit the Saints next season, however based on his age it can only be viewed as a short term signing. At the age of 33 and after a dozen years playing for Argentina, his best years are well behind him, otherwise Sale would not be letting him go. I guess his salary should be quite low though, so hopefully there will be room in the Wage Cap to bring in a younger but experienced world class player (Bakkes Botha, Pierre Spies or Derrick Hougaard perhaps), either in the close season or after we have established ourselves back in the top-half of the Premiership next season.
KingsleyParkSaintsman, Northampton
March 31
I don't think we need to worry too much about saturday. It wasn't the greatest game to watch and although Saints want to win every game this season with twickenham in 2 weeks it was sensible to rest some key players as they need to be at their best against Exeter. The fact is Nottingham have been in peak form lately yet still couldnt beat a Saints side with some key players missing and the team as a whole are no doubt trying to conserve themselves as much as possible for the EDF final.
BMJ, Grange Park
March 20
Jim Mallinder…….Give Sharky a contract, the difference he makes when he comes on the pitch is awesome there is nobody in the team i.e. Howard or Vass (sorry boys) that come anywhere close to him. Also please let the supporters know what is happening and stop all the rumours.
Ann, Daventry
March 18
Top four might be an unrealistic target for next season. The Premiership will be stronger than the one we left, and we should aim for a season of consolidation - not setting sights too high and then being disappointed if they don't go to plan. We have made plenty of signings with more to come but we need to see how they all gel. And of course we need to avoid injuries. So let's be cautiously optimistic and just accept being back in Premiership and staying there for a year!
Jane F
March 17
Once the team are back were they belong I firmly beleive that they will not only hold their own but will step it up a gear, There are some talented new signings and the whole team will have a new found hunger, I predict that next season saints will finish within the top four teams. With use of the youngsters that are coming through the academy it is clear to see that Northampton is the club to play for. Leeds did not step up to the mark this season and it shows that there is a massive divide between the standard of play at NL1 and Premiership level.
Jamie Miller
March 16
Saints off to Twickers again - now make it a celebraqtion double next weekend vs Exeter. Done what you needed to do this seasen, let's start building to make sure Saints establish themselves back in the prem next year!
Rud Saint
Will Saints get enough tickets if Tigers get to HQ too in AW Cup? Exeter will want a fair few as well. Get your tickets earlu cos it's going to be a be a fun day! Saints for the double - well done Jim!
JF
March 11
yes, sharky is a good player but you have to trust the coaching staff on getting the squad right for next season. so wait and see whether he is in it and wether he wants to be in it. foden is a quality signing and howard and vass are both adequate cover. if sharky does go i suspect the coaches will have someone else in mind anyway.
Harry F,Northampton
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March 10
Couldn't agree more with PS, March 8th. We need Sharky next season. His pace around the fringes, finding gaps in defences and his physicality when he needs to defend are all missing when he's not playing. In defence it's like having another back row forward in the team. OK, we have Ben Foden coming but by all accounts he may be in line for England call up so we will only have him for half the games at most. Keep Sharky, ditch Vass or Howard.
PK
March 9
It wasn't complacency, but 3 games in 8 days that was the problem. Teams that give Saints a good battle in the forwards do cause the team problems, and that is a concern for next season - hence the signings made. My concern is there is obviously an issue with Mark "Sharky" Robinson that needs to be resolved because he is a prem quality scrum-half. When he plays, the ball moves quicker across the backs and his physicality is outstanding for some-one in his position. I hope he stays.
Jim-Jo,Wellingborough
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I firmly beleive that the biggest problem on saturday was complacency, Top against bottom it should have been a walkover and I dont think the guys were expecting Bees to come out swinging so to speak.
Digger may not have had the best game overall but he was instrumental in some good passage of play and redeemed himself with the bonus point winning try.
With him and Ash on the wings I have no doubt that the boys will come through the league unbeaten.
Jamie Miller,Germany
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March 8
Missed Sharky 2day, the other scrum-halves not up to his standard. Got out of jail with 2 late tries. Sharky needs to start & sign him up 4 nxt season!
PS
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March 6
Jim Mallinder right, Bruce is absolute legend and top guy. To think if rumours were correct Cohen walked out because Reihana got captaincy over him. Bruce is fantastic player, captain and ambassador for Saints and we are very lucky to have seen him play at Franklin's Gardens.
JF
March 5
It would be a massive dissapointment to lose sharky as he is integral to the team.He's the ultimate saintsman,he never gives less than 100% (mosely lock can vouch for this!),the passion and pride he displays on the pitch is something ive never witnessed before,if we had 10 sharky's in the team we certainly wouldnt be in div 1,please stay you legend!
Sheila
Northampton Saints boss Jim Mallinder says he is happy to see Mark Robinson playing hard for a new contract". Let him play then!!!!! sharky must stay
st krige
March 4
I would like to see Mark (Sharky) Robinson stay with the "Saints" as he is a first class scrum-half and when he comes on he generates pace into the game. Jim Mallinder is a good coach and I am sure that Sharky is not in his plans for next season and will have to respect his decisions.
Trev
March 3
I think the coaches have done a great job, they know we need to improve to do better next season. It is the coaches who pick the team not the fans.
Robert Baker, London
March 2
If sharky leaves it will be a massive mistake,he is the saints and it wont seem right without him in green black and gold! jim get over any personal problems and give him the longest contract in rugby union ever!
Saint Krige
It's simple – Sharky is prem class, Howard & Vass aren't. Foden is a good signing but last time in prem showed you need at least 2 top quality players in each position. Robinson would push Foden for his place in a way that Howard & Vass won't, no disrepsect to 2 good clubmen. If Robinson is going to be let go for whatever reasons it would be nice for the club to come out and say so. An honest appraisal would be much appreciated.
JF, Northampton
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March 1
Saints fans must make it known; should Sharky stay or go?
It's about time that Jim and co sorted out Mark Robinsons contract before another team snaps him up.
He is a top class scrum half and it is players like Sharky that has kept and will keep the clubs head above the water when the International players are away. This is becoming even more evident with Jim buying in players to top up Englands future prospects.
Saints fans have been very loyal over the years, do we not deserve a bit of respect? Sign him now to ensure he can continue to play at the Gardens and help the Saints secure and maintain thier return to the premiership!
Jo Green in Duston
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