Thoughts from the Chron w/e 5th September

 
And so it begins. It may have been a longer than usual break this year but the players have spent the summer with their noses to Nick Johnston’s grindstone in preparation for hitting the ground running against Worcester this Sunday. Meanwhile we supporters have been wondering what ever happened to that summer while we've been chomping at the bit to get back to the Gardens after what seems like an age.
 
 A year ago when writing this column I wrote the following "in all truth we should have the firepower at our disposal to win this division and come close to not losing a game all season."
 
How I wish I could write the same again with some conviction but the truth this time round is that on our return to the Guinness Premiership we will probably lose more than a few but in all honesty would we really have it any other way? Whilst some supporters might be quite happy with last seasons win after win after win I know a lot of people were hankering for games against stronger opposition, the do or die battles of attrition, the cut and thrust of games that were not decided to the dying seconds even though we might be on the wrong end of those type of games every now and then.
 
Last season as the Division One campaign progressed it became more and more of a cakewalk. We even played badly on a couple of occasions and still won.
 
Yes of course it was nice to pick up the silverware but thankfully that ‘luxury' of almost certain victory will be a thing of the past this term, quite simply if you are nowhere near the top of your game you will get punished for it in what looks like the most open and competitive GP season yet. On the day any side will be well capable of beating any other and there are sure to be a few shock results along the way, let's hope that it's us handing them out rather than being on the receiving end.
 
The pundits have had their say and most place us around 9th in the table but given how all unpredictable it looks this season who knows? A solid start with us holding our own and by Christmas an assault on a Heineken Cup place might be a possibility but the first priority is of course stability and survival. One thing is for sure this season, it's a massive step up in class and its going to be tough and after the high flying of last season it looks like for the first time in over a year it is time to pull the dust covers off the Saints emotional roller coaster. I'm looking forward to the ride.
 
NEW FACES
 
For that assault on the Guinness Premiership we see a whole raft of new faces at the club as coach Jim Mallinder starts to mould a squad of his own choice. Last season, given that relegation, Saints were probably not an attractive prospect for players looking to further their careers. The squad that Jim inherited by and large did more than was asked but with the bigger task ahead the club has been out in the market with around a dozen players coming to the Gardens. This time round we see a mixture of experience and some notable prospects joining the club.
 
Players like ‘Nacho' Lobbe, and Neil Best bring an edge to the pack that perhaps, Paul Tupai aside, we have not seen in recent years. As a unit the forwards look like more than holding their own.  In the front row Soane Tonga'uiha looks like he is trying to live up to his nickname of Tiny given his new physique though he is still a man mountain while the Scottish trio of Tom Smith, Euan Murray and Barry Stewart give us strength in depth at prop. At hooker the big question will be is this the year that Dylan Hartley realizes his potential and gets that England shirt. Paul Shields might want a say in the position at the club though while youngster Joe Gray might well in time push them both.
 
In the second row the aforementioned Nacho looks like he has formed an understanding with his ex Sale teammate Christian Day though I have a sneaking suspicion we might see Alex Rae come into his own this season.  With youngsters Courtney Lawes and Jame Cannon also in the squad the future looks bright in this area especially when Phil Hoy returns from his year at Bedford.
 
The back row looks like an all new unit with Best, who is sure to become a crowd favourite, alongside fellow Ireland international Roger Wilson at 6 & 8. There is still a question mark for me at openside, Ben Lewitt looks like the only out and out 7 at the club. Could a signing in this area be on the horizon?
 
In the backs most of the talk was of the signing of Ben Foden and his desire to play scrumhalf. Like every other position at the club though it looks like he has a battle on his hands for the No.9 shirt  with Lee Dickson looking like he will not let it go without a right royal fight. All round that kind of competition for places can only be good for the club.
 
Maybe not so much a battle at flyhalf but I'm sure Steven Myler will be pushing Carlos every inch of the way while in the centre new signings Chris Mayor and Nils Mordt will be looking to unseat the likes of John Clarke and James Downey but don't be surprised to see Joe Ansbro become the surprise package of the season.
 
On the wings a lot of eyes will be on Chris Ashton this season. I'm sure he will take it all in his stride though and who knows after a full season in the top flight he might just be an outside chance of making the international squad if he adapts and repeats his form of last year. On the other wing Sean Lamont returns from injury and will be wanting to get back to form as soon as possible after such a lengthy absence. And finally coming up the rear the skipper, Bruce Reihana looks to have the job nailed down but don't bet against Ben Foden being given a run there at some time.
 
So all in all the squad is starting to shape up, on Sunday against Worcester they have to put all that summers work into practice. It will be anything but dull.

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