By Rob Leach
May 5 2011

Following their Heineken Cup exploits in Milton Keynes last weekend, Northampton Saints return to Aviva Premiership action on Saturday afternoon. Saints welcome Leeds Carnegie to Franklin's Gardens with issues to be sorted at both ends of the table. Rob Leach looks ahead...

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS vs LEEDS CARNEGIE

AP: Saturday, May 7th 2011 - 3pm (ESPN)

FRANKLIN'S GARDENS

MATCH PREVIEW

Cue Doris Day...

Can you imagine what it was like having to miss the European semi-final in favour of a family barbecue in South East London? No, I guess you can’t – far too difficult to even contemplate such a situation. Well, as it was ‘her ladyship’s family’, and the event had been in the diary for weeks, I really had nowhere to go. The good news is the marriage is still alive, I’m alive and just about able to scribble a few words about Saturday afternoon (ps the family do was really good as it happens and brownie point fund is now in credit).

And so this is it, the final league game of the ‘regular’ season, not that this season has been ‘regular’ with the Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday kick off’s throughout. The glorious sunshine of ‘MK Gardens’ is now  behind us and after what seems a lifetime, we return to Franklins Gardens, real home of the Saints. I’m hoping the village has been put back in its right place and everything is as we left it when we set out on the Road Trip and the voyage of discovery to Milton Keynes. With that in mind, we welcome Leeds Carnegie who are staring at the trap door to the Championship just as we were a few seasons ago. Our neighbours Bedford came so close to upsetting the apple cart by beating Worcester Warriors in the play-off semi-final and thus providing a life line – it wasn’t to be and Leeds have it all to do. Leeds can still remain at the top table if they either take two more points from the game against us than Newcastle Falcons pick up at  Bath or Cornish Pirates beat Worcester in the Championship Final. So, Saturday will be ‘interesting’ – who can remember the emotions when we learnt of Jeremy Staunton’s ‘famous’ missed penalty.

Of course, the Saints still have it all to do if we remain serious about winning the Premiership – a point is the minimum requirement with the Saints sitting 4 points above nearest rivals Bath. A point would guarantee fourth spot and a probable trip up the road to Welford Road – its hard to imagine that Gloucester will drop any points to Sale and so a trip to Vicarage Road seems out of the question.

The obvious discussion point for the Frooners and other debating societies is what team should Jim Mallinder start with on Saturday afternoon (I did enjoy typing ‘Saturday Afternoon’)? Will he rest the ‘cup final’ squad, will leading cup final squaddies find themselves on the bench only to make an appearance if we are struggling? Will Jim bow to sentiment and make Bruce captain for the afternoon? Luckily, I am not paid to make such decisions and will entrust the management to make the right decision. Personally, I would wrap Messrs Myler and Dickson up in cotton wool as we do not have a replacement for either of them.

I always make a point of viewing what the opposition are thinking ahead of a fixture as it tends to reflect the overall mood of the fans. As you would expect, it’s quite sombre with plenty of discussions of over paid individuals not playing to potential (where have I read that before).

What the Leeds Fans are Thinking

“It is with more hope than expectation that I will journey down to the Gardens on Saturday, and if we can’t get what we need, so be it, but please, please, please, Leeds, make the trip worthwhile and show you care. It’s (nearly), our last chance.”  

Haxbytyke, Leeds Carnegie’s Sportsnetwork site

“No matter the outcome of the next game or the ramifications of what happens in the Championship we are not good enough to be in the Premier division.
Players we have paid astronomic wages to have not produced.
Our team selection and method of playing early in the season has been terrible.  Our backs have been like Cadburys soft in the centre.
Lets get players who are keen and not just in it for the money. Whilst i agree Thompson has been good for us we were just a way to get back from France and he had no intention of staying.  Our team has lacked ability, guile and in some cases bottle”

Exheadingley, Leeds Carnegie’s Sportsnetwork site

“I don't dispute that we are 13th out of 12, but the fact is we haven't performed for the majority of this season.  In our first Premiership season, despite finishing bottom we made a lot of friends by our dogged and determined performances and were really only badly beaten a couple of in a couple of games. This help to soften other supporters attitudes to us when we stayed up due to Rotherham's inability to satisfy ground criteria.  This season, with a few exceptions, our performances have been miserable. How a team can play like they did against London Irish and Newcastle away, then put in performances like Wasps and Harlequins, is beyond me. There may be a lack of ability in the side, there's a lack of a lot else as well.” 

Mark_C, Leeds Carnegie’s Sportsnetwork site

Advice to Travelling Leeds Fans

Best place to park the car is behind the ground in the Saints car parks which one day might be an ASDA store. Leave M1 at J16 or J15A and follow brown “information signs” signs which lead you to the car parks. Park your car near an exit if you are making a quick getaway, mind you, if you do leave early you will miss the extremely talented band that the Saints Supporters Club have arranged in the Rodber - “Accrington Stanley”.

Plenty of watering holes can be found within the ground with Heroes allowing children and the Village Area providing beer and snacks. The Foundry and Thomas a Beckett are probably the best pubs for pre-match beers and are close to the ground. The food at the TAB is probably better than that of the Foundry but that’s just “IMHO”

Recent Meetings:

12/03/2011    Leeds 13 Saints 23

03/04/2010    Leeds 7   Saints 14

26/09/2009    Saints 30 Leeds 10

28/01/2006    Saints 21 Leeds 18

20/11/2005    Leeds 28 Saints 25

So, how do you predict such a game – such an important game. I’m not even going to offer predictions regarding the likely line ups or the result. I suppose, some might argue that the perfect result would be something like a 40 – 40 draw with both teams getting three points. Of course, If I was to say that I would expect abuse from the Falcons and so lets not go there. The discussions regarding the merits of promotion and relegation within the Premiership will continue with obvious comparisons to the easy ride that is the Magners League. Having seen the Saints compete at both ends of the table I’m all for the excitement promotion and relegation offers.

Looking back, I remember the feelings of emptiness when the Saints were relegated but I’m also mindful that had we avoided relegation and continued being the ‘middle of the road’ under achievers that we were, we would never have seen a Saints side walking out to a  Heineken Cup Final. With that sentiment, good luck to Leeds and good luck to Falcons – what will be, will be. Cue Doris Day...