I thought we were a bit poor to be honest. The effort was well below par and not up to the standard we come to expect. We seemed a bit lethargic, as if the weather had got to us and we couldn't be bothered. We need to up our game next week and totally change it around, the effort needs to be lifted 100 percent.

That's my thoughts on the fans out of the way. As for the players, it was a cracking effort. Just a few too many dropped balls in the slippery conditions cost us in the end. Saints defence on the line proved just enough to hold us out. I think pretty much every player for Cas had a good game. Personally though again I think big Johnny Walker was my MOM. The lad has potential to become a cracking SL forward.

You had me going there I read the first part of your post and was incensed and confused .................However you were absolutely right the singing did seem down on the 3 previous games. I really did like the chant though we're Castleford Tigers and we always believe - it gave me goose bumps!

I thought John Davies played really well. He was always looking for the ball and he put in a lot of tackles. I think he has the potential to be a decent forward for us, along with Walker. I would like to see him get more game time to develop.

In total he did get through a lot of work in the same way that a cart horse would. However, I'm talking about him slow on his feet and blowing heavily within a few minutes of him being on.

I do like some of the aggression that he shows in the tackle, however for a guy who is relatively small for a prop, I'd like to see him make up for his size with mobility and speed.

Coming out of the ground on monday I felt as proud of the side as I have done since the performance with the youngsters over at Wigan last season.

Goes to show 2 things:

1. Millward being in charge makes one hell of a difference - the performances have improved game on game since he's come back.

2. We have the most strength in depth we've had at Cas in many a year. With 9 1st teamers missing including all our most creative players (Orr, Chase & Clark) we looked very solid defensively and with a bit more nouse could have sneaked the win against a side that has traditionally put the cleaners through us and is still a very good side despite what some people might say.

The thing I am happiest about and I hope it is true is that the players were dissapointed after the game, not pleased they kept it close or competitive.....

If that is the case then that mentality is one we need to harness and take forward to the rest of the season. We had enough ball to win and came up short, but the key element is we put ourselves in with a shot of winning the game, so that is something to be pleased about.

I like Basil's style in pressers and interviews - here is hoping this is the start of something, not just an Hurculean effort that we can't sustain. The Cup comes at a good time for us, 2 tough games close together thin squad..... It will not be easy at Fev, but if we play controlled and do our thing, in the end the result should come.