I know its a long season but as we saw last year confidence can quickly drain from the team. We'll be 0-3 after next weekend and then under huge pressure to win the week after.

This tactic of zero line speed and zero kick pressure makes for a very frustrating watch.

A lot of unhappy punters around me in the south stand tonight.

Some of the fans were pathetic- some leaving at half time chuntering.

I would start O'Connor and use Leeming from the bench.
Regarding the line breaks, when Handley broke down the left side I think he had Austin inside him and between them they couldn't execute a basic 2 on 1. That was poor whoever is fullback. Myler has scored plenty of tries in the past with his support play, we just aren't playing with any fluency at the moment.

Spot on

Yep. I watched it back tonight and Danny McGuire said in studio you cant afford a bad start as you become too desperate for that first win and confidence can drain quickly. Our first win will be wakey followed by a 50/50 against Cas. Could be 1-4 after that quite easily

We don’t know how much the WCC has taken out of Saints yet, I wouldn’t automatically write that game off we will break our losing streak against them at some point

Forgot to say that Martins defence was a real weak link. Looks unfit to me too. Seems to escape criticism, but really needs to improve imho….

I noticed that he was flagging at around the 60 minute mark. Walking back into position, avoiding play, that kind of thing. He wasn't the only one either.

I thought MacDonald looked unfit during the same period. He looked like he was struggling at times, and sadly those that suggested he may have being passed fit too early might be right.

Over all, the teams performance looked a bit more positive. Some good passages of play, some good breaks, a hint of skillful ball handling, and some good defence in parts. But something still seems to be lacking. Consistency isn't there, nor leadership. We could have walked away with a win tonight, but we don't look like we could beat anyone and everyone.

Rohan needs to seriously question the current style of play, and reassess. The passive defence is losing too much yardage. We had three break away runs that could have been converted into points if there was actually some support. We had wingers with space not receiving the ball. We handed over the ball on soft sixth tackle plays instead of taking the 50/50 chance of gathering a high kick. The list goes on.

Mostly we just do not look like a fit team who actually want to fight for every inch of the pitch for 80 minutes.

I was impressed with Sangare & Holroyd, can’t wait til Oledzki & Bentley are back though plus I’d give Sam Walters a go before Donaldson who adds absolutely nothing.

Having rewatched it were very, very ordinary around that spine again. Austin probably the pick but I'm not sure he has the talent to make that off the cuff stuff really effective. And for all the clever sounding stuff preseason, we look a side woefully short on ideas, other than the odd attempt to catch defenders napping.

Effort was there. That’s the main thing. We have good players and a big, strong back line. We’ll come good, players were communicating well and clearly frustrated at end. That’s a good sign….

Smith was a lot happier after the game. As well as the passive defence, I hope he rethinks some selections.

Handley is not a centre. Supposedly Olpherts can play there, but of those three only Roberts actually looks like a centre. MacDonald on the right was OK, but I'm pretty sure he's played most of his career on the left?

With Gannon out maybe McDonnell comes straight in. Agree Donaldson is a bit of a waste of a spot. Walters would add more size to the bench, and Lisone needs to be kept out of the team until he gets fit. He should be at the Bulls, not getting out of puff with Leeds.

From being one of our best last year, Martin has started really poor. Offering nothing with the ball and making some poor efforts in defence. Hope he regains his form.

Gannon. While I wouldn't question his bravery, that's more games missed. Someone needs to sort that technique. In its own way it's as daft as players repeatedly picking up bans for the same offences. In fact more so, considering the potential consequences.