The game changed when the ref stopped applying the laws of the game and allowed Saints to slow down the play the ball , now don't get me wrong Saints do not mind giving penalties and an odd six again away as they trust their defence , very much the same as Wigan . We are not at that level to be able to do that . We are as everyone knew short of a couple of big forwards and some pace in the backline . Can we beat Saints next week ? The answer to that is a big NO , are we better than last year ?, then yes probably . Are we going to get a top four spot ? Probably not .

Of course we can beat saints next week, typing no in caps doesn’t make it true

Im not sure where this lacking pace in the backline is coming from, miller , mom, Newman and of course Handley are all quick.

Don’t think any of us expected us to be in the top two this year, and we won’t.

We have far more pace in the backline than Saints for example.

It seems like you're hankering for a Ian Watson coached team. Think you'll continue to remain dissapointed in that regard. This talk about not competing for 80mins is way off. We've competed hard throughout every minute of every game this season. What I think you mean is we haven’t been on top for 80 mins yet. Well, we all want that, but that's not how sport should be, is it? I think we'll be better next week with 4 proper props for the first time this season. A lot of simple things should fall into place off the back of that. Whether we get the win or not is a matter of conjecture. I actually think the two games (Cas & Wire) that follow will tell us a bit more about how we'll do this season. Win both of those and we'll definitely be making progress. Lose and the doubts will creep in.

Agree about the competing for 80minutes. I suspect what they mean is haven’t put a perfect 80 minutes in, well that doesn’t happen very often for any team, unless it’s a mismatch.

The Cas and Wire games are important, we have got to go and give it to Cas and Wire drift in and out of games and we need to take advantage of that. Win those two and were 5 from 7, i think wed all take that wouldn’t we?

I’d much prefer 5/7 than losing them both and 3/7. The latter would really set the alarm bells ringing.

5 from 7 would be very good. 5 from 7 and still in the cup would be excellent. Fingers crossed.

Croft and French would not work.

Croft is no slouch, he is the running halfback, you need an organising one alongside either Croft or French.

You ditched radio this year for Sky?

Really enjoyed the first half but credit to Saints who kept to us 2 points up when against a lesser team we would have been at least 2 scores up.
Bell made the difference and was my MoM.
We didn`t have the powerful runs in the second half and had a very lightweight bench that was never really going to get on top of Saints.
Like what`s been said with Fusi and Lisone in the team we make more yards.
Ball steal by Saints led to their try at a crucial time and a poor read by Handley led to another try.
Small margins but those small margins are the difference that win you games and trophies.
Mik and Miller our best 2 and I`m still waiting for Newman to show he is International class.
Frawley steady away and that`s about it.
Now if we had my favourite Mikey Lewis in our team then who knows!

Can’t believe they gave Dodd mom, it was Bell all day long

Dodd trysaver on Newman though at a crucial time…

Miller would have been close to MoM without that awful kick off out on the full, he busts so many tackles he’s great.

Fusi and lisone will help but I still think we won't be beating saints /wigan in the big games until we can add some more power / strike in the pack and be able to keep up pressure ahd intensity for most of the game rather than 40 mins or so

Not sure why you draw that conclusion Arthur.
I don't rate Watson at all.
But I want to see progress.
And a team with an identity that is organised and structured.
Still some way to go on that front.
And by competing for 80 mins, I want us to be competitivie in both halves. Too many games where we are decent in one half and poor in the other.
But I do think we are better than last year - but it's a very low bar.

How about both having a bit of both, like McGuire Burrow…! …lol…
Frawley is way too slow, poor kicker, and not really that good at organising. Feels harsh to say as I wanted it to work, but that’s how I saw it.
On holiday in Loch Lomond, hotel has sky so getting a fix…
Also mate and I will watch sky and attend few games this year.
Will still be bit of radio thrown into mix too though…

Still happy for Frawley to shut me up though, and appreciate others see the subtleties in his game. Played NRL last year, so clearly has quality. I’ve decided it is harsh, and wrong for me to write him off this this early……