A lot of difference between Saints 2014 version though as that took place late in the year under a different format, we are talking about 3 rounds in here.

I don't think anyone is panicking - sometimes you have to take a step backwards to go forwards. The injuries have been particularly brutal this season and by the time some of them return it could be too late to save the season. Next four fixtures: Huddersfield, Wigan, St Helens and Castleford - if things don't improve standard wise that could realistically be seven loses on the bounce

The concern for me is the lack of quality coming through the juniors and the further ageing of some key players. In that respect I don't agree with printer that 2017 will be a great year. Add to that the emotional damage of this year and 2017 could be even worse.

However this is a very well run club and they will get it right at some point - it is just a question of how quickly. With considerable management energy required regarding the stadium transformation perhaps the playing side will have to take a back seat until its conclusion.

You seem to be in a similar position as to what we were at the start of the 2014 season. Prior to that season we lost Morley, Hodgson, Briers & Carvell and didn't replace them with anybody who could match them. Its taken us 2 poor seasons to start to look like one of the top teams again.

However in 2014 we were one play away from the Grand Final. It was the final semi and we were 12-10 up at the Piedome. We were on the Pies line with 5 tackles to go and they were rocking. Gareth O'Brien had ball in hand with options all over the place instead of using them he went behind Asotasi and the Ref gave a penalty and Wigan went to the other end and scored the wining try. Thats how small winning and losing margins can be. I include this because thats where you guys are right now. You lost to us by 2 points, Widnes the week before the WCC & not many teams will win in Perpignan. I know its all ifs and buts, but you are not a bad team and you will be in the top 4 come the end of the season.

The likes of Leeds, Wigan and Saints are coming back into the pack, for Leeds the retirement of Peacock and Sinfield with the injured McGuire is enormous, once you get some bodies back and the form teams at the moment start to experience an injury crisis of there own I,m sure it will be balanced out. I do think the dominance of Superleague by 1 or 2 clubs is now over and expect a new name on the Superleague Trophy this year.

We are going through a transition. We have a pair of new young halfbacks so cohesion going forwards will be lacking at times

I'm not sure that applies to defense which seems too soft a lot of the time

I have heard that since 2005

top 4 will still be Leeds,Saints,Wigan,Warrington as only possible winners.Huddersfield or maybe Cas or Hull as a surprise top 4 entrant but none of those can win the trophy.Forget the rest, whipping boy SL rabble as William would say .

sounds cocky, but still stands true.feel free to bring this back up if Salford or Widnes make top 4

no way will we make top 4 and you can bookmark that , yes we have injuries , but lets not mistake Catalans are bloody awful . This is now a true test of the coach and so far he is not coming up with the answers . discipline is shocking , Ferres and Moon gave away ridiculous penalties last night , the half backs regularly take wrong options and Burrow as captain is another glaring error . We are constantly just hoping that offloads or magic from our centres are going to get us out of trouble as we appear to have no structure to our attack . Greater tests than Widnes and Catalan away lay ahead and if we do not beat the Giants (which i think we will by the way i reckon that the first win would then be Wakey at home

So when I've mentioned injuries before it's "an excuse"......but I suppose when you mention them it's not?

Is anybody 'panicking'? Expressing concerns maybe.

Personally, after the heights of last season with the fitting finale to the Leeds (and game's) greats I will forgive the team for very probable lean times this season, if it puts us in a better position for 2017 and beyond. Sport is all about the ups (and it can't get any more 'up' than last season) and downs. Always has been.
How many teams can be realistically expected to perform to the same levels after losing not 1, but 2 inspirational players for the following season? This is our transitional season that, although without design, is giving our younger lads valuable experience.
Having said that, I still see nothing in the rest of SL that does not change my opinion that Leeds still have every chance of winning silverware again this season. As always it will largely come down to injuries for all in contention. Standards are pretty level across the SL, even if that level is dramatically less than the top NRL teams (plenty of given their reasons for why that is).

Nobody wants to see teams competing at widely differing levels. In the same way I would not be so happy to see amateur teams trying to compete against SL teams I must confess I would not be so keen to see any more extended WCC games, until that differing level of standards is resolved. All I want to see is competitive games....at whatever that level might be.

Panic's not the word, but the attitude is just not right IMO. We have more than enough quality players still available to at least be able to defend far better. Attack started to click a bit, which is good, but the team needs an attitude adjustment in defence.

If you actually think that then we might as well not pick any of the older players and start Lilly sutcliffe Golding Baldwinson etc. in every game...

I would agree with that, but also take into account having Lilley and Burrow on the pitch pretty much the whole game significantly weakens us. We really do need Faloon back ASAP, that will give us the opportunity to rotate the two little guys and will also give us one more solid defender in the middle.That said, pish poor one on one attempts, and especially slowing down the ruck and marker work needs looking at and improving this week against Huddersfield or we will continue to leak points whoever is on the field.

Hardaker
Briscoe
Watkins
Moon
Hall
Sutcliffe
McGuire
Galloway
Falloon
Garbutt
Ferres
Ablett
Cuthbertson

Burrow
Delaney
Ward
JJB

Singleton

At some point this season we will be fielding a team similar to this. That team will compete with anyone else in super league. Simple as that.

In the mean time, this is an opportunity for young players to gain experience, fringe players to prove themselves and senior players to show leadership. Of these three, I'd say so far it's only the first that is happening. Do we need our players to step up and show some fighting attitude-yes! Are we panicking- certainly not.

We all knew this "transition" was coming and again i find myself repeating it many under-estimated imo.
Of course the absentees don't help but things like defending and discipline/composure are more about attitude than ability which is where we are glaringly getting it wrong at the minute.
It's a tough period and i wouldn't be surprised to see another 06 type season but im hoping the Coach and the senior players address the weakness' asap and get the season going.
I think it's time for one of our infamous no holds barred team meetings where we tear ourselves a new arris and hopefully a new leadership group emerge.

Agree with all that, barring one thing; defence also demands the ability to work as a unit. I don't think there's a simple short cut in achieving that aim and while attitude's obviously crucial - and indeed may have been lacking - there have been too many defenders left one-on-one due to uncertainty in the ranks. In those circs, players will get brushed aside, regardless of commitment.