How Hock didn't end up in the bin for punching sinfield in a tackle??
How all the wigan fans saw hock have the ball stripped at least twice but missed it when it happened to peacock??
How smith missed all the facials and markers not square??
How when the rules are clear you still can't accept that hocks try was rightly disallowed??

Compared to our pre-Grand Final performance - absolutely. We're like a team that doesn't know what to do next. However, I could be made to look like a total hysteric on Friday night if they all suddenly gel and discover what to do now the PTB has slowed down! But if they play on Friday like they have been playing so far, you will tear us to shreds (assuming you can get past our defence which, on the whole, is still standing from last season).

I have really no idea whether we will be 'up there' come October. This time last year when we were also somewhat dodgy because I knew the coach and knew the players I was confident, even when we lost to you at about the same time last year, that we would get our act together as the season passed. But things have changed now and so I just don't know.

I've got my ticket though and I will sneak some hard stuff into my flask of warming coffee (it's due to be chilly apparently but dry). That way, I might make it through the trauma of being tonked at home by Leeds!

Give over.

Saints should be 5 from 5 and only are not due to a shocking refereeing performance from Smith in the second half, despite not playing particularly coherently this season. This doesn't smack of a side who 'don't know what to do next and cant gel due to a slow PTB'.

Saints defence is still strong and if we sort out our ball retention, Friday will be a ding dong. FWIW I favour Leeds due to them looking better right now but Saints aren't that bad.

Meli has gained his Visa and could be in the squad for Saints against Leeds.

We're doomed, doomed I tell you.

Phil Bentham has never controlled a St Helens V Leeds SL Regular Rd fixture so has no form for this fixture.

Bentham with St Helens : SL Reg Rd only

Pl 17, Won 13, Drawn 0, Lost 4

Bentham with Leeds : SL Reg Rd only

Pl 14, Won 9, Drawn 1, Lost 4

1 Brent Webb
2 Scott Donald
3 Lee Smith
4 Keith Senior
5 Ryan Hall
6 Danny McGuire
7 Rob Burrow
8 Kylie Leuluai
10 Jamie Peacock
11 Jamie Jones-Buchanan
13 Kevin Sinfield (C)
14 Matt Diskin
16 Ryan Bailey
17 Ian Kirke
18 Carl Ablett
19 Luke Burgess
20 Ashley Gibson
22 Danny Allan
23 Kallum Watkins

Four defeats from 14 - higher than the club's win/loss ratio over the time he's been in SL?

I use % of points available to compare.

Phil Bentham's first SL game in charge was 11th September 2005 RD 27 fixture between Wakefield and Hull.

Therefore taking RD 27 2005 as the baseline:

Leeds (SL Regular Rds only) Pl 89, Won 64, Drawn 1, Lost 24..... 72.47%

With Bentham in charge (SL Regular Rds only) Pl 14, Won 9, Drawn 1, Lost 4..... 67.86%

Statistically he despises Leeds.



In fact removing Bentham and leaving the rest, Leeds' % would rise to 73.33%

Boo Hiss.

No big Ali for friday, shame because he always plays well against Saints.

That he does. Saints will be pleased.

Almost everyday I think about that huge hand-off he gave Gidley in the '07 Grand Final, which lead to him scoring. Raw power. You don't do that to Gidley by chance.

I think I'll have a moment.

Make sure you clean up after.