For me the names on the team-sheet are academic, I agree entirely with the thread title - something has to change and that something comes down to attitude.

3 times this season - THREE TIMES IN EIGHT WEEKS - Wigan have come for a war while we've come for a stroll in the park. These pampered prima-donnas, led by Mr Hot Air Mike Rush and his ridiculous assertion after the Cup game that we're "not far off" were a disgrace to the badge last night.

Everyone knows Saints are in a hole at the moment and that we lack quality. That's unavoidable now and it's not going to be corrected until next year. So when we have a lot of ball in their half and can't break them down, I can't bring myself to get annoyed - that's just the way it is until we sort out our halves and sign some strike in the threequarters. What really boils my blood is that we're incapable - too lazy, too unfit, or too soft - of matching their ferocity. They hunt in packs with 3 or 4 ripping and tearing in the tackle totally killing any forward momentum. When they carry the ball we get 1 or 2 haphazard, lazy arms allowing their wingers and at times half backs to make yards and win the floor. You have to wonder what the hell is going on when that happens.

Wigan are a solid team who work their absolute knackers off for each other and are willing to die to achieve their collective goals. If you aren't prepared to match that intensity, you have to look in the mirror and ask whether you deserve to be living the pampered lifestyle these players have. Hundreds of amateur players in this town run their blood to water and risk life and limb playing the game and end up out of pocket every week. Then go to work on Monday and graft. Most of our first team look happy just to get off the field in one piece after 80 minutes like rabbits in the headlights. They should be embarrassed of their 'efforts' last night pretty much from 1-17.

The PR Machine will go back into overdrive this week. They will come out and talk of needing to 'aim up' (daft Aussie-ism number 351) and 'make up for it' against Hull. What most of them don't seem to understand (and Wigan's players profoundly do understand) is how important these games are to the fans. You can't just 'make up for it' by winning a few games against the likes of Leeds and Hull.

Congratulations to Wigan. The only team that will stop them winning everything this year is themselves.

Ouch........... you must be really fed up

Thing is Saints types, I don't think you are a million miles away from getting back on the horse.

Saints' primary problem is being easy to read/control in attack. Virtually all sides now play with their fullback as an additional ball handler/attacker popping up either side of the PTB making defences guess/stretch to counter this. With Saints attacking from around marker/first receiver it is easier to concentrate defences around that area to suffocate the attack. The loss of Graham and his ability to draw players in whilst tipping the ball on has also compounded this.

If Roby gets a roll on from dummy half he will still hurt the opposition, control it, and he is pretty damn nullified. Lomax too, can be got at due to him being your only playmaker and standing close to the PTB at first receiver. Hohaia at stand-off is purely wasteful, give him space/broken defences and his footwork and speed will be a far greater asset.

My two'penneth: Hohaia to fullback, where he appears to have played for NZ/Warriors for the past three years (reasons as above); Wellens to loose forward, his experience and pretty decent passing game would give Lomax some much needed support in the middle of the pitch, a variation on Sinfield, if you will. I think his defensive contribution would also lighten the load on Roby, keeping him fresher in attack. Finally; Gaskell (possibly Wilkin) in at stand-off. It would give a little more control/organisation to the side and leesen the responsibilty on Lomax, who appears to be tasked to do everything.

This is obviously a short term solution, as I I think any side would struggle bringing two young halfbacks through together. I certainly think you need to bring in an experienced halfback next season to aid the development of Lomax/Gaskell.

It's not without risk. But provided Hohaia cedes responsibility for organising the attack (and kicking) to Gaskell and concentrates on giving him the quickest and most reliable service possible we may be able to salvage something from the season.

I'm not entirely happy about putting so much responsibility on Gaskell's shoulders (although I do think he can deal with it better than Lomax) but we're kind of out of options. Besides, he is the future and the sooner we gear our game around his talent the quicker we can gain some attacking traction.

I can see your house from up here

You are now starting to achieve the same status level as robinson on these boards.

Where is that clown smilie when you need it!!!!!!!