Why couldn't you play that inept last week?

I can't help but think people are going overboard about last night.

We were missing a lot of pivots (and lost another to a broken jaw early on) and played like strangers, with a bit of a roasting from the ref thrown in.

Yes it was hugely disappointing, yes it wasn't an acceptable performance level. But there's a game next week which, if we win, we're lifting silverware.

I think I'll see how they react next week and in the play-offs before crucifying the team and club - in my opinion we have performed admirably for most of the recent past given the circumstances.

Because you only had 12 players for most of the game? (and still nearly beat us!)

I think making excuses is what's led us to where we are now.

Yes, we've a good chance of finishing top. But does anyone really think we've a chance of lifting the trophy that matters at Old Trafford?

Top of the league with a game to play?



Well, no because we're missing our star signing at 7 for the season, who was replaced by Wilkin who is out for the season, we could play Lomax there but he's out for the season, but thankfully we brought in a reserve fullback to cover for him who is out for the season.

Here's a thought - would Leeds win it without Sinfield and Hardaker, plus reserves like say Burrow and McGuire out? I think I know the answer.

Let's retain perspective - there is absolutely no question whatsoever that the squad improved on last year through the addition of Walsh, Amor and Masoe (when fit), this is fairly evident from our league position despite the season long injury issues.

People make it sound like we are on an irreversible slide - we have an improved squad compared to last year which has been decimated. Chances are the squad will improve again next year with some signings.

Those who make out that there is some head in the clouds mentality at Saints that ignores the shortcomings of the squad at the moment are not being fair (or honest) about the sterps being taken to rectify matters; steps that so far have us sat top of the league.

I was more thinking trophyless for 6 years...

Yes, we've been unlucky with injuries - but we've left ourselves horribly exposed by only having one out and out halfback in the entire squad.

As I've said before, the strategy should have been to have a back-up half playing in the Academy. He'd obviously be a step down from Walsh, but would have experience of leading a team round the park. The ridiculous scrapping of the u-21's really blocks development of young players (and we - as in British RL - will reap the seeds of that in years to come), but other teams seem to manage to have reserve halfbacks who can do a job.

We had Walsh, Lance, Wheeler and Lomax goinmg into the year to cover the halves.

Walsh and Lomax are out for the season, the club's faith in Wheeler has proven misplaced and Lance is rubbish.

Without a trophy for 6 years perhaps, we may be a week away from one which is closer than we were last year. A few sensible signings and we'll be stronger again.

There's no point extrapolating the last six years and saying last night was the culmination - this season has been a step forward in repairing the squad, next year should be a further step.

Whilst these are all valid points, the lack of half backs wasn't really the reason for our defeat last night.

We completely got owned up the middle, the lack of commitment was alamring as was our attitude, and this has happened this season when Jonny Lomax, Jon Wilkin & Luke Walsh have been in the team.

That is the more worrying aspect than simply lacking in creativity.

I can't recall a collective unit of Saints players making so many basic errors with ball in hand, poor defensive reads and generally playing so dumb. It was horrendous to watch from start to finish.

I think if you take the key pivots out of any top team they are going to struggle, especially against wire last night ,who for me, played the best they have all year. Take Sinfield/Maguire out of Leeds and O'Loughlin/Smith out Wigan and they would struggle to. Im very confident you wont play anywhere near as badly as last night in the play off games and still have a decent shot at getting to OT, depending on your run in. Leeds and Wigan look the two favourites for me though. Warrington are still missing Briers, our attacking structure and ball control at times is worse than amateur.

Based on some recent top class loses?

Leeds were without mcguire and burrow (and a man down) last week and still did OK. Wigan had numerous key players out at various point this season and have done OK. Generally that's because theres depth to those teams. You take sinfield and mcguire out and leeds would still have dangerous playmakers and leaders, ditto for wigan's equivalents. Saints have gone into this season with only one out and out halfback, it was an accident waiting to happen.