I have exactly the same feelings. I don't know what it is, maybe something to do with where they're played or when (cold evening) or that it feels like there's more to lose if we've done well in the league. It might be that my memories of the occasion are clouded because I've always come away so disappointed.

On the other hand ,"matches like that" could give the impression ,real or imagined, that the salary cap is working.

I agree with most of this, and am never 'happy' to lose. However, I don't remember a team ever playing through a season undefeated, it's really not something any side can expect, even when they go into every match believing they will win. Facing that reality, it's actually less damaging to lose to an 'outsider' than to a rival for the top four.

Shirley, it depends what you mean by "damaging"? Getting a beating from an outsider could be construed as a 'bad day at the Office', or the underdog raising their game in a one off, 'playing in their cup final'. On the other hand, losing by the odd point to one of your rivals, perhaps last minute away, might just give a team the belief that they are themselves worthy of being a contender. It's about how you react, hopefully we will bounce back.

IMO it's never clear cut especially it seems this season.

You know Rico, you could be right that Saints victory over us earlier in the season could have been their cup final.

I thought, with the way their fans go wild after each victory, that every game against us is their cup final.