It's ridiculous because Ratchford brings so much to the team and the whole structure would have to change to replace him, unlike changing a winger (or a prop or a second rower). Ratchford is one of those players that a fair few fans like to bag whenever he makes a mistake. Probably because he's in a very visible position and others can "hide" from the fans in the middle of the pitch. And, Ratchford's performance last night was nowhere near as dire as Lineham's in France.

Understand your structure argument disagree with the Lineham comparison - Lineham didn't cost us three tries that night in France. Ratchford has been at FB long enough to know the defensive basics of the role and he continues to do that aspect of the job poorly. Yes he is in a position where his mistakes are highlighted so he needs to work at them and then he'd have less of these 'bad days'.

Why blame Ratch or any other player individually? The plain fact is that Saints dominated our forwards in defence and attack. We were standing still giving them Room to run at pace. It was a poor team effort simples. Let's not lay all the blame on certain individuals.

This isn’t to do with a single player, it’s a collective failing and in that I include the coach. Price has come out and said about learning some lessons from last night, but what lessons?! Everyone knows what Saints do, everyone. If we need to learn a lesson about how Saints play we’ve got it wrong in the build up to last night.

The Cooper binning certainly played a major pert in the outcome, but Saints took proper advantage of it.
I’m left wondering about our use of substitutes. Firstly it always feels like BMM is on run off an injury. I watch Fifita and think “ that is what BMM should be producing”. Next, what does Tasi bring to the team (and how low must SP value Sita).
I don’t think this match means our season is over by any means. Onwards and upwards!

BMM was awful and clearly injured. Tasi was average, but that's what he is. Why dont we focus on the 'big names' who actually didn't perform. Ratchford(abysmal, and that's being kind!) And Currie. It took me 65 minutes to realise he was actually playing. You cant keep your place because of what your name is, Davis deserves to play next week over Currie.

2 games in 4 days I’m sure there will be a few getting a rest at some stage. I actually made the same point about Currie on Friday night, glad as I am to see him back I haven’t y3t seen any attacking threat from him. It may be unrealistic to expect too much at this stage I suppose.

We've lost a league game we are 2nd in the league we have a bloody good squad losing happens..and now some want ratchford dropping Patton booting out Currie dropping..a while ago it was hill copping a load of flack...crap happens...all that matters is top 5

Yet everyone was happy that lineham was dropped after a bad game because we have a 'bloody good squad'. The reason we have a good squad is that everyone should be scared of losing their place. And that includes EVERY player.

Our starting front must be 8 9 10
Joe needs to be coming off the bench again which is the way he's been most improved and effective.

I think the truth is, Saints are a bit ahead of us. They were last year too, but when we play them the odds will be about 60-40 in their favour rather than overwhelming disparity. We will turn them over sometimes like we did in the semi last year.

At this stage it looks likely that the Grand Final will contain at least one of Saints or Wire, probably both, with a chance that Cas could edge one of us out in the playoffs. I can't see anyone else being there.

If it is a Saints v Wire final, I would say again it will be 60-40 in their favour.

Completely agree. We have narrowed the odds when playing Saints, but they are still in their favour as, on balance, they have the better side.

I think next year when can have 2 halfbacks that create a threat, and we have a kicking game and effective captaincy, and a few replacements in the pack, we will become the force we want to be.

Sants can have all the league points they want. Despite this so called dominance they have had over us in the super league era, we have only ever met in 3 games that really mattered, 3 semi finals. How many of those did saints win?

Gotcha, so Warrington "turn it on" when it matters when we play Saints. I guess in the same way Wigan do to us in Finals.

It's going to be intriguing if it is a Saints vs Wire Grand Final as something would have to give. On the one hand always turning it on vs Saints on the other we have an unbroken 6 straight final losses in a row.

The grand final rule is thus
Leeds beat saints
Saints beat Bradford
Wigan beat warrington.
Hopefully we can add wire beat saints to it over the next few years!