I'm surprised people struggle to see the comparisons to Leeds 2016. The pattern is very similar (not identical), in terms of early season narrow defeats, the effect it has on confidence and the momentum that follows.

That word momentum: it's crucial in our game. Look at last night: close contest for 30 mins, one mistake leads to a try, they score a good second and the third looks inevitable. But that's the thing: without Russell's error, none of that happens; we don't go in 18 down; we don't necessarily lose. We don't necessarily win either, but it's a different game.

Look at us at the start of last year. Or Wakefield. Or Hull. The evidence is clear to see. Leeds is the obvious comparison for us, because it 'top side starting badly and being at the foot of the table'.

There's only one solution: win and stop the momentum. Easier said than done, and there's absolutely no guarantee it will happen, or will happen soon enough to avoid the middle 8s. There's still just enough time for us to avoid that, but I think we need to get on the board before Easter. We'll only achieve that with hard work and keeping plugging away. Unfortunately there's no quick fix and those looking for it, through sacking Smith or whatever, are going to be disappointed.

You're kind of proving my point: how often do we see that, then a team goes up the other end, scores, momentum shifts, and it's game over?

I think it's 5 Full Backs if you include Evans, how's that ever going to work ?
TS should know it has to be 6 Full backs out there at least, to have any chance. It's got to be worth a try, or maybe 7 ??

Possession wasn't against us in the first 30, territory was, so we weren't defending for half an hour. There was nothing in that first 30 that I saw that suggested winning that game was impossible. But we didn't. So we have to look towards Hull next week and try again.

Errrrr, try not getting anywhere near the opposition's try line. We don't look like scoring from inside 10M, let alone our own half. I'd say it's pretty impossible to win a game, under those circumstances. Still, if you want to convince yourself, that's your prerogative.

Ostrich alert.

There was everything in that first thirty that suggested it was impossible to win. They couldn't make any metres and the game was being played solely in our own half.

Coz he can make 5 metres from the play the ball, doesn't matter in Smith's eyes that
he's culpable on many tries that are conceded

Westwood, Hughes and Russell between them must currently account for a large proportion of our mistakes, unforced errors, indiscipline, missed tackles and penalties. As has been stated, you expect the error/penalty whenever they get involved.

None of them should be remotely near the squad next week - in the case of the back row we have options and in the case of Russell, anything is an improvement.

Indeed. Jack hughes has been utterly abysmal this season..to drop our only second row in form was just plain ludicrous when Westwood and Hughes have been woeful. Russell is just laughable.

it takes a special talent to make Jack Owens look like Rugby Player let alone a world beater.

Take a bow Matty russell.........

Matt Russell couldn't tackle a Sunday dinner.

having NO possession in the Saints 25 until the 38th minute of the 1st half is the biggest suggestion I have EVER seen, in 30+ years of watching RL, that the team on the pitch is not capable of winning.