Paranoid, thanks for the fag packet psychoanalysis, but saying what you have about Saints suffering from the absence and lack of experienced players sort of proves my original point I think.

So I do feel we lacked composure at key points in the match. I feel with our first choice pivots this may have swayed it into our favour.

It's doubtful that you are right about Green and Powell but you are plain wrong about McIlorum. Apart from the fact that we would have interchanged the hookers, a fully fit McIlorum is at the moment, better than Tomkins.

Not sure which direction this thread is wandering in, but I am certain that we would have won with a full team as I am that the sun will come up tomorrow. Composure, structure, physical presence, game know how, fitness, interchange options - everything would have been improved.
We are in the happy position that we can nurse our lads to fitness, drop a few points and still finish top if we are not at Wembley or 2nd if we are, plus then rest/spell players in advance of the play offs.
In the mean time we are learning a great deal about alternatives should disaster strike. We almost certainly won't have to go to Wire again in 2013, and we now have a deep pool of talent who know what is required to beat the best (other, arguably than us) side in the competition on their home patch.
If the last few weeks had been part of a masterplan - give the pivots a break, sort out injuries, expose youngsters to real pressure, while remaining 3 points clear - it would have been a work of genius.

Although I think Powell had a decent game, you would expect Green would have had more success in unlocking Wire's defence and putting on the plays.

Farrell in particular seems to thrive on Green's passing game.

Yep! I don't think that Faz has picked up a four pointer all the time Green has been sidelined. (Someone will no doubt correct me if I'm wrong)