No it wasn't.

And stop putting your team down. We won because we never gave up for 80 minutes regardless of what Wigan sent our way, and our goal line defence was astonishing and our tries superb. We showed something of the never say die attitude that Saints used to be known for, but this time against 13 Pies with all their best players on the pitch.

Yes it was.

So all our best players were on the pitch?
No wonder we lost seeing how quiet Sarginson and Farrell were.
That was a really big game they went missing in!

In normal play no one would have batted an eye lid, but because Hicks blew immediately and backed himself the camera's then went on to do the same. It was forward albeit marginally.

I'm not going to get into the forward pass as those who are convinced one way or the other will not be moved on the matter.

But I don't buy that Wigan were holding back set plays or something else for the semi-finals. When you are playing at that kind of intensity there is not the space and time to think about holding something back or saying well we'll not use that play tonight because it may get found out before the semis.

Both sides gave it a good show and both sides will be convinced and happy that next time they can play better.

Whoever is saying that about Wigan holding back have obviously blown a fuse. That was Wigan at their best so they had better get used to it, we were only missing Farrell and Sarginson, the latter not being the same player he was last year anyway.

It was me regarding set plays. I know it was done during Maguire's years. Anyone suggesting sides don't hold back certain plays for big games obviously have little knowledge of pro sport.

So you thought Wigan held back? I book yourself an appointment at the docs mate, that was Wigan at their best. As already pointed out by Nicky Kiss, Wigan are a complete sham on our oppositions line and we had plenty of spent time on Saints try line on Friday night.

I actually said I was hoping we were. Not sure if you've read my post. I'm not saying they DID, just that it's been done before.

I'm with you, I hope we're not showing our hand but I doubt it. We've been terrible in the opposition twenty all year. We seem to lose all shape and organisation and we really need to work hard on it. Sadly it's a bit late in this season and I do expect it to pick up ten fold next season when Sam is back because he'll undoubtably organise us much better then Bowen (who's been excellent recent but is more of an off the cuff player then Sam Tomkins who's totally changed his style of play).

Guys like Matty Smith, McIlorum and Lockers should take a vast amount if blame for it IMO. They're the senior blokes and should be calling the shots. I do take a certain amount if pity on them though as they don't have a Walmsley, Masoe, Cuthbertson or even Crabtree to act as a decoy which puts just enough doubt in the opposition mind to open up space for others.

Farrell I grant you (though we were missing Walmsley) but you've been better without Sarginson this year.