Quote: Stu M "I've been really down on us all season for obvious reasons however there is a part of me that thinks we can go to Warrington and win even if Leigh beat us this week. Obviously I'd rather play Salford at H but there were some green shoots in our win over Cas. Whilst they had nothing to play for it was good to see us much more expansive and whilst naturally clunky at times, the difference that Welsby, Percival and even Dodd made was marked. Clark got 20 mins or so and Walmsley took his oven gloves off and caught the ball this time.
Knowles is the big one, his line speed, aggression and metres made plus his linking with the spine does make us look a different side.
A packed out away end at Warrington with no injuries or bans this week would still give me hope.
However that said we do need to beat Leigh. Our away form has been poor and our record against the top 6 even more so. Do I think we are good enough to win the comp? No but there are still a lot of big game experienced players in this team so there's a chance we will make a good fist of it.'"
I think you're right to mention the big game aspect. I don't get the sense that Wire have too many players that you'd say raise their game in the big games. There were certainly a few who disappointed at Wembley, albeit that was just one game.
I think beating Wire, Wigan and Hull KR (for example) in consecutive weeks will be beyond Saints, but you'll obviously be a different proposition with some players back compared to where you have been for the last couple of months. I'd be a lot happier if our route to silverware doesn't involve playing Saints (unless it's in the final!).
