Losing tonight proved what some of us already know. MM is a rookie coach. There is no doubting his potential, and his training methods and philosophy are seemingly top notch - however, he does lack experience. Hopefully the former can outweigh the later and we will go onto win at OT. We still have every chance of doing so.

My views on the playoff system are well documented. It is pathetic imo. However, it may actually work to our advantage here. I am in the school that believes that a "week off" does not offer an advantage, rather it actually impedes the team who "earn" it. Obviously injuries could heal, but overall I don't think it is advantageous.

Did we bottle it? Yes we did. As soon as Deacon went off we had absolutely no leadership or direction. Very worrying. I cannot understand why MM didn't move ST to stand off, Richards to FB and one of the forwards to centre/wing. Leaving yourself with a makeshift halfback with 70 mins to go was madness imo.

However, I think we will beat Hull KR and end up facing Leeds in the SF as I don't think Stains will pick us.

If we can learn from this we have every chance of winning at Leeds.

I agree

If we get past Hull KR and Saints send us to Leeds that will be the biggest game this year absolutely massive and could go any way. I would be quietly confident given the fact that we lost so harshly today and the way we have played away this year.

Different side away from home. We will beat leeds in two weeks time.

Oh here we go lets rip the **** out of everyone at the club

I think it's done us a favour tbh if we won tonight i think the break would have been bad for us lets beat hull kr then who ever we play next

we may yet get a home semi final, if say we get past hull kr and wire get through also, and saints then pick the lowest ranked side, being leeds, as they are allowed to pick any of the three sides, we would get home advantage against wire for the semi, all hypothetical of course, but then seeing as at home lately we havent been brilliant, maybe it would be better for us to travel away for the semi.

Some valid points, but I don't see that a weekend off next week and a home game in a fortnight is anything other than a benefit. Last season shows that well enough, and even if we do battle back from here to reach Old Trafford, I think we'd go into the Grand Final as outsiders now. Shame, but that's 27 near-flawless rounds out of the window in one result.

No we aint.

We can only pick between the winners of next week's matches. So, alas, Leeds are forbidden to us. Damn shame because I would have loved them at home. We have done them big time at home many times now. They knew it too and didn't want it!

The break can work either way. It's worked both for and against us, although this time I think we needed it due to injury pressures. Graham was taken off, dazed, and Meli picked up a knock (I think he actually tackled at one point in the match and it was a bit of a shock).

Tonight has thrown up two huge positives. We need to win away to make the GF - our away form is awesome. Plus, we haven't got a week off - we're always sluggish after a week's rest. Tactical genius!

Saints and Leeds get the home games no matter what happens in the next round.

As much as a win tonight would have had the massive benefit of a weeks rest I still think that losing the right to pick your opponent isn't such a bad thing. Im not saying losing was the best outcome either - a win would have no doubt been the very best outcome possible !

If all goes to plan and Warrington & Wigan win next week, Stains have a massive dilema on their hands. Regardless of who they pick, Smith or Maguire wont need to do much of a team talk will they ?

A convincing win against Hull KR will see a trip to Leeds in the semi. A less than convincing win and I'm sure Stains will want to avenge the Good Friday defeat !

On another note, I lost count tonight on how many times Eddie seemed desperate to go and whip down Sinfield and Mcguires shorts to give them a good rimming - what a fecking tool he is ! Oh and Mcguire is a cheating little tool. i don't like to see any player get injured but after that Im struggling to feel sorry for him !

We apparently didnt want clubcall anyway (not thats why we lost, but im also assured that Saints didnt want it).

McIllorum / Prescott were weak tonight, and we really need an organiser.

We said coming away from the ground tonight that having a week off next week may not have been the best thing for us. We've been playing only 1 game in every 2 weekends for about 2 months now and we look rusty in some of the things we're doing(ball movement being the main one).

I have no doubt if we get through against HKR and learn some harsh lessons we can beat this Leeds team.

if you & wire win next week, aren't saints only allowed to choose you lot? last year i seem to recall a daft rule that said you couldn't pick the team you beat in week 1, so saints only option is to pick wigan

It went to r@t when Deacon went off.

Not much of a club call that one