UNFORTUNATELY, following a much improved performance in Wigan last week, normal service was resumed as the Saints lost their fourth Betfred Super League match in a row.
And that's something I can’t remember happening.
We were beaten 24-10 by the Warrington Wolves, who at times were down to 11 men - and still we struggled to post points.
Wire and England prop James Harrison was given a red card for a shoulder to the head of Noah Stephens, one of the very few Saints players who came out of the game with any credit.
I thought Harrison was very unfortunate to be sent from the field. But, unfortunately for him this in the game now, and standing at 6’5’’ his shoulders are level with many opposition players heads.
Referee Chris Kendal deemed ‘direct shoulder to head, high force with no mitigating circumstances’.
Now I get the new laws, and am all for protecting players welfare, but do we need to be losing players from the field (and since being banned for two matches) for an act with absolutely no malice or foul play, that 18 months ago probably wouldn’t have been a penalty?
(Image: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com)
It’s a contact sport, played at high speed, I just worry how much further we can sanitise our great game.
Unfortunately for Saints, with Harrison off, followed by a sin-binning of Wolves back rower Matty Nicholson for a professional foul, our lack of cohesion on attack saw us fail to score in that ten minute window against just 11 players.
However, shortly after Nicholson returned, an individual effort from Saints sub Sam Royle saw Saints back within two points at 12-10.
Warrington dominated the opening 40 minutes with tries from Matty Ashton and Matt Dufty, with the home side failing to post a point in the first half.
One of the very few positives in the last month however, has been the return to play of fans' favourite Agnatius Paasi, and it was a barnstorming solo effort from Iggy that got Saints back into the game on 45 minutes.
It’s great to see the big man out there after that horrific knee and ankle injury over 12 months ago.
This was followed by Sam Royle’s try at 65 minutes - and despite very little creativity with the ball Saints were in the game.
Unfortunately that would be our last points posted, as Wire crossed for two more tries via Adam Holroyd and the aforementioned Nicholson.
Saints boss Paul Wellens, again refused to make excuses of his horrendous injury crisis, in what I thought was a very honest and fair assessment of our position at the moment.
Coaches can’t use injured players as a reason for losing matches, it comes with the job. You have to work with what IS available..
However, I will 100% support my mate and say the players he is without is obviously going to have a massive impact on performances and ultimately results.
When you list the likes of Knowles, Matautia, Walmsley, Makinson, Batchelor…who would all be in the starting 13, it’s a huge hole to fill.
Wello paid credit to the likes of Harry Robertson and Johnny Vaughan, inexperienced youngsters who have been thrown in at the deep end, due to the small number of available players.
This was obvious when I saw the bench on Friday which included an out of form half back and a winger!
On the plus side, we have seen some heroic efforts from a number of players. Mark Percival continues to lead from the front.
Matty Lees putting in another 80 minute shift in the middle.
Daryl Clark is trying his best to create attacking opportunities from dummy half, but a special shout to the previously mentioned Noah Stephens.
Noah has come into the team this year and never looked back. I love his no-nonsense style of play.
He runs the ball with aggression and leg speed, hits hard on defence and backs down from nobody…everything you want from your props!
There is no denying the players are trying hard, but there needs to be a focus in training this week on individual concentration, composure and skill, something that has been non existent for the past month.
These players are all competent of that, otherwise they wouldn’t be wearing the iconic Red V, but things need to change NOW.
This week, we face a tough trip down the East Lancs to face a Leigh side who will no doubt fancy their chances.
The Leopards have won their last two matches against Huddersfield and London, and are currently sitting in 8th place in the Betfred Super League, with only seven wins from 17 games so far this season.
The Leigh Sports Village is always a tough place to go, but it’s imperative that the Saints turn in a big performance and get the two points.
Hopefully, if not this week we’ll see a number of the big players return from injury and turn things around, ready for the ‘business’ end of the season.
Truthfully, I’m worried about this game. Betfred have us slight favourites at 8/11 for both points - and if like me you think we'll triumph by more than six points well the title sponsors have that at 5/4.
To win the Betfred Super League Grand Final no surprises here with Wigan at 4/5, Saints 7/2, Wire at 6/1, HKR 8/1, Catalans at 9/1 while Salford are 33/1.
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