OF all the weekends I was hoping my good mate and Saints coach Paul Wellens could celebrate his new contract extension this was it!

However, there was very little magic in that Saints performance at Elland Road in Leeds as we went down 20-0 to arch rivals Wigan.

Wello didn’t mix his words in the post-match press conference, again praising the efforts of his players but admitting they didn’t have the quality or ‘football smarts’ to open up the Warriors defence and give themselves an opportunity to win the game.

He did speak about the obvious challenges ahead of the game, having so many first choice players missing through injury or suspension but rightly still expects the players given the shirts to deliver.

I’ve got so much sympathy for Paul, because this current situation he’s dealt is as bad as I’ve ever known in regards to player unavailability.

And to make things even worse, five minutes into the game he loses one of his top three players this season, Curtis Sironen with a calf injury.

The team is currently patched together with players out of position and young kids who would normally be eased into the senior team alongside the more experienced players.

So, I say to the fans , who are clearly and understandably disappointed at the current situation: keep the faith.

The biggest concern for me at the moment is the half back situation and who is steering the ship out there on the field.

Ben Davies filled in at six alongside Moses Mbye on Saturday, but neither are natural leaders and unfortunately it showed with our often failing attack.

The scary thing is Wigan aren’t very good either at the moment, but their superior ball movement and strike on the edges were the difference.

Add to that, a Saints defence that looks to be lacking confidence and connectivity.

That's unfortunately something you get with players playing in unaccustomed positions.

I’ve got to give a big wrap to a man who yet again led from the front, as he has done since he signed for the club as a youngster, Matty Lees.

Leesy was handed the captains armband for the Magic round, and it couldn’t have been more deserved. He has continuously led the team with his own performances despite some tough defeats and disappointing team displays.

Harry Robertson can again hold his head high after producing some more moments of individual brilliance.

As tough as this current run is, there’s no doubt it will help the development of some of these youngsters for years to come.

Things certainly don’t get any easier on Saturday when the Saints host without doubt the best team currently in the Betfred Super League - Hull KR.

The Robins, who sit top of the table put the sword to the out of sorts Catalans Dragons by 36-4 on day two of the Magic weekend.

Rovers have by far the best attack in the competition, and are a team who look like they are enjoying themselves at the moment.

A 100 per cent completion rate in the opening 40 minutes, and leading by 12-4 at the break shows where Willie Peters team is at.

Mikey Lewis is their conductor out there and playing the best rugby of his young career. Add to that, for me currently the best two back rowers in the Betfred Super League, Elliott Minchella and Kelepi Tanginoa.

Niall Evalds at full back and the maverick half back Tyrone May pose even more threat to the Saints defence, which has got to significantly improve on last weekend.

On a positive for the home side, we welcome back skipper Jonny Lomax, and potentially Sione Mata’utia, who I must say has been a huge loss.

Paul Wellens is still mighty confident his team will make the top six play-offs, and with the returning players can have a good dig at getting silverware back to the TWS.

Title sponsors Betfred unsurprisingly have current champions Wigan 10/11 odds on favourites to win the Grand Final at Old Trafford on October 12.

Following the Warriors are HKR at 15/4, Wire on 4/1, Saints slipping out to 6/1, Catalans at 25/1, Leigh on 33/1, Leeds at 40/1 while Salford are on the drift on 66/1 to be outright champs.

Back to this Saturday, I think I’d be foolish to say anything other than Hull KR are rightly favourites to win the game but as we’ve learnt over many decades at Knowsley Road and now the Totally Wicked Stadium you should never write off the Saints!

Finally, to finish on my opening statement and congratulate my old mate Wello on his 12 month extension. Also, the powers that be for standing by a great man, and a very good coach.

I’ve always said it, I believe coaches at times take too much credit, but also too much criticism when times are tough.

Once the players cross the whitewash there’s very little you can control, and given the current injury crisis at the club I think any coach in the world would find it a tough gig.

As I said, keep the faith and get behind a club legend, and an extremely knowledgeable and well respected coach.