NEVER did I imagine that with only two league games from the end of the regular Betfred Super League season, and Saints would still be scrambling to secure a place in the top six.

Unfortunately, this is the case as we are currently sitting in sixth place, with Leeds and Catalan hot on our tail.

The Rhinos, who are level with Saints are on 28 points but with a minority points difference, with the out of form Dragons on 26. These are the only two teams who can deny the Saints a play-off quarter final.

If we are to do the frankly unthinkable, but not unachievable and make the Theatre of Dreams on October 12 we will have to do it the hard way winning two away fixtures (unless results really go our way and we manage fourth!).

However, before then we have two must win games against Castleford at home and the in-form Leigh Leopards at their place before even thinking about knock out football.

I’ll be honest, this column is getting more and more difficult to write every week without being too negative on the previous performance.

But Saturday saw another dreadful display away at Warrington.

I don’t need to dwell again on the unfortunate run of injuries and disruption the team have been dealt this year, because we all know that has been the case.

However, some of the individual performances served up lately are just not acceptable in the Red V.

Some of the big names are just not doing it. Far too many unforced errors, moments of ill discipline and all round lack of quality, especially in attack.

How Waqa Blake continues to be given a jersey I will never know. I spoke in previous weeks about the complete lack of urgency and effort in his game.

Well this week was a whole new level. The stand out play was a forward pass from a tap restart, something you’d be filthy with at under 9s.

Players make mistakes, but not like that, and at this level.

There continues to be no cohesion in attack, with Saints yet again not only failing to cross the whitewash, but barely making a line break.

This is not something the Saints fans are used to seeing.

Unfortunately we’ve been yet again hit hard by the match review panel, with Matty Lees and Moses Mbye both handed two match bans for misdemeanours against the Wire - although Matty has tonight had his charge downgraded and is free to play.

So, Wigan came out on top of Friday's top of the table clash with Hull KR, who I must say were by far the better team. But, yet again another game blighted by controversial yellow cards.

So Wigan go two points clear at the summit, the Robins stay second ahead of Warrington, who look like can’t be moved from third place and a home quarterfinal. Salford and Leigh sit 4th and 5th respectively ahead of Saints.

Title sponsors Betfred have Wigan favourites offered for Grand Final glory ahead of HKR as we enter the business end of the year.

We are not surprisingly the big movers out to 12/1.

So, Friday and our final home game of the season as Castleford come to town. They are playing for nothing but pride, but that could make them dangerous as they look to finish the season on a positive.

This is a game, that if Saints still have ambitions of silverware this year, they simply must put on a show.

We need to find some fluidity in attack and start to build some confidence if they are to make the do-or-die rounds.

Also, next week against Leigh will be as tough as any game this season.

On the positive side, Saints saw their main strike weapon Jack Welsby make a shock return in the Wire game, ahead of expected.

So he will no doubt be out to prove a point on Friday and kick start the Saints attack.

Also, it was announced this week that one of the best attacking brains to play our sport, my old mate Lee Briers will join the clubs coaching staff in 2025, following a two year stint with the Brisbane Broncos...if only he could still pull a 7 jersey on.

Former Cas favourite Daryl Clark looks set to return from injury for the Saints against his old club, so hopefully with his and Jack's attacking threat we’ll see some decent points on the board this week.