You have got to be kidding? A bit?

I think all of us at that game last night were fearing what would happen when the changes started. We were so damn good, absolutely amazing at times. As soon as we took off the kingpin, Aiton, the change happened, and it was absolutely no coincidence that when we brought him back on, it immediately changed back in our favour.

The fascination in bringing Burrow on has to stop, sometimes it just won't work. It could have ruined a great night last night, just like it stopped the momentum at Cas the other week. Other times it does work, but we only need it on those occassions.

That might not have been specifically Burrows fault, but the change of Aiton off and other on was the problem. Yes, Walsh made Saints play different, but so what, I was more concerned in how we played, and it was no coincidence, or because of Saints.

Like I said Aiton was just fantastic. Sutcliffe, wow, what a performance from the lad, really showed something different last night. Great faith from McDermott in going for him over what was on the bench, and you could see the difference in the lad. McGuire looks so much more comfortable with Sutcliffe. Handley aswell, looked do comfortable in that side and looked such a good partnership with Moon. Wardy, what a player this lad is, never lost faith in his talent, and really showing it now.

I think most players really did show their mettle last night. I know the momentum went with us, but we made that ourselves, with some wonderful stylish play. Again the forwards really set a great platform and never shirked any work.

I did however think Achurch left a lot to be desired, and I still don't see anything in Yates that I haven't seen better from Mulhern.

We were very good last night Aiton, Ward and Sutcliffe were stand outs for me. The fluidity with which we play is so pleasing to watch. What is all the more remarkable is that only Moon was in his correct position in the threequarters. We did look a bit vulnerable on our right edge and the game has moved on from when Ablett looked a credible centre. Agree with Gotcha not sure what either Achurch or Yates are doing to justify selection ahead of some of the academy lads. Also agree re. Burrow his useful days at Leeds look numbered and perhaps the club should do him a favour and find him a senior place on the coaching staff.

The kick play from Sutcliffe for Handley's third try was the play of the season so far - simply brilliant in thought and execution. Leeds looked a good five yards faster than Saints tonight. I see Burns is still the plodding head high merchant he was in the NRL and at Hull KR.

Agree mostly with you

Yates I think is finding his feet and I have seen an improvement so far (may only be small but still)

Too simplistic to suggest Aiton being replaced by Burrow as the reason for a change in momentum. Many other factors like Cuthbertson and Singleton going off at similar time and Achurch coming on who may have got injured. Momentum changes in matches and a team like Saints were always going to gain some momentum at some stage. Walsh played a key part for them at a time when we made a few errors like when Hardaker gifted them possession a couple of times.

I suppose it is too simplistic to point out it changed back the other way when Aiton came back on for Burrow too? And it was just a coincidence.

You need to stop with the biase. Like I said above, i wasn't blaming the player, Burrow, it was the whole change in play because of it that was the problem. The team couldn't move forward, the play from dummy half struggling, then back on and that all changes. Burrow can't play the way Aiton plays, just like Aiton can't play the way Burrow does. It's what is best for the team that counts.

Our forwards were great, the three starting props ran hard, offloaded and tackled brilliantly. Ward and Aiton were terrific and Delaney seem to be getting back to fitness. Agree that the bench forwards were a little weak.
I also thought Amor was outstanding for Saints, tremendous work rate, ran hard and hit hard.
But, Suttcliffe had a brilliant game, I have to credit the coach for giving him the chance by leaving Kev on the bench. He worked really well with McGuire, his hands were superb, he ran when needed and made some key tackles. The kick for Handley's hat trick try was about as perfect as you could get.
The first half was about as good a performance as I've seen for some years, and Saints were up in our faces from the start.

Think the pressure is getting to Cunningham, his after match interview was bad tempered and bordering on disrespectful - particularly his comment about Paul Aiton. He's falling into the interview method of the Ape where they only lose because they have allowed the opposition to win, grudgingly mentioning only out of protocol that Leeds were the better team.

That's difference between a hooker playing as a hooker and a half back trying to play as a hooker

Agree with that DHM.

I think Sinfield was left on the bench so that we could start with 3 props to try and match Saints. So we had to get off to a good start or our bench forwards wouldn't have much impact. Though I suppose McDermott could've put Sutcliffe to the bench instead so it's still to his credit for putting faith in him. It's also massively to McDermott's credit that our style of play is so great to watch. We're going to have a period in the season where it doesn't go our way and we'll lose a few games but I don't care. I'd rather we lose a few games trying to play this kind of rugby than try the boring tactic of out the back plays with a shed load of obstructing supporting runners done over and over again until the defence is obstructed but it's not penalised © Wigan Warriors

I agree on Cunningham too, I know he did a couple of years as assistant but I think he's been given the top job way too early. I hope we don't make the same mistake with any of our soon to be retiring players.

What did Cunningham say?

I didn't catch it all but the jist of it was that they made Aiton look like a world class hooker when he's isnt

Basically he said Saints made Aiton look like the best hooker who ever played, he said "no disrepect but (anything that follows that is disrespect) he said he's a good player, and pulled a daft face, insinuating he's not all that. Coming from a bloke who 100% failed at international level. Sini looks like a god at that level next to Cunningham.

Very disrespectful from a coach.

I don't think it's harsh to say we were better with Aiton at 9 but also lets not forget when RB came on ST's did regain momentum especially in the first 20 of the 2nd half and i'd also say it was no coincidence Cuthbertson & JP were spelled during that period.
Add in the errors we made and the bigger picture shows it wasn't as straight forward as a swop at 9 imo.
Also have to agree Mc.D got it all spot on with tactics and selection plus i think some are being harsh on Yates here we know he isn't a JP or Cuthbo and is still very much a work in progress at SL level but he wasn't the worse young Prop we've ever seen either.
Sutcliffe is showing what many of us saw in his acadamy days and bringing it into SL he isn't a Sinfield ,Mcguire or Burrow he's his own player and should be judged as such.
He'll make mistakes no doubts at all but IMO we should re-build around him either eventually as an extra pivot at 13 should we sign the rumoured H/B or keep him at 6.

Having just seen back Hardakers try in the first half the ease Sutcliffe tore open St Helens was phenomenal
True class

I think the bench last night looked weak. The bench should add impact but achurch who has looked excellent out wide this season is wasted at prop. Yates seems to be in the Kirke role of being steady but unspectaculat.
I agree with above that sometimes burrow off the bench works and sometimes it doesn't. Hull away he was great. Last night less so. Keeping aiton mcguire sinfield burrow and Sutcliffe happy will be tough.
We are spoiled though. A record win away at saints with 4 first teamers missing and a six point lead at the top is beyond any of our expectations this season

His composure and awareness, knowing that Hardaker was coming on to it belied his young years. He could have a big future indeed.

Agree with Gotchas summing up.
I kept saying get Burrow off he is slowing us down and offering very little.
Sutcliffe and McGuire played well together and Sutcliffe can only get better.
Aiton, JP and Ward who tackled all night were top notch.
I actually think a couple of Saints tries were dubious at best.
They will be a different team once their injured players come back and Walsh gets match fit.
I actually felt we didn't lose anything with Watkins and Handley on the wings replacing Briscoe and Hall.

The pass to Hardaker rather than Aiton - who was probably covered ad would have been tackled - was what impressed me too. Altogether a masterly performance from the young man. It did seem as though the coach's faith in him at the expense of Sinfield was the final element in him really stepping up to the plate. Very impressive and now undoubtedly (I hope) Leeds' first choice stand off for the rest of the season.

I have to give credit to the coach who I have not always been the biggest fan of

..... it is a masterful performance from him also in handling the transition phase we were all fearing.

McGuire is playng his best footy for many a season and makes for a pretty damn good half back partnership at the moment.

Sinfield must remain as an option in the forwards....he still looks good at dummy half (think it was Sinfield that helped create McGuire's try). Burrow's days at Leeds do look sadly numbered at present; Aiton too is showing his apparent appreciation at being selected as first choice hooker.

He was aided by an absolutely awful read by whoever was defending in that left centre position for Saints.

Flew out of the line to shut the play down, and all Sutcliffe had to do was skip onto Wilkin's outside shoulder and through the yawning gap it left.

Great composure to pick the right pass once he did though.

On the game as a whole:

Saints were awful in the first half, there's no getting away from that. Credit to Leeds for being able to take advantage and being a step quicker in everything they did.

While I appreciate we're down to arguably 17 or 18 fit senior pros with the four that are missing, team selection did look a bit of square pegs in round holes in places. The bench in particular looked lightweight with both Sinfield and Burrow on it.

Sutcliffe and McGuire worked well as a partnership again, off the back of some good work from Aiton at dummy half. Thought we handled Saints props pretty well, they were reduced to throwing blind offloads at times out of desperation. Unable to win the collision, Roby looked much less effective getting out of dummy half. Unsurprisingly, they looked a much better side with Walsh on the field but the game had pretty much already gone by then.

Some interesting selection decisions to be made when the likes of JJB get fit. If he comes back into the side, you'd expect it would be for the likes of Achurch or Yates, but that would leave us even more lacking in size off the bench.

Contrast with McDermott who was very modest about Leeds forst half and complimentay about Saints. I said something similar after a petulant whiny post match interview from Darryl Powell last year. McDermott's presence has really grown since he first got the job and his media interviews are generally very good.

An excellent first half is an understatement. The biggest concern for me wasn't Burrow for Aiton but our right side defence when Walsh came on. However, Saints were always going to throw everything at us after half time and we were very composed again by the end.

Well done last night guys.

Mightily impressive performance from Leeds. Totally outclassed us I felt at the game. Disappointed in our defending, which has been awful the last few weeks but you guys were utterly ruthless. Very impressed with Sutcliffe, what a talent that lad is and I think Singleton is another with big potential.

Long season with more battles to come.

Massive assist goes to Jordan Turner who spent the entire game charging up on his own to smash someone. He had his sights set on Ablett and didn't care that he left a huge hole for Suttcliffe to run through.

Fabulous win last night but to quote the old cliche "you win nothing in April".
What has been most pleasing has been the way in which we have won, playing slick, expansive yet (generally) controlled rugby.
Cuthbertson & Aiton have been instrumental in that with McGuire also pulling the strings.
Some our passing in & around the ruck area was reminiscent of that of Melbourne Storm.
But I have to admit to getting a wee bit nervous after Saints start to the second half.

Yeah, mentioned that above and just watched it back again on the highlights. Awful read, hung Wilkin out to dry against someone with Sutcliffe's footwork.

Stats for game. Stevie ward got through his usual chunk of tackles. Having a storming season so far www.superleague.co.uk/report/11127

Stats for game. Stevie ward got through his usual chunk of tackles. Having a storming season so far www.superleague.co.uk/report/11127