Deary me. Can we call this first 15 minutes a practice session, and restart the game? We're terrible.

I take it back. We're not terrible, we're embarrassing.

We've looked alright in the few sets in which we haven't dropped the ball. Our organisation in defence has been woeful, though.

Let's run through some more adjectives.

Terrible. Embarrassing. Slow. Small. Unfit. Disgraceful.

I'll tell you what, when none of our backs can close a gap on Danny maguire in a 50 metre foot race, you know you're looking at the slowest saints back line we've ever put out.

Pathetic , in defense and attack. Whay is Walsh still sat on the bench ?

I'm not too worried about the attack. We haven't had enough possession for that to settle in. Our defence on the edges has been horrific, though. Terrible decisions all over the place, as well as some weak shots. Wilkin, Flash, Jones and Turner all culprits.

FFS.

It's all been sh*t.

Leeds have simply picked our weak spots. We can match them in the middle, but their worst back is better than our best back. So they're just shipping it out wide, and we can't come close to containing them. Literally men against boys. Their backs look about six inches taller, three stone heavier and ten metres faster than ours.

...and 28 times more intelligent.

And just think, no Hall or Briscoe in those backs either

I think that is called a lack of professionalism.

It has nothing to do with defence. We turned over the ball on 3 of our first 4 sets of possession with the ball. So basically we were giving the ball, possession and territory to Leeds.

It was clear we came out with an aim to out play their forwards and play it in their half. But that was undermined straight away by Wilkin, Flanagan and Swift. They gave them easy ball which because they are no jokers they made the most of. After that it was just exhibition stuff from Leeds whilst we ran around not knowing what to do being 18 - 0 down.

In terms of coaching Mcdermott has taken Kerion to school so far. He knows we drop our wingers back early, so they are spreading the ball to absolutely exploit those gaps.

We've not helped ourselves at all.

We've made ground with the ball, and we've created some try-scoring opportunities. We've been unlucky that in two of those opportunities our final pass has led to a Leeds try. If those two passes stick that's an 18-22 point swing.

The defence has been extremely worrying, though. We're wilting on the edges every time we're challenged. Dreadful, and puts the WCC match in a different context.

Could be in for a smashing here. Only hope is that Leeds decide not to bother in the second half.

Not going to claim it's down to certain individuals, but I'll bet Wilkin, Flanagan and Jones won't enjoy looking at the stats. But apart from Roby and Amor, nobody is going to want to watch this again afterwards.

I disagree. Yes, our poor handling has put us under pressure. But that doesn't mean that you have to fold immediately. In that second Handley try there were three separate poor defensive reads in one play.

Just been said at half time Thompson should have taken the penalty. Exactly what I mean by lack of professionalism. He left a 20 gap and 6 points go rather than cover his own mistake and just give away some yards.

Yes there are defensive frailties. But they get exposed more with the more ball and good ball that the other side has. We can help limit poor defensive reads by keep hold of the ball more and controlling the game more.

I wouldn't disagree with that.

And thats why Walsh should have been on after 20 mins

So remind me why Walsh stayed on the bench for the first half?

This is much better. Burns is making some panicky plays, though. We've got plenty of time to get the kick away and build pressure.

No need to panic but we look so much better with Walsh on

Walsh is creating loads of space. But it's been so long since we had an attacking backs game that we just don't have any runners coming into the gaps. It could take a few games to relearn how to play an attacking game.

Glad they've found some fight and some pride.

Notice the sly lot havent mentioned Sinfield's pass being about a yard forward. No replays from that angle either