SAINTS' early lead led to complacency, but there were mitigating circumstances for the below-par performance against Castleford - so said Shaun McRae.

WHITTLE: The first home point lost versus Cas at Knowsley Road since 1990. What went wrong?

McRAE: In my view the game never really got going due in no small measure to a remarkable penalty count of 30. But I also have to say that Saints' intensity dropped after forging into a 14-0 advantage and they failed to regain their previous momentum. Maybe a pre-occupation with the play-offs was on some minds, and I do know that a flu bug took its toll but at the end of the day the final decision on fitness rests with the player. And I do not believe that EVERY Saint could look in the mirror and say he gave his all. Shoddy work around the ruck and unnecessary off-loading often put Saints under pressure at crucial times against a Tigers side who, because they have no top-five pretensions, were playing for nothing but pride. However there were lessons to be learned on Sunday, in particular that you can't afford to concede six tries at home and hope to live with the likes of Wigan and Leeds, because shortcomings such as this separate top teams from those of lesser ability

WHITTLE: What is your opinion of that contentious last-gasp penalty?

McRAE: As I saw it Brad Davis elected for a 'tap' from the side of the mark and, like a lot of people, I was surprised when the kick was ordered to be re-taken.

WHITTLE: Three players on report and all subsequently cleared _ a futile exercise or a case of the referee passing the buck perhaps?

McRAE: Not at all because the 'placing on report' facility is there to protect both player and official. There are occasions in today's high-speed game when incidents occur which call for a 'second look,' and I am totally in agreement with this. WHITTLE: Once again there was instances on Sunday when the 10-metre rule was flagrantly disregarded by Castleford. Agreed?

McRAE: I believe fans tend to be blinkered about this in that they tend to look at the opposition, rather than in their own backyard. What does get up my nose is when referees glance across the line, and wave play on when a player is blatantly encroaching. However, it should be borne in mind that nowadays teams move up as soon as the ball hits the ground.

WHITTLE: A first-minute penalty to Saints on a cold day - and with it yet another pitch invasion resembling a Normandy beach-head. Why?

McRAE: At the risk of repetition the medical and training staff reserve the right to top up the fluid levels of players at every opportunity. WHITTLE: Many 'speccies' are not happy that the game with London Broncos has been switched to tomorrow night from Sunday afternoon, even though there is a council ban on floodlights at the Stoop. Another instance of television being the game's paymaster?

McRAE: Maybe, but what is the alternative? However I can understand the annoyance of fans who wanted to make the trip. As for floodlights I believe Sky provide them and screen viewing is quite satisfactory. With regard to the game itself, the Broncos will be fully charged up because they have never beaten Saints and have a glimmer of hope of a play-off spot.

WHITTLE: As Saints prepare for the journey what is the bulletin from the medical room?

McRAE: That Brett Goldspink, Karle Hammond, Anthony Sullivan and Paul Newlove should all have recovered from knocks. However, I would rate Chris Joynt no more than possible, while Julian O'Neill is pencilled in for the game with Sheffield.

WHITTLE: It's good to see Andy Leatham back and playing well in the Alliance side, don't you think?

McRAE: Young Andy certainly had a good innings at Wigan last Thursday, and the way he has battled back from injury speaks volumes for the lad as it does for Joey Hayes, and no doubt will do for Andy Haigh

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