Well it’s been a tough couple of weeks at Saints, firstly with the exit of the Challenge Cup against Catalan Dragons but then to back that up with a dire home defeat to the fifth-placed Huddersfield Giants.

The Giants are virtually playing dead rubbers every week as they are six points off fourth-placed Castleford and are highly unlikely to be part of the semis, so you could excuse them not ‘getting up’ for the game.

However, according to Saints boss Justin Holbrook, it was our boys lacking in enthusiasm and commitment for this game. This is something that needs to change immediately.

Saying all this, it has been a great Betfred Super League campaign so far for Saints and there are always going to be peaks and troughs in the season, but it’s important to turn this poor form around and hit this critical end of the year playing well.

One obvious difference over the past month or so has been the quiet form of Saints superstar Ben Barba. I know all the talk coming out of the NRL is he looks set to re-join his former teammates at Cronulla Sharks next season.

However, nothing has been confirmed from either party and he is still contracted to play in the Betfred Super League until the end of 2019.

My thoughts are whatever is happening, I wish it would come out and let everyone concentrate their efforts on winning the title.

We would all love to see Benny stay in the Super League, he is a special talent and certainly lights up our sport.

Saints get the opportunity to redeem themselves on Thursday with a tough trip to Wakefield.

It’s never been our best hunting ground, but I believe we have the better players and if they come out with the attitude we have seen all year, we will have too much for Trinity.

I will back a Saints win by 10pts (2/1 at Betfred)

Finally, it would be amiss of me not to pay tribute to my good pal Jon Wilkin. Wilko recently announced that he would not be playing at Saints in 2019, following an outstanding 16 year service at the club.

Having won two Grand Finals, four Challenge Cups and a World Club Challenge, he has been a major part of the clubs successes in the 2000s.

He is player who has always given everything for the club over the years, often playing out of position to fill the problematic half-back role.

This is something I’ve not been a fan of, and something I believe cost Wilko more International honours as a line-running, hole-hitting back-rower, because I think he was one of the best.

But as a great team player does, you do want is needed for the good of the team and Wilko never shied away from taking on the responsibility.

Everyone who knows Wilko knows he loves the media! So whatever he decides the next chapter will be, playing or not, I’m sure we will see plenty of him.

Anyway mate, let’s have a deserved sign-off at Old Trafford on a lap of honour! #COYS