1. There was an expression of surprise at Justin Holbrook’s use of the word “underestimate” with reference to his side’s defeat by Wigan.

Although the staff and players obviously knew it was a derby and were quite well aware of the talents within a Wigan side that have rebuilt their season since June’s blip maybe there were other factors that made Shaun Wane’s men attack this with a great degree of hunger and aggression.

Although Saints had plenty to play for – wrapping up the League Leaders Shield and completing a league whitewash over Wigan – they were probably trumped by the Cherry and Whites’ desire.

For Wane’s last derby at Saints after an involvement in the game for more than 35 years, he was always going to have his players prepared to run through a brick wall in attack (and erect one in defence) that the battle to avoid that whitewashing, the Wigan’s motivation was clear

2. That said, that Wigan could take it up a notch physically and Saints could not live with it was a concern with the big games to come.

Wigan ran stronger and on a number of occasions their ball carriers were still standing after the tackle was complete.

That was in stark contrast to Saints, whose forwards were repeatedly stopped dead in their tracks and turned back towards their own goal line.

Lose that battle and everything else goes to pot, particularly the way Saints have relied on the platform from a quick play the ball. Saints do look one big lump light in the front row, but it should be noted that this same pack (albeit with Dom Peyroux) has done it all year without Alex Walmsley.

It is going to be tough and it will need all of them to really get up to the mark when it comes to the knockout games – but similar criticisms were levelled at the team in 2014 and we all know what happened then.

3. How the times change. On a sunny Good Friday Ben Barba skinned opposite number Morgan Escare en route to a spectacular score and all was fine with the world, but on Friday the boot was on the other foot with the Frenchman getting his own back.

Now Barba is getting plenty of stick with some fans and pundits calling him for him to be axed. When the going was good, and the platform was there, it was a joy to watch Jonny Lomax and Ben Barba at their attacking best.

Barba was, at the start of the year, a genuine game-breaker and gave the team some flashes of brilliance which we thought would have been remembered for years to come. But with each passing week that is getting expunged from the fans’ memories. That is a real shame.

Of course, there will be things going through his head regarding his impending move back to the NRL, but the biggest reason Barba is not shining is because the team, as a whole, is underperforming. Teams have to some extent rumbled how to nullify some of that threat.

Barba’s lack of effort as the last line of defence, when he seems unwilling to even act as a speed bump, has been cited as a bad attitude.

But that aspect of his game is no different to that at the start of the year when he was being heralded as the second coming. I suppose if you are scoring two and creating one at one end, the misses at the back were tolerated.

Barba is not the primary reason that Saints have gone off the boil, but the whole situation has been more than a distraction in this part of the season.

4. At least the only blessing from Friday night was that we did not have to endure the pantomime with the League Leaders Shield appearing, and then being taken away like a Bulls Eye star prize. Saints will have other goes at taking it – but they can’t take it for granted. One win should do it, with their points difference, and it would be handy just to get that out of the way.

5. It was disappointing to see Ryan Morgan go off so early in the game after sustaining another head knock. Player welfare is important – and Saints had done their due diligence with the centre during his previous lay-off. It is, however, different to previos knocks and will only be out for the one game this time. With doubts over Adam Swift, the previous tactic of shunting Tommy Makinson into the centres won't work this time so, which could mean an extended run for Matty Costello. 

6. It looks like there will be a new team coming into Super League next year and Saints will have to travel a bit further than Widnes.

Toulouse and Toronto are making the running to take a top flight spot as the Vikings’ catastrophic season continues.

Although it is great for the global development of the sport, you have to fear for rugby league in a town that has been a real hot-bed for the 13-man code over the decades.

Saints have done well out of this neighbouring town over the years - from Alan Prescott, Vince Karalius, George Nicholls, Bobbie Goulding to current day Mark Percival and Danny Richardson.

The town - per head of population - has done more than most to top up the game's playing pot over the years. As we move on and add more cosmopolitan venues let us not forget the importance of the town's that have given our game plenty over the decades - and as long as they are looked after - will continue to do so.