SOMETIMES you just have to accept it’s not your day, and that was certainly the case for the Saints against Warrington in the Betfred Challenge Cup quarter final on Sunday.

Barring a ten minute spell in the first half after the introduction of James Bell and Sione Matautia, it was possibly the worst St Helens display I’ve watched in a long time.

Take no credit away from a determined Wire side, who completely out enthused and out played the home side throughout, yet up to the 55 minute mark we were still winning!

A sign for me of the lack of confidence and energy in the team was opting to go for goal while 7-6 down, with 30 minutes still to play.

A difficult kick with yet another irregular goal kicker in Jon Bennison, albeit respect for the two great strikes he had….but I thought it was a negative decision while on the front foot in a great attacking position.

Unfortunately, even though we went a point in front, a big boo boo from Jonny Lomax from the restart changed the momentum of the game - and the Wolves never looked back.

The outstanding Matty Ashton spectacularly touched down from the resulting restart, closely followed by Connor Wrench beating everyone to a George Williams kick to put the visitors 11 points clear.

However it was the next score that summed up the St Helens performance, as prop James Harrison barged over two defenders from close range and confirmed our exit from the cup.

There has been a lot of questions about the team's attack this year, and personally I haven’t seen enough from the half backs taking control and asking questions of the opposing defence.

Lewis Dodd has no running game and is playing too far from the defensive line. Too many times on Sunday players looked lost for ideas of what they should be doing.

On top of this, when things aren’t going well with the ball and you spend more time defending, energy levels are sapped, and discipline drops off.

This is a vicious circle.

In defence of Paul Wellens’ men, I will say they looked completely shattered. They have had an enormous month of rugby through April and May.

Two back-to-back wins at Headingley against the Rhinos, followed by that epic Good Friday defeat of Wigan then what is always a tough trip to the South of France to face the Dragons. It is going to take its toll, and I think Sunday was the case.

Either way, they can’t dwell on Sunday's defeat and need to freshen up and get back on the Betfred Super League horse.

They face a desperate Hull FC at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Friday evening. The black and whites are a club in crisis without a Head Coach following the sacking of Tony Smith - and this week had two key players Nu Brown and Tex Hoy leave the club with immediate effect.

Friday's visitors have only won one of their opening seven games and are currently sitting 11th in the Betfred Super League table. So, this should be a given win….but as we know RL doesn’t work that way!

It’s important Saints bounce back with not only a win but a slick performance. Following Sunday's defeat, we will have to do this without Alex Walmsley who tweaked a hamstring, and possibly Curtis Sironen who sustained an upper body knock.

However, a massive boost is the return of Mark Percival, who will certainly add energy and attacking prowess on the left edge.

I’m backing the team to get right back on track come Friday, and inflict more misery on Adam Pearson and Co with a thumping win by over 32 points which is 11/10 with title sponsors Betfred.