SAINTS coach Justin Holbrook gave his thoughts to the Star’s Mike Critchley.

MC: What has been the reaction to the manner of that Wigan defeat?

JH: It is disappointing. We had some opportunities that first half and did not execute them, whereas Wigan did.

That was the difference. We know if we play well we can beat them, but we did not play well.

MC: Would the Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook try have altered the course of the game?

JH: We did not play well, but that is a try for me and we would have been 6-4 up and a different part of the game. But we have to be better so those decisions don’t come into it.

MC: The sheer physicality of Wigan saw Saints ball carriers being turned while in contrast their strong runners were often left standing after the tackle. What causes that?

JH: When you are poor with the ball and miss opportunities you give the opposition more ball and they stay fresher and it becomes harder through fatigue.

They wanted to beat us more - indicated by the actions you outline. It is something we could have been better at.

We have beaten them twice and knew they were going to come at us and it would be our hardest game of the year. They didn’t want a 3-0 drubbing and see us lifting the League Leaders Shield - and that was the difference.

MC: After losing three from four, the expectation that Saints were going to win the lot has been turned upside down. How do you stop that negativity making the situation worse?

JH: Look at where we sit. If we put a perspective on it that says Wigan were fighting for a home semi-final and had a greater desire.

We are still sitting clear but that is not good enough.

We have got to have pride in our performance to not let that happen, and people make those comments. Friday night we did not have it and that is why those questions are being asked.

We are sitting where we are for a reason, but we have to get back to doing it for the last few rounds.

MC: Looking at Saturday, Catalans have had their celebration after the final, they will want to get back up to the mark now and show off in front of their home fans.

JH: It would have been great to play them last week.

We are going get them in their first home game since winning the cup. The celebrations will have stopped and they will be ready to go.

That is good. We need to motivate ourselves get ourselves up for it.

We need to have the approach of get up early, fly over and get the job done and come home.

It won't be easy.

We were disappointing last time we played them so will have to play better.

MC: Unless Wigan lose on Thursday - you won't lift the League Leaders Shield on Saturday, but a win in France will as good as make it certain. Do you just want this part ticked off now?

JH: It is hard to say because a lot of people are saying just get it wrapped up. It is hard because second, third and fourth are all fighting for their positions and trying to get a home semi. We are trying to fast forward something by saying 'just wrap it up and move on.

It is not the focus we want. We just want the focus of playing Catalans this week.

We don't want the external factors to come into play.

MC: Once Saints have wrapped up the shield will that give you the option to stand players down, or do you want to keep them really purring for the semi.

JH: I am just thinking about the next game. If we do win it may change. All I want to do is pick our best side to play Catalans and go from there.

If we get through te games and nobody is picking up bumps and bruises then they will play on.

We won't risk players with niggles though.