SAINTS are on the mend, but not yet out of danger! That was the verdict from Shaun McRae after Saints' emphatic win at Castleford on Sunday.

WHITTLE: Supporters - and they were there in force at Wheldon Road _ were in happy mood travelling back along the M62. A feeling no doubt shared by the team and you?

McRAE: Of course because, as I regularly tell you, Super League is all about winning with the chance of making it to the Grand Final a tremendous incentive this season. On balance the victory at Castleford was arguably Saints' best performance so far, and the final margin would have been greater but for several unforced handling errors. However, scoring six tries away from home can't be bad, while the fact that Saints' conceded only one - and that with an hint of obstuction - was a source of satisfaction after continued criticism of our defence. Analysing individual performances is never an exact science and I am loathe to become involved in it, but I thought Tommy Martyn, Paul Newlove and Chris Joynt were particularly outstanding at Castleford in a heartwarming show in which team spirit and unbounded enthusiasm were the key factors.

WHITTLE: A number of people, including me, were left wondering why Saints' turned out in their 'home' strip at Castleford. Can you enlighten us?

McRAE: This is kit-man Stan Wall's department, but I think that you have got it wrong in that there is no such thing as 'home' and 'away' strips. In fact the correct terminology is 'first' and 'second' choice, with avoidance of colour clash influencing the jersey decision.

WHITTLE: Still at 'Cas' why did some of the players return home in their own transport?

McRAE: There was nothing unusual in that because some of the lads prefer to head back home in company with their wives and girlfriends. Location has a lot to do with it, for instance Chris Smith and Paul Newlove live in Yorkshire and Paul Sculthorpe's home is at Oldham. Commonsense comes into the equation too but, as far as is practicable, Saints' only insist that the team are together on the outward journey. WHITTLE: It was good to see Bobbie Goulding (pictured)at Wheldon Road, albeit on radio duty. What is the current situation with the player at Saints?

McRAE: I had a heart-to-heart two-hour-long chat with Bobbie on Tuesday afternoon and he assured me that he is determined to fight for his first-team place at Knowsley Road. Goulding has remained in training and, as far as I am concerned, is available for selection and will play in the Alliance side at Widnes tonight.

WHITTLE: With Vila Matautia sidelined by injury and Dean Busby on loan at Hull that leaves you with a 22-man squad. Not much room for manoeuvre?

McRAE. Absolutely. But fortunately I have to pinch myself with the injury situation being so light at present, but that could change overnight. However, I think the 'on-loan' facility is in need of re-appraisal for, in my opinion, if a player is under contract to a club that is who he should play for, and no one else. As for Dean Busby, the lad goes back to the Boulevard and is almost immediately injured, and will probably play just two games in a month's loan period. Such is life in the rough-and-tumble of Rugby League.

WHITTLE: London Broncos visit Knowsley Road on Sunday with the dubious distinction of never having beaten Saints in their 18-year history. Always a first time?

McRAE: Maybe, but hopefully not this weekend! However, with London just beneath Saints in the table another four-pointer is in prospect against a Broncos side who have a remarkable ability to motivate themselves against the 'big guns.' Ask Bradford and Wigan, who were taken the distance this season, while Saints hung on for a 22-22 draw versus the Broncos at Knowsley Road in 1997.

WHITTLE: With Academy and Alliance player-of-the-month awards already under his belt, 18-year-old scrum-half and leading goal-kicker Paul Wellens is proving a star turn at Knowsley Road this season. One for the future?

McRAE: Without doubt. And I speak as a man who regularly watches the Alliance side and also listens to the favourable comments of their stalwart supporters. The progress of 6ft 13 stone Paul is being closely monitored, I can assure you.

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