HAPPY with two points - but not with certain players failing to pull their weight. That was the response of Shaun McRae to Saints' narrow victory at Oldham.

WHITTLE: A close shave at Boundary Park but it should not have been. What has happened to Saints' killer instinct of last season?

McRAE: That question is uppermost in my mind. And the events at Oldham added fuel to the belief that, having apparently taken control, Saints were guilty of losing the ball and allowing the opposition to come back into contention by scoring tries in both halves. This was particularly evident after the first 15 minutes of the second period when Saints looked to be coasting home in leading 34-24, only for the Bears to creep ever closer with a try in the 80th minute. But if we are to enjoy the try-line security of 12 months ago it is vital that the defensive workload be shared more equally and sadly that is not the case at present, and it would appear that there are times when some players feel they have done enough. At the risk of being dubbed a whinger I would ask supporters to remember that Saints were disrupted by the early loss of Vila Matautia; had six stars missing through injury and, in having just two games in Australia, Oldham had more recovery time than my lads. Major plusses for me were the hat-trick by Danny Arnold and the return of Joey Hayes following his two tries in the Alliance side on Wednesday.

WHITTLE: While no one wants to see the head-hunter return don't you think the game is in danger of becoming 'soft' with dismissals,. sin-binnings and being placed on report being handed out for offences that would have merited no more than a caution a few years ago?

McRAE: All I ask from referees is consistency and I do not believe that was the case at Oldham, as witness the fact that two Oldham players were guilty of throwing a punch and were put on report while a provoked Vila Matautia was shown the red card for a similar action. I would be the first to agree that refereeing is a difficult job - I certainly wouldn't like it! - but at the end of the day that they chose the whistle in the first place, and it is my belief that the the time has arrived for full-time officials. Furthermore, while not advocating the provision of video screens at every game for reasons of expense, I am also of the opinion that some modified device, such as a television screen, should be made available to assist the referee in the decision-making process.

WHITTLE: With Tommy Martyn, Alan Hunte and Joey Hayes all having had knee reconstructions, and Keiron Cunningham, Bobbie Goulding, Chris Joynt and now Danny Arnold also having experienced problems in the same area, don't you think the hard grounds of summer rugby have something to answer for? McRAE: Hard grounds - you must be joking after all the rain we've had! Seriously your suggestion doesn't not stand up to close examination because most of the players you mention were having knee problems before the advent of summer rugby. As for the Knowsley Road pitch both the team and myself have absolutely no complaints thanks to the efforts of Saints' head groundsman Neil Holding and his staff. And there shouldn't be any snags when we arrive in Australia because the grounds shou.d be good 'nick' at the start of the summer season.

WHITTLE: You have been reported as saying that the Alliance League should be scrapped, which would be a revolutionary step to say the least. Any comment?

McRAE: Plenty! First of all to stress that I was once again totally misquoted, and in order to put the record straight what I did suggest what that the Alliance competition be restructured in that it be generally confined to players under 21, with no more than 3-5 players over that age to provide the 'old heads.' Furthermore I would lower the Academy age from its present under-19 to under-18 on the premise that several of our youngsters are a mere16-years-of-age, and that extra year would give them more time to develop for the demands of senior rugby.

WHITTLE: Your fingers were no doubt crossed at Sheffield last night, but what is the injury situation with Sunday's epic with Bradford and the impending trip to Australia in mind?

McRAE: Dean Busby has broken his fibula and it looks as though his season has ended. Chris Morley was due to return at the Don Valley after a neck injury and Apollo Perelini (elbow) and Tommy Martyn (knee) entered hospital on Tuesday. Steve Prescott is recovering after surgery and Andy Northey faces a scan on his calf muscle. But Bobbie Goulding should return against Halifax on Sunday week.

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