Saints chairman: No room left for poor performances

James Gordon

St Helens chairman Eamonn McManus says there is no room left for sub-par performances at the club, and that they must improve for the rest of the season.

Nathan Brown’s men slumped to a disappointing 24-12 defeat to Hull KR on Friday, and have won just four games at Langtree Park all season.

They are currently hanging on to the eighth and final play-off place, with Wakefield just two points behind following their 27-26 win over Hull on Monday night.

McManus said: “There is no doubt that the performance against Hull KR last Friday was nowhere near good enough from a club of the stature of St Helens.

“There has been a lot of soul searching since the defeat and we fully understand the anger and frustrations of our supporters who rightfully expect and deserve better given the strength of our squad.”

St Helens have never missed out on the Super League play-offs since their inception in 1998, and the club’s lowest finish since the league started in 1996 is fifth, back in 2004.

In Brown’s first season in charge since joining the club from Huddersfield, Saints have only won back-to-back games on two separate occasions – the wins over Wakefield and Salford in March, and last month’s victories over Bradford and Salford.

McManus added: “There is no room left for sub-par performances either from the team or from individual players. We may well have had some bad luck this season but we must also face up to the fact that some of our performances have been well below rightful expectations. The rest of the season gives us the opportunity to correct that.

“We will work tirelessly to reach the highest standards which we always seek to set.

“It is only together that we are stronger and there is no doubt that that the continued support of our loyal fans is key to that togetherness.”

Saints have struggled with injuries and suspensions throughout the season, and have handed debuts to no fewer than eight young players.

They have already recruited Penrith Panthers pair Luke Walsh and Mose Masoe to strengthen their squad for the 2014 season.