KEIRON Cunningham said Saints were woeful in their reverse against Hull FC and says there needs to be some soul searching as the club looks to move forward.
“That was one of the worse games of rugby league I have seen for a long time,” he said. “We completed at 51 per cent in the first half and 43 in the second half. I was bemused and couldn’t get my head around the performance.
“There were three players out there who put their hands up every week – Mark Percival, James Roby and Alex Walmsley – the rest of the boys seem to cruise along.
“This is one of the biggest games of the season for us coming off the back of the loss in Catalan. We started with a little bit of intent but didn’t see it through.
“Hull had nothing to play for and are playing better rugby now than when they were really structured. They looked dangerous and I said during the week they took Cas to the wire and should have won.
“We were pretty close in the semi-final but for a couple of defensive issues and at Catalan we had half a dig and still could have got that game, but for me that was woeful. I haven’t got words in my vocabulary to tell you how bad that second half was.”
He continued: “James Roby was phenomenal in a poor side. He came in for a little bit of criticism last week but he really rose to the occasion. But he is a Saints product. He understands what grit and determination is.
“I have said all season how proud I was of the team – they have been great – but I was embarrassed at times tonight. I have never seen people lie down and give it up like that.
“Some players had a dig but there are players earning big money who just don’t want to do it. I’m afraid you can earn your big money sat in the stand if you’re not committed to the club and the cause. Reputations don’t mean anything to me. We won a Grand Final with no half backs and no full backs and allsorts – it was through true grit and determination.
“It won’t get easier from here on in, every week it will be tougher and we all have some soul-searching to do.”
Cunningham confirmed that Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook left the field as his wife had gone into labour.
Naturally, the club wish them well.
