GREAT performance but for that 10-minute siesta! That was the assessment of Saints' boss Shaun McRae as he reflected on the Challenge Cup win at Salford.

WHITTLE: Eight superb tries for , but six against, which meant little improvement in the thorny issue of defence. That was the main grouse of fans who were otherwise quite satisfied. What were your views?

McRAE: Saints' first-half show both in attack and defence was the best I have seen for a long time, with Salford never threatening to break our line, except when a slice of luck after Mark Lee had kicked ahead enabled them to score.

But following an early second-half blast I am afraid that Saints sunk into a big sleep, and although I never believed Salford were going to win, I was not best pleased that they scored four tries in succession when our tackling went to pot.

To be honest I think Saints' thought they were in total control and lost intensity during this 10-minute spurt by the Red Devils, and I hope the scare factor from this has been thoroughly digested in time for the semi-final.

Injuries to Simon Booth and Joey Hayes meant that we had exhausted our substitutes by half-time, which is placing a great strain on the team, and I think that swopping and changing the number of replacements is ludicrous and consistency is called for, which is a view shared by Steve Simms and Dean Bell.

Although I am not one for singling out any player in particular - including man-of-the match Bobbie Goulding - who could fail to notice the quite remarkable performances of props Apollo Perelini and 18-year-old Andy Leathem.

For me the big Samoan is among the best forwards in the world, while the tough Salford pack held no fears for Andy, who has taken his chance well in the absence of Ian Pickavance and Adam Fogerty and, despite his youth, looks to have come to stay. WHITTLE: Some areas of the weekend media said that you were openly critical of Bobbie Goulding after the game. Is there any truth in this?

McRAE: I was asked for my impressions at the post-match press conference and said that I was not pleased by the departure from our game plan when Salford enjoyed their scoring burst. While I accept full responsibility for off-the-field team matters, Bobbie is in charge on the park and to that extent I was annoyed that instructions were not carried out to the letter. Never at any time did I criticise Goulding's personal display, which was magnificent, and for me it was very much a case of misrepresentation and it is nonsense to talk of a feud between the captain and myself.

WHITTLE: A number of Saints' players followed the example of Wigan in having what appeared to be sticking plaster across their noses at The Willows. Can you elaborate?

McRAE: It is brand-named 'Breathe Easy,' and is used by American footballers to allow more oxygen to flow through the nasal passages. Saints now use them on a voluntary basis and obviously I am in favour if wearing the nose-band improves performance.

WHITTLE: Are you confident about the prospect of facing Widnes in a Cup semi-final for the third time in seven years?

McRAE: Yes, but only quietly so because I have a great respect for both the Chemics' coach, Doug Laughton, and players such as the Hulme brothers, Darren Wright, Stuart Spruce and John Devereux, who were at Naughton Park when I was there in 1992.

But the game is certainly no foregone conclusion, and my message to Saints' players and fans is simply let's talk about Wembley if we are at the right end of the scoreline when the final hooter sounds at Wigan.

WHITTLE: With that game in mind what is the up-to-date injury report?

McRAE: Simon Booth (eye damage) should be ready but Joey Hayes (recurring hamstring trouble) is doubtful and in that event Danny Arnold would be back in the reckoning, while Alan Hunte could make a surprise return if he is cleared by the specialist next Tuesday. Tommy Martyn (knee surgery) should be ready for the Super League, along with Adam Fogerty (cartilage operation) and Dean Busby (medial ligament tear).

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