SAINTS completed a three-week run of seeing off their fellow top-four sides with Friday’s derby win over Wigan.

It once again underlined that the crop of 2019 is different this year – not just in performances but in attitude, control and not panicking when up against it.

That has stood it in good stead with the big knockout games to come.

Coach Justin Holbrook said much of it stems from a collective effort - an aggressive pack with the brains trust orchestrating things off the back of it.

Holbrook said: “We are better side than last year.

“We are a lot calmer, more patient and composed – and yet we are as aggressive as we have ever been.

“We are just doing things at the right time in the right areas of games.

“It comes back to guys like Jonny, Theo and Cootey – and we are obviously a much better side when Robes plays.

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“Collectively we have made a real effort right since pre-season. We have worked on that part of our game with every individual and collectively, making sure that we stick to what we are good and stay focused for 80 minutes.”

It has stood them in good stead, building a 10-point cushion in Super League with seven rounds to go. But the cups are the target.