WE didn't get the start we wanted in our LHF National League campaign with defeat to Swinton on Monday.

I'm still a bit down about that result and the fact it's been a few games since we won. We've just got to keep working at it in training to make sure we get things right.

I still don't think we're that far away - when we click and turn up the heat we cause teams problems, as we did against Swinton at times. When we initiate the game-plan and get into the areas we need to get into, teams will struggle against us.

However, some of the work we do in training is sometimes not transferred onto the pitch as much as I would like.

It's the times when we don't do the right things and come up with mistakes that have cost us. We've conceded tries on the back of errors with the ball and when we break away from the defensive systems we use.

Being on a losing run can get to you a little bit. Barring the Challenge Cup win over Elland, we've won only once this season and that isn't good enough.

However, we haven't got a losing culture at the club - far from it.

We have the confidence to get onto a winning run. We have the ability, we just need to get the consistency over the full 80 minutes.

We've had some close games in that time without playing our best so we know we have what it takes.

I don't think we've got a problem with confidence or anything like that. We have a squad of excellent players and the players know they have the ability.

We are trying to develop and maintain a winning culture at the club. Obviously the best way to do that is by winning games because when you win, confidence grows and that in itself breeds more victories.

THE league season has just begun, however, and there are lots of twists and turns to come.

I doubt any team will go through the season unbeaten. Just ask Leeds Rhinos.

The bookies apparently cut their odds of going undefeated through Super League X to something like 8-1 after their Good Friday win against Bradford Bulls at Odsal. But if anyone ran out and put their mortgage on it, they'd be weeping today.

Leeds' loss at home to Wakefield on Monday shows how big an ask it is. I've said it before, it's a fair effort to go 28 games - or even 18 like in the National League - keeping your focus, fitness and mental sharpness, having all the decisions go the right way and not having the bounce of the ball go the wrong way.

It can be done I suppose but you'd have to be a great squad and have a bit of luck along the way.

LEEDS are still favourites for Super League and I reckon they're favourites for the Challenge Cup too, followed closely by St Helens.

We've seen in Super League that any team on their day can beat any other but at this stage of the competition you've got to go for the more consistent sides.

For that reason I can't see the Cup going outside the big four or five clubs, with Leeds and Saints heading the list and Wigan, Bradford and Hull not far behind. They're more than capable of turning over the top teams.

However, the good thing about the Cup is that it's a one-off competition and it's about what happens on the day.

If you turn up right and perhaps get a bit of luck, you've got a chance.

Updated: 09:41 Wednesday, March 30, 2005