REFLECTING on a disappointing start to the season, it is easy to feel deflated.

After all, the salient facts are Warrington Wolves – not for the first time – were undone by a side that played a significant portion of the game with 12 men.

While this performance was nowhere near as dramatically dreadful as when they faced a similar "advantage" against Wigan Warriors in last year’s Challenge Cup, some aspects were painfully familiar.

Barring a few exceptions, this is largely the same squad – 10 of the 17 that turned out that day did so in Perpignan – and they again found themselves with no answer to a side who were forced to simplify their game plan while with the ball, they went chasing points rather than keeping the faith that they would come naturally by building pressure.

Why has it happened again? What is causing it – technical issues or ones of the mind?

If Sam Burgess is to be a success as Warrington head coach, being able to drill down into that and fix it will be a huge part of it and while progress has been made in areas, this was a reminder of the work that needs to be done.

It was never going to happen overnight and patience will be needed, but the size of the task is clear.

While basic errors were the biggest part of their downfall on that painful day at the DW Stadium, on this occasion it was discipline – Catalans were allowed to escape any pressure all too easily by the concession of penalties, often brought about by frantic attempts to gain some semblance of control over the ruck.

They had that in the opening exchanges – a period when the best signs certainly came.

Forced to defend their own line for long periods, they did so excellently and when they got the chance to build some pressure, it yielded a superb debut try for 17-year-old Arron Lindop.

Despite being put under constant pressure by Jordan Abdull’s high bombs – one of which yielded the try that snatched the half-time lead for the hosts after he and Matt Dufty left a kick for each other – the teenager can be happy with how he handled himself and despite the result, he has a memory nobody can take away.

Could Dufty have taken command of that situation as a more senior player? Perhaps, but either way it was a soft try to deny Wire what would have been a well-earned half-time lead.

In order to move forward, they must find a way to take what they showed in that first half and extend it into an 80-minute display. If they do, results will take care of themselves.

So while there is plenty still to work on, it is far from all doom and gloom.