SAINTS take on relegation-battling Huddersfield Giants on Friday night looking to complete their regular home Super League programme with an unblemished record for the first time since 2002.

But what matters most to coach Justin Holbrook is keeping the team ticking over and getting the performances right for knockout football at the end of the month.

They picked themselves up from the Wembley defeat with a gritty win against Castleford on Friday - a prelude to them collecting the League Leaders’ Shield.

But Holbrook’s eyes are on the big trophy at the end of the year as Saints seek to do themselves justice for the year they have had.

He said: “It is not about the points, it is about the performance and we have been consistent all year and there is no reason why I want to change that now.

“In these games we have the luxury of getting those boys (who have missed) some games for match fitness leading into the finals series, so it is important for us to keep playing.”

Saints know they have a week off ahead of the play-offs and have had their semi-final confirmed for Friday, September 27.

It is now about building for those huge games, where league form goes out of the window.

“Three or four sides are capable of doing it on the night.

“We have been able to do it every week, but other sides can get up for big days and we have to match that.

“If we do, then we deserve to win it and hold the trophy and everyone is happy.

“It means so much to everybody and that is what I love about the responsibility of coaching in this town.

"Players and coaches are no different to fans and we all hurting the same amount.

"I don’t for one one second think that after the cup defeat I am hurting more than the die-hard fans who travel home and away every week.

"They want nothing more than for us to lift the trophy, but that is what we want too.

“We wanted to win the Challenge Cup – but it does not sit above Super League.

“The Grand Final is the last game of the year and that is why – that is what you are playing for.

“I am not trying to downplay the Cup – but that is a comp within the comp, Super League is the comp.

“We have got the League Leaders and are proud of it, but we want to be holding the trophy at Old Trafford and have to play well to do that,” he said.