GIVEN the situation Warrington Wolves are in, it is important at this time of year that lessons are learnt and something starts to be built.

An accusation often levelled at this group of players is that when the heat is on and the opposition are dominant, they crack too easily.

It has been said that, despite the insistence from inside that the team are a united bunch, it has rarely been shown on the pitch.

With the side 18 points down at half time and being heckled from three sides of a raucous Headingley, it would have been easy to revert to type after the break, especially with so little left to play for.

However, the fact they did not will surely offer some encouragement going forward.

Warrington Guardian:

Jake Wardle touches down in the second half. Picture by SWPix.com

The pack – so often maligned this year – set an excellent platform, dominating their counterparts and often putting Wire in positions to take advantage.

A big part of those efforts were debutants Adam Holroyd and Luke Thomas, who displayed they are more than ready for first-team rugby league.

Big minutes in the back row from Holroyd and a powerful cameo late on from Thomas – surely they have done enough to merit more opportunities in what’s left of this year and beyond.

There was hard work aplenty and it was evident the players truly were fighting for each other but if there is to be a criticism, it is that their efforts went to waste too often.

With the ball, thinks were clunky and disjointed – perhaps to be expected with yet more changes to the spine, but there was little in the way of attacking shape.

Skipper-for-the-night George Williams was trying almost too hard to make something happen – evidenced by the 39 carries he made alone – but nothing seemed truly connected.

Warrington Guardian:

George Williams assisted two of Wire's three tries. Picture by SWPix.com

That came after a first half in which the old problems of not being able to defend their line for any length of time reared their ugly head.

Wire’s tackle control was found wanting, with two of Leeds’ four first-half tries coming directly as a result of offloads that could have been prevented.

Ultimately, it left them with too much to do in the much-improved second period that followed.

While scepticism about Daryl Powell’s insistence that something special is building at the club will no doubt remain high, performances of a similar ilk in the three games that remain will go a little way to assuring that a group remains that is fully dialled into what he wants to achieve.

Warrington Guardian:

Ben Currie's try. Picture by SWPix.com