Leeds luck set to change

By Paul Sculthorpe St Helens and Lions star

Friday's visit to Headingley is the perfect chance for us to get our season back on track.

Leeds are not playing at their best at the moment but they are still sneaking wins.

They are getting a lot of luck and the bounce of the ball seems to have favoured them in recent games.

I don't know how many matches they have won by one or two points this season.

But that good fortune has to come to an end sometime and hopefully it will be Friday.

A result on Friday is obviously important, but it is crucial that we put in a good performance

Leeds are top of the league and if we can come up with a win it would be a big confidence booster and something to kick on from.

We desperately need to start picking points up - we have said it before but now we really need to start doing it or we'll find ourselves too far off the play-offs.

Despite our recent disastrous displays, the atmosphere around the club is good and spirits have remained high.

The players know what we have to do and that has been reflected in training this week.

All Leeds' best moves go through Kevin Sinfield

We have done a few things differently and worked on a couple of new ideas, now it's a case of putting that into practice.

Leeds have obviously started the season fantastically and many people seem to be surprised that they are topping the Super League table.

I think it is unfair to call Leeds 'surprise leaders' every time they are mentioned though.

Daryl Powell made some clever signings in pre-season - players like Gary Connolly and Dave Furner brought in lots of experience and have improved an already very good side.

They have given the other players a boost and seem to have lifted the performances of their team-mates.

Mark Calderwood on the wing has also had a great season, as has Kevin Sinfield.

All Leeds' best play goes through Kevin and they have scored a lot of tries off his kicking.

He is a big-match player so we will have to pay close attention to him on Friday, but it is impossible to focus on individuals in the Leeds side because they can hurt you all over the field.

A result on Friday is obviously important, but it is crucial that we put in a good performance.

If we play well and we lose then you can accept that - it is when you lose and know you can play better that is really frustrating.

So it is essential that we start stringing consistent performances together - the way we are playing, we are our own worst enemy.