WE thought days like this had been left far behind.

However, the sight of the Warrington Wolves players stood helpless and dejected behind their own posts at the end of a devastating burst brought us all depressing flashbacks.

While not for one minute wishing to suggest another summer of struggle is on its way, there were things within this performance that may worry Sam Burgess a lot more than what he saw at Wembley six days previous.

This night was supposed to be about a response having failed to fire against Wigan and with the only other side Burgess’ boys are yet to beat this season forming the opposition in Salford, there was surely no more motivation needed.

And they had actually started the game as though that was the case, forcing Salford onto the back foot in the early exchanges, but the visitors’ willingness to take risks cracked the game open.

As he looked set to be dragged in-goal by a keen Wire chase, Chris Hankinson tried a risky offload that paid off and got his side out of danger. Two plays later, Nene Macdonald was waltzing between the Warrington posts.

Another two breakaway tries followed with Wire cracked first on a right edge that lacked the defensive precision it has shown in recent weeks and then through the middle by some second-phase play, and Salford were over the hill and far away.

This is not what we have become used to seeing from the class of 2024 but for the third week in a row, they have conceded multiple tries in short bursts.

Although three tries in 12 minutes were conceded by a much-changed Wire side in the Super League clash with Wigan, they let in two in four minutes at Wembley and three in 18 here with as strong a side as they could name on the field.

That lack of durability is uncharacteristic of this year’s team but was a telling trait of last year’s and in terms of personnel at least, the squads are similar – 10 on Friday’s 17 were named for the capitulation at Wakefield that ended Daryl Powell’s tenure, a figure that would have been boosted if dead-cert picks George Williams, Josh Thewlis and Joe Philbin had been fit.

Is it any wonder, then, that certain people are starting to question whether things really have changed?

It is surely too early to draw that conclusion, but the dye is clearly cast for some and it is up to the players to prove those skeletons have been banished from the closet.

There was a response of sorts after the break but as with the Challenge Cup Final, Warrington left themselves with too much to do – and another potential issue for the longer-term was uncovered.

With Williams missing, their attack was flat and too easy for the Salford defence to deal with, even if there was a brief few minutes in which thoughts of a fightback were entertained.

After two quickfire tries, Danny Walker thought he had kicked a 40-20 to set Wire up for the possibility of a third, which really would have put the cat amongst the pigeons.

When asked for final sign-off, however, video referee James Vella uncovered Walker had stepped fractionally outside the 40-metre line before connecting with the ball – Salford ball and with the aid of a softly-conceded penalty, Wire were back on their own line and Deon Cross put the game firmly to bed.

That try was the result of another pinpoint Marc Sneyd kick – a high point of another masterful display from the Salford number seven.

When he puts boot to ball, it invariably goes where it should and either creates a chance or gets his side into the right areas of the field.

Even with Williams in the side, do Warrington have someone who can put the opposition into places they don’t like from range?

In fairness, nobody in the competition other than Salford with Sneyd and Wigan with Harry Smith can lay claim to having such a weapon, but the fact Wire have faced that type of number seven three times in a row lays it bare.

And so, we find ourselves firmly ensconced within the most difficult period of the Burgess era to date.

The waters were always going to get choppy at some stage, but how they are navigated will define this season.

If they are to stay in the top four, they need to get things back under control quickly in these next three games either side of the international break.

The trip to an improving Hull FC side will not be the points difference-boosting stroll many think it will be but like the home games against Huddersfield and Leeds to follow it, it is one a team with designs on a high finish should be looking to win.

Put simply, Wire need to get their act together before any kind of rot sets in.