THERE are always plenty of ifs and buts in sport.

At Wasps on Sunday, we were left to wonder what if.

We eventually went down 32-17 at the Causeway but we really do feel hard done by. We had Pat Sanderson sin-binned, early in the second half, having fought our way back into the match. We're still puzzled by it.

Referee Sean Davey penalised Pat for handling in the ruck and showed him a straight yellow without any apparent warning. One would have thought it might have been the second offence but instead it was a harsh call. It was especially hard on us because, in the next 10 minutes, Wasps went on to score 17 points as they ruthlessly took advantage of that extra man.

Before that, we'd carved out a brilliant chance when Dale Rasmussen broke through and the line was begging to be crossed when the ball went out to Thomas Lombard. A try then -- after we'd got back to 10-10 -- and we were absolutely in charge. Instead, though, the pass went down and the chance was gone. Then, later on in the match, Paul Sampson's 'try' was disallowed when his foot was adjudged to be in touch. After watching the tape of the match, it's clear that it wasn't. So, it's easy to see why we are wondering what if!

Despite the defeat, though, I think we can take so much out of the match. We had Wasps -- the champions of Europe -- rattled in their back yard. Considering that they have almost limitless pace and power throughout their side, we matched them all the way, defended heroically and opened them up on a number of occasions. As a unit, we have to be happy with that because we got a performance and were close to winning the game.

We, of course, are very much in a results business but on Sunday we performed extremely well and things just didn't go our way. I certainly feel that the score-line flattered Wasps and Warren Gatland, in the post-match press conference, praised our boys for their never-say-die attitude.

It is exactly that mentality which will see us beat Northampton in the final-day fixture. It will all come down to that game at Sixways but that's great for us. You wouldn't want to have to go to the Rec on the last day of the season knowing you have to win to stay up.

We will have home advantage for the game and our crowd can play a big part in our destiny. It is up to the players to perform but the Worcester faithful -- who have been magnificent this season -- can make it a cauldron atmosphere against the Saints.

Much of the talk will undoubtedly be about the Northampton game even this week. However, what helps take the pressure off is our game at Leeds tomorrow. We play the second leg of the European Shield clash at Headingley and it will be a chance for some of the boys to get some rugby under their belts. People such as Duncan Roke, Jon Hylton and Dylan Hartley haven't played much this season but they've got a big stage -- a European semi-final -- to show what they are capable of.

We're happy to be going to Leeds because it does break up this period now before the Saints game. Obviously our main focus, as always, is the Premiership but this match will be good to concentrate on this week. The relegation battle will all be a little clearer after next Tuesday when Quins travel to Headingley for a massive match.

What we know for certain, however, is that if we beat Northampton then we will stay up. That's all you can ask for because we have control over our own destiny and have home advantage. I think a number of clubs would happily swap places but let's be absolutely clear -- nobody is resting on their laurels at Sixways.

Everybody is determined to keep us in the top flight and we will scrap until the very last whistle to achieve that.