By Kevin Sinfield Leeds Rhinos star and BBC Sport Online columnist

The doubters are beginning to surface after Monday's home defeat by Widnes.

Both the fans and the local press are certainly starting to question our chances of winning anything this year.

But it is far too early to write us off. There are still more than 20 matches to go and plenty of points to play for.

Sure, it would have been nice to be sitting in second spot in the table but fourth place is hardly a disaster.

I admit, it was disappointing to lose to Widnes at Headingley.

We were expected to win that one and would have backed ourselves to come out on top.

But we failed to take our opportunities and paid the price.

It means our impressive home record is in tatters.

And it is the second time we've been beaten by the Vikings this season following our reverse in South Africa.

But credit to Neil Kelly, his side know how to defend. They scrambled well all game and held on despite some intense pressure.

Now it is up to us to bounce back, starting with a trip to Salford on Sunday.

People will expect us to win that one as well, but it is going to be tough.

You cannot afford to take anyone lightly in Super League VII, as results have already shown.

The so-called 'big five' are certainly not having it all their own way, with Widnes and London both proving that they are capable of cementing a play-off spot.

And the Reds are capable of an upset or two.

Such a scenario can only be good for rugby league in this country.

Standards are improving all the time and it won't be long before all 12 teams are in with a chance of picking up some silverware.