note to atomic:
I accept you are favourites for the tie and that, on current form, could match or beat manny SL teams.
However, please file judgement until you have played Warrington, Saints or Huddersfield. A lucky set of draws could keep you away from these but any one could be your downfall.

I'd think that too Leigh and Bradford the CC would be a hindrance this season, no good going on a good cup run and falling short on the promotion side.

I hope to god we put 50 on them and bring them back down to earth, all this faux 'buzz about the place' stuff is cringeworthy. Some of their supporters (not unlike some of our own TBF) really are living in the clouds.

Mike,

Having lived in Leigh for more years than I care to remember, there is definitely more of a 'buzz' (or feeling of optimism, or feelgood factor, call it what you will) than I've experienced for many a year. Obviously the team is doing very well, but I think it's also that the club appears to be, again for the first time in many a year, a genuine family, community club.

I accept that this Salford team looks like it is beginning to fulfil its potential, but no way will you put 50 past this team - they are much to skilful and full of pride to allow that. Don't forget, you are the guys with plenty to lose!

The only thing we've got to lose is the game. That's it.

Maybe it's just me, but the Challenge Cup used to be a real event. Something everyone looked forward to. These days, it's just a distraction. Its pull has certainly waned, although I understand the excitement from supporters of top Championship sides to see where their teams stand against SL opposition. The trouble is, they're just one off games and don't represent the week in week out of SL opposition. So even trying to judge your team against SL opposition in the cup is flawed.

I think the game will not live up to the hype. I think Salford will run out easy winners. Unless we're forced to field an academy squad due to injuries. I think Leigh will do themselves justice, but wont win if Salford field a strong side.

One day we'll get York or Sheffield away. One day...

Best hanging on a few years until either of them have somewhere to play home games.

You assume I'm particularly d about making it to the ground from either city's fine hostelries. In Sheffield's case, scrap the ground and scrap going to Doncaster, it'd just be a day out in the Sheffield Tap.

I'd suggest that losing against a Championship side could have a knock-on effect at a SL club? (How would Marwan rate it?

)

Also, it's not just the excitement of a Challenge Cup tie against a SL club that's gripping our supporters - 7,500 v Bradford (with admittedly a couple of thousand from the Bulls) and 4,500 against London, with admittedly a couple of dozen from the Broncos!

) in the Championship, so far.

Yes, Salford should win, but don't forget that Leigh are a full-time club too, so just won't roll over.

As for whether Hock will play or not, well he hasn't turned out for us so far, and we've done ok.

It wasn't flawed against Leeds last year. Remember what Jamie Peacock said? We were worried there, we were worried.
Leigh are a much stronger and a full time team now. have a care.

With a name like yours Gaz Hocks going to be your bestest ever mate

Can't wait for this one, gonna be a belter

You see, you didn't read the entire post, and if you did you obviously chose to ignore the key part. Either willfully so, or through numbness. I wont cast judgement on which is the case.

One off games against SL opposition is just that. It doesn't matter who they are or where they are positioned in the SL table. Performances can be raised, and morale is much improved as it's seen as a make or break game. A defining moment, possibly. Lower teams do beat SL opposition, but rarely back it up for their next encounter, and never go on to win the whole competition. At least to my memory, correct me if I'm wrong.

Why is that?

It's because lower teams are able to raise their game for one off games, but playing at the same level week in week out is a different proposition. Comparing a valiant run out against Leeds to your next encounter with SL opposition is foolhardy. How much time has passed between the two games?

That is why playing one off games against SL Clubs is a flawed way of judging your own teams progress. The only way Leigh can judge itself is after twelve months in SL.

You talk total codswallop. We have beaten two ex SL clubs 3 times already this season and Wigan in a friendly with a near full strength side. Hardly a one off PAL. So YOU have chosen to be NUMB and ignore these true key factors.

I can recollect a challenge cup game at the Willows a few years ago. Salford were flying in the lower league and brushing everyone aside by huge margins. We played St Helens and were riding high with confidence. Salford started the game like a house on fire and Cliff Beverley scored a long range try and the home support irrupted. From memory we ended up losing the match by about 50 points. It was interesting to note Mcrae's comments after the match (Saints coach at the time) " We knew they would start well but we realised they would drop away because they don't have to play at this intensity every week".

Not suggesting this will happen but it could be a potential warning for any over confident leythers.

Yes. Especially when he's pulverizing through your men in the next round. With all to see on sky sports.

Haha.

So by Ex-Superleague you mean Championship?

and a friendly? Because they're always a good indicator of the season to come eh?

Blimey, Cokey. I thought you'd at least engage me on the same level. You're making this too easy!

OK then, You'll find out how good Leigh are when you visit us in the next round. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED!

That statement is flawed due to inbalance in cap and the fact that the squad of Leigh will be stronger as a result.
The FT advantage will be removed but the rosta of Salford should be better than Leigh's, is Harris a better coach than Rowley? Are Salfords team as closely knit as Leighs ? How much will home advantage play a role ? Who will be more confident? Who has most to lose? Who will have a full squad to choose from? We are a better, fitter and stronger team than last year - should be a great occasion and one not to miss. Hope its a classic

It's been a good indicator so far with regards to the performances of Leigh and Wigan

Why is it a flawed statement?

Is anything I said untrue?

As for being a better side than last year, that's a good thing. You have to remember that the same argument works for Salford to though.

As for your other points, well, home advantage should be a big plus for Leigh, although it does bring its own pressures. Salford will have the pressure of not messing-up against Championship opposition on their minds. As for the ultimate line-up of either squad, it depends heavily on injuries so that's up in the air. I hope both teams manage to field strong squads as it will help provide a better spectacle. Confidence will count for little in one off games.

If you had watched any of Gareth Hock's performances over the last two years you would know it has been a while since he pulverized through anything other than bags of the white stuff.

JGR, let's not stoop to the depths of others - Gaz was one of our best performers when he wasn't banned, let's give him the credit he deserves for that

Good point apart from he's not stooping. Unfortunately JGR is riled. Now that GH is at a proper club where he will be looked after, we'll see the best of him. If all you can do is bring the past up then it shows what kind of club you are. Why did you sign him in first place? Here at Leigh we welcome GH with a clean sheet and a fresh start with a good family culture at the club who will look after him,like the directors,coaching staff and spectators alike.

I'm pretty sure every club that's signed Hock has done so with a "clean sheet", a "fresh start" and promised him the best support possible. Can Leigh break the mould and help him turn himself around? For his personal sake, I hope so, but the jury remains out on it. It's not something I'd be shouting about just yet, anyway.