No reason why we can't go all the way in either competition. We should have no problem in getting in the top 8. All it takes then is a bit of form. We have come very close to beating Leeds and Stains already this season.

We just need to get a little run going and we will be ok as we should take points from the teams around us. It is still early days for a play off spot. I would rather we hit form come the later part of the season. As long as were still in with a chance.

I think we can pretty much write this season off to be honest.
I can't see us making the 8 at this rate.

There's no way we can write the season off..Season ticket sales were down this season..

The club won't want another drop in sales for next season..

Im sure the club dont want it. The supporters certainly don't but where is this sudden creativity going to come from that's going to get us on the sort of run we need?

To me it looks like Smith has focused his attention on our biggest weakness, our defence. He has done a pretty good job of imporving that, and our attack is suffering slightly at the moment becasue of this, but I have no doubt that we have some good attacking players in the squad.

Riley/Mathers will return kicks much better than Hicks, Johnson will be more dangerous at centre, Anderson will make fewer mistakes than Harrison, Briers will improve the all round creativity, and Bridge will only get better.

We can attack, but the fact our defence is getting better should be the thing that gives us hope.

Even though we can't just write this season off, we have to be honest with ourselves, and admit that apart from the 2 promoted sides, we are the worst team in the league, so I don't really get all this optimistic top 8 talk.

Yes, on paper we don't look that bad a team, but its becoming increasingly obvious that performances like today's are the norm and not just a bit of a blip.

I think even Smith would admit that this present bunch aren't going to acheive much this term.....I reckon he's going to give the Cup a really serious shot, and then after that the main focus is getting set up for an improved 2010 campaign.

Let's get real.

From the position we're in at the moment, the best we can hope for is an easy run through to the CC Semi's and then hope we can raise our game, avoid Saints and get a day out at Wembley.

We'll be very lucky to reach the top 8 and need to give Smith time to mould a squad for next year.

To be honest I'd rather not be in the top 8 this season, we don't deserve it so far and it would only end in more disappointment.

I'm waiting for next season already.

If we got to wembley then i'd be satisfied.

He apologised for that and ever since then he has been one of our better performers, so I don't think his attitude is wrong.

Some of the British based players need reminding that this may be their last chance of top grade SL rugby. The others who think they can just pick up where they left off in the NRL should just be sent packing now.

Realistically who would be interested in some of our squad members?

[uThis Season[/u


.........write it off

it's a transitional season.

If they'd sacked Cullen with a viable replacement then it wouldn't have been so bad but alas we didn't

WTID

Agreed. He hasnt been sensational but theres been a definite improvement in attitude from him.

Can't see us achieving a consistent run this season, win one or two then lose a few. Best to hope for IMO is a good Cup run, maybe a semi hopefully the final but as far as play offs forget it even if we scrape 7 or 8 we will probably be beaten at the first hurdle.

Normaly I would say the Grand Final is the big one to go for but with our form this season a CC appearance would be the highlight, similar to Hull last year.

I have faith in Smith to bring in the right players and turn our fortunes around but this season is turning out to be another poor effort unfortunately

only see a cup final if we keep drawing the weakest of whoever is left
Feathers was a good draw in that respect

Can't believe we are writing this season off. It is like we all thought we were Challengers to Saints and Leeds from day one and all of a sudden our world has collapsed.

We were never catching up with Saints and Leeds but neither are we getting further away. There are 10 teams who have a similar chance of making to the play offs and then making a fight of it in the play offs.

You only have to look at the challenge cup finalists over the last few years. Catalans, Hudds, Hull. Some of their form was shocking but still managed to get to a final. Wigan have had some really poor results (Hudds at home last year) but still took some stopping in the play offs.

You never know what will happen in this league, For example Saints could be without a number 6 for the rest of the season in a couple of weeks, a suspension and a couple of injuries to key players and they could be a little weaker. (Dont get me wrong I know they would still beat us)

We have been pretty lucky with injuries so far (Touch wood) and if we can keep healthy and keep gradually improving there is no reason to throw in the towel just yet.

We only half a backline

Well said. Couldn't agree more.

i'd take the wooden spoon if we got to Wembley and won

I think you'll find there are plenty of reasons why we won't win the GF - you only had to be at Salford to see that.


We always come close to beating Saints, but we never do, and that won't change this year so that means we won't win the cup, but we could make the final.

In the light of that, then surely Monday is a must win match? At least it will show the players have some balls and heart after Friday.

I'd call it a should win match. I can't believe that the hangover from the Cullen/Lowes regimes is such that our current playing staff has regressed to such an extent that beating Castleford at home is deemed unlikely.

We didn't last year, they did the double over us albeit we did win the first encounter at their place.

Biggest load of rubbish ive ever heard. You know nothing about rugby. Have you ever seen Mathers play? Last seasons at Wigan vs Wakefield, Mathers returned a kick and he beat the first man and me and my uncle jumped up ironically cause he managed to beat a man. 15 seconds later he seen the red card for use of the elbow on the next defender. That was one of his best returns of the season.

To anyknowledgable Wire fans, I seriously hope Richie does good for you(except against us

) He's got a great attitude but just couldnt cut it on the field. Im sure a change of scenary and playing under a coach who will believe in him he'll do just fine. But saying he'll come in and immediatly improve your kick returns is stupid.