I believe that for a successful season there are only 2 must win games for us.

The CC semi and the CC final.

If I was Nobby, I would be using every game between now and the end of August as a dress rehearsal for those two games.

If a good run gives us a decent play off finish then that is purely a side effect.

I have just said on wire forum that they will beat saints, quote me on it. We will therefore not go above wire. I cannot stand their fans either.

Why give up on a competition that is only won later in the season.

Mainly becuase we are too far off anything to make a serious challenge. Secondly because there is not a chance in hell we can win enough games in a row to win it, ever if we do get all the way up to, say, 6th.

Win the next 3 games and we could be up in 5th or 6th or if results went completely our way then maybe a little higher I think. We can still make 5th or 6th and even 4th if we win enough games. If there is a team that can win it from outside the top 2 then it is us.

Who said I've given up.

I said there are only two must win games.

If, by concentrating the players efforts in preparation for the CC we happen to go on a good run, then that is a bonus.

Realistically, we are two inconsistent (particularly in the pack) to get high enough in the table to get a decent crack at the Grand Final. Although I would love to be proven wrong.

However, we have already shown against Saints that in a one off encounter we can match anybody if we are in the right frame of mind. Backs to the wall, Rourke's Drift type of attitude.

We have pretty much the same pack as the last 2 seasons so why can't we go on a run at the end of this year as well.

Run?

We won 2 of our last 5 in 2008.

This time last year we were 4th and we then lost our next 3 games!

Play-offs?

And this time last year we were 5th. We only jumped into 4th because Wire lost their last 2 games.

Firstly, we have to get there.

Secondly, if we do, there is a very good chance that we will be too far dwn the ladder to have aserious chance of getting to the GF.

4 of our last 6 fixtures are away to Saints, Wire, Cas and Hudds. Based on our season to date, that doesn't bode well.

If this seasons anything to go by it will be lose the next two then win at Odsal.

We have to win nearly all of our remaining games to get as high as we can in the table, which is obvious. You would have thought by now the players know the season starts in February! What's the point swanning off abroad for pre-season if they come back and play like a bunch of amateurs the first few ganes of the season. We just put too much pressure on ourselves at this time of the season. We can't rely on other teams messing up like Warrington did last season. It is down the the coaching team and the players from now on.

Just hope our Chairman give them a good telling off after the Celtic game like he did after Huddersfield last season.

Though what chance have we got when players can't get the basics right and give away so many stupid penalties. If I was coach I would fine each player for giving away a needless penalty and a weeks wages if they gave away a penalty on the 5th tackle (this is a sin in my eyes!).

I think we need to start letting our mustaches grow.

Great idea, although I am not sure the likes of Tomkins are old enough

I take that back.

After listening to the Bradford game today that is definitely a winnable game barring how were affected by injury's, looking at the fixtures I think we'll win six of are eight remaining fixtures, where that will place us in the top eight it's hard to say.

Spot on Bridger.

Are you BK in disguise?

No I am BK this is my second username, don't tell the mods

Regardless of Wigan's form during the season, you can virtually guarantee we'll be going up to Headingley for the Final Eliminator

Shush the cat is now out of the bag!

I will have to have a really strong word with myself over this one.

That would be a first.

third time lucky.

The thing about the new playoffs is that the first placed team doesnt just have to play 1 game to get through.
Even though its weighted in their favour they have to play 2 games to your 3 even if you finished 8 unlike previous years where it was 3 games to 1.
Point im getting at is it's easier to have a crack at the final appearance this time and the first place team only get a one week break as opposed to 2 and a dress rehearsal of a game