Playing Warrington the week before the final and Leeds the week after the final could really help us, gives us a rest while Warrington will probably be resting players or minds elsewhere, Leeds could be shattered after a brutal final.

Dont understand wy the Challenge cup final is so near the playoffs it should be early August.

its the best we could have hoped for, but its vital that we beat Crusaders.

Which aint going to be easy.

It's the Bank Holiday weekend.

Fourth by default then just like Rovers last season !

I'm sorry, have we beaten Wire and Leeds already!

Warrington may find themselves in a battle with Saints for 2nd spot, which ensures home advantage in the play-offs...so no easy rides there...

Leeds hopefully may have a hangover, however again Leeds will not roll over..

Both very difficult games...we will win them though imo

Both will still be very difficult games. Yes its in our favour for them both to be playing in the CC final but I dont think it will be THE deciding factor in the outcome of the games. We will still need to play very well to beat either team.

I reckon we'll lose both games; regardless of their Challenge Cup Hangover/Expectation.

If we win either game it will be because they are in the challenge cup final,if we lose we will get slaughtered by the fans /media,

we carnt do right for doing wrong springs to mind

It all evens out. I chose Rovers as an example as I assume you're a Rovers fan.

Hull KR played Leeds after they had played 2 massive games against Wire and St Helens in the past 2 weeks and Leeds were quite clearly burnt out. Rovers are also one of only a few teams to play an understrength Wire, who have had outstanding luck with injuries this year, but in the game they played their two most important players (Briers and Monaghan) were out and IIRC one of their props (Morley or Carvell) was injured early.

Quite.

And in any case we should all be focussed on beating Crusaders, never mind anyone else.

I agree it all averages out over a season and I'm sure neither wire or Leeds will just roll over. The game before the cc final is always a dodgy one with the counter view being that players will be playing for a final place, the only advantage being that anyone who is 50/50 will not be risked.
The game after the cc will see you playing a team that will either be on a high from winning or have a point to prove after losing. Personally think you'll beat Leeds but lose to wire.

one game at a time, as you and PaulM are saying, let other people worry about their games.

Absolutely, they are full of confidence and have beaten us once already this season.

Good luck.
hope you make 4th so we can play you instead of leeds

Thanks...we are hoping to met you guys as well

It just might be third time luck for us if it was to happen

For me thses two games should be the acid test for Agars coaching skills if he can pull two wins from these games it should set us up nicely for the 'business end' of the season.

No more excuses from Agar or the players.

I doubt either team will be quaking in their boots at the prospect of playing us. Warrington won't want to go into the final on the back of a loss and Leeds will want that 4th spot and the treble over us.

Why would the media or any sensible fan 'slaughter' the team for losing to the triple Super League champions and the team that are sitting 2nd on the league ladder. Oh and are both going to Wembley this year

This match against the Crusaders is absolutely pivotal to any sucess we will have in the play offs, not because of end of season position but mentally we need to give them a good hiding because it has remained a thorn in the side of many of the lads since that day in wrexham, i can assure you this weekend will be a totally different match for the crusaders to be a part of... painful springs to mind as much of the sledging has stuck in the minds of ogre etc , and some that was said after the match too!!
if we win, which wont be easy mind then i would expect a decent run against leeds and wire, if we struggle or loose... oh i dont even want to think about that !!
Old Trafford here we come

What's with all this IF business.......WHEN!!

Id take just winning one of the Leeds Wire games and I should expect hull to beat crusaders but nothings a certainty these days