You pop up every couple of weeks to try and put a downer on the club. I've tried to understand why, but I'm really at a loss. Has BM got some photos?

Yes I think they did - they were huge underdogs on the day - the result of that final like the one against Hull KR was not a huge shock.

Wih regards to Cas, my mind goes back to Warrington in 2011. They just strolled past teams most weeks and they hadn't had a close contest in the 7/8 weeks prior to that playoff SF vs us at the HJ. When that close tight contest came they were undone by a team that had been scraping in close games most of the year. Big comfortable wins are great but whether it be a semi or a final if they get there they will eventually end up in a game that's tight and goes down to the death. There away form suggests they can't as easily replicate what they do at home to other pitches which are presumably bigger than the Jungle.

Yeah it's not like Hull are the CURRENT cup holders or anything.

no they didn't. they were totally overawed. it was a comfortable win.

Absolutely.

I think the CC is starting to present our best chance of silverware this year TBH. I'm still to be sold on Cas, excellent team and brand of rugby but Semis and finals are different kettle of fish to regular season games at wheldon road.

I agree. I think the cup is very winnable for us this year.

Yes, that's an obvious statement. You've got to the semi final with 3 home byes in theory. "The cup is very winnable for us this season"... as we only need to beat 2 full time teams. Tomorrow is Monday too.

Finally Leeds get to play a team only one division below them.

Hard to imagine there has ever been an easier path to a Challenge Cup semi-final.

No disrespect intended to Doncaster, Barrow and Featherstone.

who cares?
should we get there, we wouldnt even be the only team in the last decade to get to the semi-finals having beaten one 2nd division team and two 3rd division teams

thats the luck of the draw, a draw that's not been kind for a few seasons now.
with the exception of wakey I think all the other 7 teams have a very good chance.

I wouldn't say the cup is 'very winnable ' - the draw gives us a chance but we haven't shown good form against a top team in a must win match (for both teams) since the 2015 GF.

I disagree - it all about opinions I suppose.

Leeds were massive favourites on the day and the result demonstrated why.

Are we talking about now the current side or are we talking about last year's side?

Leeds have been the most successful side of the SL era what relevance does that have to what is happening now?

Leeds won the CC in 2014/15 did that make them a good cup side in 2016?

It’s about time we had a steady draw and route (hopefully) to Wembley. In 27 games between 2010 and 2016 we’ve played 3 times vs non-SL opposition,
2010 v Blackpool, reached final and lost to Wire,
2012 v Leigh, reached final and lost to Wire,
2014 v Leigh, reached final and beat Cas,

2011 all SL opposition, reached final and lost,
2013 all SL oppo,
2015 all SL oppo, reached final and won,
2016 SL oppo,

2017 CC has been quite refreshing so far.

It's virtually the same side.



So we reached 5 of the previous 6 finals and one early round loss and we aren't a good cup side anymore?

I'd suggest having a good recent history of progressing in the cup is the best evidence of a side being a cup side. Hull have reached 2 of the last 4 finals. On what basis have you decided they aren't a good cup side but are a good GF team?

To me Hull look like a tough no nonsense grind it out type of side e.g. Wigan which I would suggest makes them more suited to a longer campaign IMO. Cas on the other hand have the ability to blow anyone away on their day but maybe not the consistency to grind out a whole season. If Cas go behind they know they have the potential to do something spectacular to change things I am not sure Hull have that in their locker.

Leeds have reached two of the last 4 CC finals does that make them a good cup side? in 2013 and 2016 they went out at the first hurdle so what does that say - if they get passed the first game they reach the final? hopefully.

one week ago

widnes 22 hull fc 4 at half time

widnes 22 hull fc 33 at full time

Oh look, Sal's trying to put a negative spin on things again... and making himself look a bit daft, again.

Your description of Hull is fairly accurate, but how is that not suited to a cup campaign? Ain't about how you win, you just need to win. Cas could've beaten Saints by a single point, they'd have still been through and playing Hull away the next round. Hull ground out your wins vs Wigan and Wire to win the cup last year, didn't have to put 50 points past them. You even point out that that Cas might not have the consistancy to do it all year, in the cup you don't get a 2nd chance.



Any examples of this though? At home they've always been in front. Away from home they couldn't come back vs Salford or Saints. Away to Hull (who they face in the cup) they were 18-0 down but then had a man advantage for 60 mins and they didn't come back and win......so maybe we don't know they can do something spectacular if they fall behind.

Our game is on Friday on Sky.

Salford vs Wakey is the Thursday game. We're scheduled to play Wakey away the Sunday before so expect them to want to move that game forward 24/48 hours.

Wire/Wigan - Saturday. Hull/Cas - Sunday.

In the cup you need to be rise to a different level - Leeds did it against Wigan at Huddersfield, Warrington in 2015 and Saints 2016 I just don't see Hull being that kind of side. I don't Hull having a mare like Leeds did in several finals either. I see Cas being that kind of side that if they are really on it no current SL can play at their level. Can they come from behind who knows and you could be correct their style of play isn't suited to risk free grind.

The asylum has let another inmate out!!

I thought this was the asylum!!