come play off time no-one will want to play leeds or even saints for that matter as both are totally different teams when it really matters

100% correct

Its not impossible but to win 3 massive games, with less than a week turnaround is a big ask

For example you might play Wakefield away, then Hull away, then St's Away just to reach the GF. Then less than a week to prepare for the GF

right us off at your peril

I think you will find Leeds know how to prepare for the Grand Final with a weeks notice they have done it succesfully for the last three years!

exactly now work out how many games you play if you finish in the top 2

I can't see us getting anything out of this game.

We always struggle at Dave's even with a full squad, and with current form given I can't see much joy.

Looking forward too it mind.

I went over last year to the so-called "Big One" when we had a virtually full squad & we were well beaten.
Richards had a field day.
This year with all the injuries & lack of confidence I can only see another loss.
However, despite the loss last year it was the last game we lost all season & we went on to win the GF.
I wish the same could happen this year but somehow I doubt it.
The forecast rain may bring them down to our current level but I doubt that too.
October's a long way off fortunately but this year will be a struggle IMV.
But all teams will go through bad patches.

It was our scrappiest performance of the season so far but, to be fair, we never needed to get out of 2nd gear to post a comfortable win. The intensity was way down on what we've shown in previous games. With the amount of injuries you have right now it's going to be a tough ask to get anything this Friday, as I think you'll see an altogether different level of performance from the Cas game. Having said that, anything is possible. I remember driving to a game against Saints a few seasons ago when we were fielding virtually nothing but kids and some Saints fans winding their window down to say "Saints by at least 20 points!". That was the game where Farrell, bandaged and bloodied, led us almost single-handed to victory! As the saying goes; "anything can happen in sport!"

Have a good trip over.

I do think most teams would be happy with a win away at Castleford, it can be a difficult place to go to.

In the ten minute period in the second half Wigan showed what they are capable of and Castleford were simply blown away by Amos Roberts who is the most dangerous player in Superleague at present.

I think we will struggle next week, the injury list has hit us hard and you never expect any luck at the Piedome but I think there is a little too much hype about this Wigan team, they lost to Bradford and were lucky to beat Wire when Briers went off injured

I agree - well coached, but same squad as last year with a lot of the same weaknesses.

Having said that, I don't think Leeds can turn them over unless Peacock and Sinfield are fit. If they are, it will be a cracking game and I would fancy Leeds to turn them over.

They are playing well and deserve to be getting a little excited, Hull were in a similar position this time last year, for me it will take more than 7 games to convince me of any team, Wigan will have a sticky patch during the season no doubt and that will be the interesting time to see what they are made of.

I agree too. Wigan are the team to beat but with Leeds having a very poor start and Saints not a great start, Wigan are a good media story because of that and not because they have out-and-out GF certs written all over them (although not writing them off at all!) this early in the season. Had Wigan, Leeds and Saints all had the same sort of win record then Wigan would not be the news they currently are.

That all said, they are the form side and I think a Leeds victory is a tough ask given form and injuries.

They had a sticky match against Bradford and I don’t remember a Leeds or Saints team losing a match like Wigan did that day in the last three years.

If Michael Maguire gets the same result as Brian Nobel this season then surely we won’t see a Wigan side lift up the super league trophy until there’s been a complete overhaul in playing staff in all three teams with Wigan featuring the better players.

At the moment they have the third best set of player based on the last three years when it counts.

Speaking of sticky patches, Puig Aubert hasn't posted in a while.

Didn't Saints blow up in a similar fashion at home v Bradford last season?

Yes i believe they did indeed.

Come on Rogues, you know better than to think Damo has a clue.

The big question is whether Lee Smith will come straight back into the team.

Been on the glue; maybe! Has a clue; 'fraid not!

The answer is Yes, providing he is fit. (Which I see no reason why he wouldn't be)

Straight cover for Donald (unless Webb gets injured..)

I think it oversimplifies it a little to just say 'same squad, same weaknesses'. For a start, the squad is [umuch[/u deeper this year with additions from the youth setup. You don't need to 'buy in' to strengthen a squad as you lot over the lump have been telling us for years!

Players like Ainscough and Farrell, Feka, Deacon etc. would/do grace many SL teams but can't get a sniff at ours ATM. Also lads like O'Carroll, Mossop and Tucson are coming in and taking their chances well; in Mossop's case becoming a regular member of the starting 17. Remember, he wasn't even a part of the squad for a large chunk of last season.

In addition, players who were in their first year last time are settled and playing well. A great example of this is Amos. He certainly isn't showing the same weaknesses as last year and seems like a new player!

Apart from which I think a new coach can address many of the weaknesses anyway (which is surely the point iof getting a new coach!) Look at the difference Anderson made to your defensive frailties post Millward or Tony Smith here at Leeds and again at Wire when he took over.

I think it's fair to say we've done OK bringing players through the last few seasons!



Deacon wouldn't "grace" any team!



O'Carroll has been playing for years. Mossop looks a terrific player, but you're down Hock and I wouldn't say he's at that level yet. Haven't seen enough of Tuson to judge, but looks solid.



Roberts is playing very, very well. A real purple patch. Still from the same squad as last year though.



Agreed, I think I alluded to that in my post. Wigan look well coached but it's far too early to credit MM with eradicating the inherent weaknesses of all your players. Think that may be a bit more wishful thinking than reality.

Will be interesting to see how Wigan run for the rest of the year - I still think Saints and Leeds will be the teams to beat come the business end.

Was thinking the same... about Puig, not sticky patches!