There seems to be alot of mixed messages from fans in terms of how important it is that we win Sunday's match against Catalan.

Many I have spoke to seem to expect defeat in light of the Easter Monday debacle. I'm slightly more optimistic than that - acknowledging that it will be ferociously tough, but I know we are more than capable of putting the Dragons to the sword.

Obvious benefits of a win would be a feel good factor of another Semi-Final, and the pride of ending a formidable run of home wins for the Dragons.

But if defeated, would it be a catastophic thing or perhaps slightly benefical. We have learnt the hard way in recent years that our efforts in the Cup have left us limping over the SL Finish line, and imploding in the playoffs. Would a clear focus on the Grand Final be beneficial?

Or would a Cup defeat be a clear message that we seriously need to up our game this season to have an aspiration of success at Old Trafford?

Anyway - a very important game IMO. Let's get it won.

It's important because it's one of only two trophies there are to win. I do agree with you though that a defeat for you would be beneficial to your Grand Final chances, particularly if the other big guns get to the Final.

I think you will win the game though. It's been pretty obvious watching Warrington that Smith has finally got them round to the mindset of winning enough games to be in a good position come the end of the season whilst not expending too much energy doing it.

We thought the same scenario would benefit us last year, we lost to Wigan in the quarter finals of the cup and 2 of the big teams went on to contest the final.

Personally i think we were stronger last year as well, Louis Anderson is certainly missed in the middle as well as Matt King on the fringes, remember we also lost Jon Clarke and he hasn't been replaced with like for like.

It obviously had an effect on Leeds playing in the CC final, they looked burnt out in the playoffs.

victory would be great as we could look forward to another semi final..defeat would not be disastrous as we would get a weeks rest and more time to get our wounded players back and freshen up the limbs of the rest of squad...

Very important.
If we win the Season starts here.
Speaking of players having rests.
Rather than the full team missing the semis.
Prefer to see Hodgson & Monaghan M missing out on the Exiles.

I really don't see how playing 2 more games will really effect our season. Let's get it won, I'd love a nice semi final and maybe even a trip to Wembley. Come on the wire, we can do it.

We have to win. I can't bear the thought of the deathriders like Wire71 dusting off their login details and proclaiming the end is nigh if we get beat.

That was so 2009 and pre Tony Smith. I'm actually optimistic now we have a decent coach finally. But I do believe last year was our best chance to win the SL title but that's not to say we cannot win it this season. I also believe we can win on Sunday.

Louis Anderson is a good example of how fickle Wire fans are. He was getting all sorts of stick on here last year for going off the boil, not trying after sealing his move, being lazy etc. Now we've got people saying we are really missing him!

Agree with all the positive posters on here. A win against Catalan, especially away, will surely spur the whole squad on to greater things, a bit of form in all comps. Although handily placed we havent really hit the heights....yet.

An unwanted defeat though wont see our season implode, we are more professional these days.

Let's give our best shot one week at a time

Not from me, i posted that he's a class act, also i praised him numerous times for his performances since he joined us.

Louis Anderson was certainly a big game player for us, he stood up to be counted many a time in a lot of important games, yeh he had off games like a lot of players do but when the going got tough in the big games he never went into hiding and scored some important tries.

Jon Clarke didn't need replacing Rob? he had a good career but should of gone 2 or 3 years earlier

Agree with you there, he hasn't been a big loss to the team in fact we're better off now with Higham and Dwyer as replacement hookers.

No doubt the importance of today's match, our biggest of the season so far. Now the Wire!

its a big pointer for our season.
the result may not matter but the performance will.

if we get mullered again then I cant help but think we couldnt have been better prepared and were still way off the mark.......

its a massive game......

Anyone who dismisses this game wants they head testing.A semi final is at stake..

Dureau starting for Catalans.

COME ON THE WIRE