I think our fixtures have been quite skewed this season. Up until the end of June, we'd only played 4 "big" games (Wire Home, Leeds Away, Sts Home and Leeds Magic) and got 2 wins, a draw and a defeat. We'd not really struggled in the cup, so until that Wire away game hadn't really tested ourselves against the top teams (I know we played Hudds away at the start of the season too, but I discounted that as we didn't expect Hudds to hold on as well as they have done to top spot).

From now until the end of the season there are no more 'gimmie' games. Hudds, a gruelling trip to France, Hull twice on the spin and Leeds potentially times on the spin, plus hopefully a grand final as well, possibly against Wire.

Yes, our form has taken a hit recently, but if it means our players are fresh for the toughest end of season we've seen probably since the 'mission impossible' season, then Wane and his coaching staff will certainly have earned their crust.

I'm not sure they'd agree with that in Huddersfield.

the problem has been in the backs. it has not mattered what set of forwards we have had out on the pitch (apart from Leeds game at Headingly) we have dominated or had parity. Smith and Green since coming back from injury simply have not gelled like they did at the start of the season. don't know why but I have never seen as many passes go behind players when smith or green have been distributing. timing seems to be off and they have had plenty of time since coming back from injury to put it right.

The message wouldn't be "If you don't win the cup, you get sacked" it would be, "If you lose every knockout game against top sides*, you won't have your contract renewed."
Again, no disrespect to Hull FC, but if you had said to me at the start of the year we would play Leigh, Hull KR, Widnes, London and Hull FC as our cup games, and that none of those teams would be much better than they were in 2012, I wouldn't be happy with anything but a challenge cup. I wonder what Noble would have given for those draws! I'm willing to give Wane the benefit of the doubt after getting beat by Leeds in both semis last year, but then losing to Hull FC in the cup final would be too much IMO. As for the play offs, I had assumed Wane wouldn't wait around till the season ends.

*ok he beat Saints in the cup last year, that does give me a glimmer of hope

Have you got hiccups?

I think it could go either way, I'm just saying he's got a golden opportunity to win the cup after disappointing at the crunch end of both comps last year, if he doesn't take it, it starts to look like a trend that we can't get the job done when it counts