Hiya Lee.

O'Loughlin played in the '03 Super League final and the '04 CC final too, a stage hardly any wire players have got too (cba checking if any have played a challenge cup final, maybe Morley)

edit: forgot about Johnson, with us in '02

Apart from the Warringtons props, Monaghan and Lee Briers are the danger men for me. Briers for his kicking game and drop goals. Let's hope Briers mouths off to Ganson one too many times and gets binned!

Both teams are quite evenly matched and on paper it should be a good game, with a lot of key battles across the pitch. However matches aren't won on paper (as Wigan know too well this season).

The key men could well be the coaches of the teams.

Wigan to win by 6-10 points.

For me starting Feka is a good idea, we need to get on top of their props from the off, they will most likely start Morley and Carvell to try and get on top of us.

If they get a roll on early on by walking over Preccy and Coley then we could be in serious trouble come the end of the first quarter.

IMO our centres and wings are ahead of their centres and wings, we will just have to see how Mr Briers copes with a big game, he could sink or swim for me

King is dangerous close to the line, I'd be watching that closly, he is excellent at getting low and powering over.

Warrington are most definatly not a team to be underestimated, the key battle will be in the middle of the park, Riddell, nows the time to shine. Make some happy Wiganers for us.

I can't see 2 runs tiring them out to be honest, although I totally agree with your point. I think our pack is much stronger than yours and if we still have Moz and Carvell to bring on with 15 to go in a close game then it may swing it our way. I don't think it will come to that though in fairness as you are playing the better rugby at the moment and full of confidence and the lad Tomkins as well as being hard to look at it proving difficult to stop.

Westwood has playoff experience ans also played in the last semi

Briers has played in 2 or 3 semi's and playoffs

Carvell has SL GF and CC final experience

Further on from that:

Hicks: NRL GF
Mona's NRL GF
Morley: NRL GF, SL GF
King NRL GF, SOO
Rau: NRL GF
Mathers: SL GF, WCC

Thats just off the top of my head.

Its plain and simple really, its all about who wins the forward battle!

Although leauge positions says we are the better team (not a dig before you start) I think the back lines are pretty even.

If we control the front row, we should be favorites to win, however controling the front row is where we are shocking.

It will either be game of the year, or a walking day as both teams have the capacity to monumentally balls it right up!

Totally agree, squeaky bum time now.

We need to play Warrington at their end of the park. Sounds obvious, but it's not always easy to pull off. However, this was the plan at Murrayfield and it worked a treat.

A good kicking game - constantly pushing them back to their own line, good discipline and respect for possession will pay huge dividends. This is the way you neutralise a bigger opposition pack, by giving them eighty yards to make every time they get the ball.

We can't afford to rely on line defence. It didn't work last Friday and it won't work this Saturday.

We need to get on top of Carvell & Morley, that is true. But I think it could also come down too how we handle Briers & Monaghan, if we cut down their supply then they cant hurt us. It could also be interesting to see how Hicks / King go against Carmont / Richards, and vice versa.

Totally agree that up front is key. However Coley and Prescott have really impressed of late, and IMO are our best 2 props. I think the crunch will come when Feka and Fielden come on. Feka is great going forward but monaghan may target him from the dummy half position. Fielden really needs to put a big game in. Hopefully Morley will clock him one early and he will get riled up and really shine(i remember him having a stormer against leeds once after tangling with Peacock). His good games are few and far between , lets home Saturday is one!

I have no concerns over the backs. I think we have a real edge in pace and ability and if Mathers sticks to the script he will have a shocker!

If you defend like last friday, you'll walk it

If the kicking game is good and we can keep the pressure on Mathers then we will win comfortably.

Wire are a decent side with ball in hand, but defensively they are very poor. How many times this season have they conceded 30 or more points?

I will remind you of this statement on Sunday... after my hangover has cleared...

I have to say 4/5 weeks ago I was very confident of a Wire win, however now, I do believe it is too close to call. I think all of the Wigan "bigging up" talk is becasue deep down you are as unsure as I am.

Anyway, enjoy the game... may the best team win (and no silly Ref decisions to take away from the winning team).

In peace from a Wire fan. Just to say what a pleasant surprise to read a thread with considered comments about the game, rather than the usual moronic name calling that goes on.
I have no idea what the result is going to be, and all the previous comments have some relevance.
Let us hope it is a good game, and the better team on the day wins - hoping it is Wire of course.
As long as whoever gets to Wembley can beat Saints, presuming they get there!

Exactly. Defend like we have the last couple of weeks and we should win and we should win quite convincingly.

Im surprised noone else has mentioned it, but apart from the obvious Carvell and Morley drives, I think we need to keep an eye on Briers and Jon Clarke.

Briers has always been an influential player for them, so we cant let him get on top of Sam and Tommy.

Jon Clarke has hit abit of form of late, finding the tryline a few times aswel, so hopefully Riddell can nullify that threat.

Weaknesses? Mathers has to be targeted. In the air and on the floor. We saw last week he still isnt safe with bouncing balls - lets test him out. As Sam and Phelps are usually there abouts when a kick is put through.

Id keep an eye on Mona's if he plays hooker also King is looking very strong and Bridge he has great footwork and is starting to use he stepside again.

how many?

6 but not many recently

how many times have I heard that? - Id settle for a solid game without the knock ons and without the niggle, giving away the penalties

lets all get on Mathers back as we do with Dodgy Hodgie !

What we need to do is hold carvell and morley up and let sam knee chop the gits

Fantastic idea that, demonstrates to perfection what a wealth of knowledge you have about the game, also shows alot of maturity and intelligence. Well Done.

Pffffff only caught one

Our halfbacks have to step up for me. Leuluai needs to show a little more composure than last friday and both HBs need excellent kicking games, turn Mathers, smash him, knock his confidence and pin Wire back into their own 20.

Can't wait.