For me it would mark the long-awaited turn of the tide.

In two ways.

Firstly, our glory era was characterised by us nearly always winning these must-win matches, whereas the last few years have been characterised by us always losing them.

Secondly, while Wigan dominated the derbies of the 90s, Saints have clearly dominated the derbies of the 00s. We're now just about ready to change back.

Whatever the outcome of this game, people will still say it was a one-off, it won't mean anything in the long run, etc. But in truth it will mean an awful lot, especially if Wigan win. Even during our glory days, Saints occasionally beat us, and we them during their period of power. But this one REALLY matters. It wouldn't just get Wigan to a vital final, it would send Saints out of the season with no final appearance under their belt at all. Two very significant outcomes. I wouldn't go as far as to say that the power-shift would be complete, but it would strongly indicate that Saints are indeed on the wane and that Wigan may - just may - be on the way back.

From a Wigan perspective, a win on Friday would also rub out all memories of meaningless 75-0 drubbings, defeats at Old Trafford etc. All of that would be relegated to the bin of unimportant history. For a brief time at least, Saints will be the past again and Wigan will be the future. What greater motivation could a club have?

This is possibly the biggest and best chance we have had of getting to a Grand Final since 2003. I am so excited it is unimaginable.

We'll look forward to it all week then the 80 mins of the match will be the most agonising of our lives and we'll be desperate for it to end...

Great Post, but I'll just pick you up on that little mistake!

They may have dominated the "Derbies" since 2005 to end of 2008" but Not the 2000's !



We won far more than they did in that period!

I'd chop my **** off for a win on sat seriously

Biggest Derby since 2004!

There is so much riding on this game, I agree with what crucnher says.

Winning on saturday I feel will make up for so many disapointments it's not even true!

I have not been as excited about a game for so long!

Another poor season for us and rugby league could end with a bang

defo sig material that mate nearly shat laughing !

Means everything to me. Giving up tickets to see 1 of my favourite bands whilst growing up, Stereophonics at cardiff castle just for a rugby game says alot. Not just for this season disappointment but for seasons gone by where we've seen stains have their moments of glory whilst we've had to sit back and watch and having our noses rubbed in it whenever we've suffered big losses to them to. I'm still not convinced were good enough to lift the trophy come Grand Final night should we get there but I do have a feeling we have what it takes to do the business on Saturday. It would be sweet to stop them from winning anything this year and a possible Grand Final win would make it even more sweeter.

Cheers but i would i've had enough of the mrs and in laws going to all finals and after a good drumming off them get stick come sat night i really hope it's on the other foot

I wouldnt expect it gets much use anyway

Its the biggest game of the season so far. But it wont be as big as the next game if we win. We are due a win at their place and wouldn't it make it even better to win their and get through to the final!. What year was it they did it at our place to get through to the final? That was one tough evening and the salt was well and truly rubbed in. Its up to the players now, they are not going to get any fitter, they are not going to learn any new tricks. Its all down to attitude and application on the day. We have had our hearts broken to many times over the last few years in semi finals. I just hope we come away having given our all and run our blood to water. I just hope from 1 to17 we play how we can, and as a team. The pressure will be immense, its going to boil down to who can handle it the better.
Surprisingly i feel quite calm, i dont know why, no nerves just anticipation of a great game.

I wouldn't go as far as to say that the power-shift would be complete, but it would strongly indicate that Saints are indeed on the wane and that Wigan may - just may - be on the way back.

Was that intentional Cruncher.....

You wanna borrow some nail clippers?

wondered how long before you had your say.

It really does mean the 'whole season' to me as if we win I can't go to the Final but a semi final win against Saints will give me as much of a buzz as winning the final could I reckon. We look pretty good at the moment and pretty confident. We go there with no fear at all which is a huge difference from what we'd have been like going into this fixture 12months back.

If we do get through to the Grand Final I just hope we can win as the WCC will be my final.

Not been this excited about a game for ages, the Warrington semi just wasnt doin it for me, its not as exciting as a Semi against saints, would have made the perfect final this game.

I will go to cardiff then, I won't be able to watch come saturday

That has to be one of the best posts I have ever seen on here in all the years I have been reading

We deffo owe them for 75 - bart! That day makes me feel sick!

Roll on Saturday I hope the weather is good and can't wait get into that stand as it will be bouncing and will collapse if we win!

Deffo got butterflies already, can't wait to stick it to them

Why do i put myself through this year after year. Don't get me wrong, i wouldn't change this for the world, but the Wigan versus Saints derbies should carry some sort of government health warning!

The derby game is not just played over 80 minutes on the day. Its not just those memories on the pitch that stand out. It is the entire day, in fact the entire week before! The build up to the big event is in many ways, as big as the match itself.

As soon as the match prior to the derby game finishes, the build up starts. The next game isn't just another League, Cup or playoff game.......it's St Helens!!!!

It is those nights, days even, before the match when you can't sleep for thinking about the game. It is those nights when all dreams are consumed with the events that may or may not occur on derby day. It os the playing of old Wigan/Saints videos or DVD's just to try and calm the nerves. It is the excitement that slowly drains through your body turning confidence to doubt and back again every hour. It is the fact that Wigan are playing Saints and you are going to be there!

The week before the game you lie awake earlier and earlier each night. Finally, as match day dawns you are awake by 4am, slowly watching your bedside alarm clock move on minute by minute. You feel like a child on Christmas Eve waiting for Father Christmas to arrive and being told by your parents that it was now time to get up!

Even though the day is young and it is still dark outside, you sit their dressed ready for the game. Your shirt that has been hanging unwashed on the front of the wardrobe door since the last game, your lucky socks, your scarf, flag, all their waiting to start their journey to the ground.

Your stomach is doing cartwheels! The thought of food is the last thing on your mind.

The planned leaving time is still hours away as you start pacong around the house. You sit down and turn the television on only to find a Childrens TV show on every channel. You can only last ten minutes before the pacing starts again and you start looking at your watch, asking yourself why you couldn't have arranged to leave a couple of hours earlier.

Finally it is time to leave! Just one last chance to check the Sky Box and video has been set to record, at the right time, on the right channel. The car is dressed up like your going to a wedding. A flag drapped along the parcel shelf, car flags hang on the windows and coloured ribbon are tied to your car ariel. If its cherry and white.....then its going with you!

The journey starts well enough, the radio is switched on, to try and catch some team news ahead of the big match. The news and sport soon arrives and the mention of the word Wigan receives a cheer. Both teams have late injury worries with players rated as 50/50. This is when the nerves really start to kick in!

Once at the ground, the nerves disappear as the atmosphere takes over....you grab somethng to eat and a drink or two and head to find your place on the terraces........

This is show time......this is Wigan v Saints!

I have to say a lot of these responses are brilliant.

I can't even think about the possibility of winning on Saturday.

Everytime iv been to knowsley road sober we've lost, last year i was a little bit tipsy and we drew, so if anyone wants to donate to get me intoxicated come 5.30pm just drop us a PM

the spark has defo come back after last week for me, the team have a belief and so do the fans,

this is our time

We aren't done yet my friend. No matter how confident you claim to be, there's still that nagging doubt. Still the fear you wont get past another semi final, still the fear Saints will pull out one last big performance.