https://www.castlefordtigers.com/article.php?id=5653 Regards , EW

https://www.castlefordtigers.com/article.php?id=5653 Regards , EW

Can't blame Cas for ringing the changes, I would think Hull are now big favourites and Saturdays game will be a dead rubber.

I'd want us to the same in their position. We really don't deserve the top 4 following Sunday's 'performance'. I'll be having money on Saints winning their SF away to Cas too.

Merciful...i'm very ready for our season to be over.

Hope they go into the Semi undercooked and lose it now.

You'd think they would rather us be in 4th place as they've had no trouble beating us this year.

It really is NOT the Wigan way to be relying on other teams to do us favours.

It's happened to us in the past, as it's happened to all teams, but it should never be something we look for.

Cas have earned the right to turn out whatever team they wish this weekend. We haven't even earned the right to be in the semis - if we get there thanks to Cas, we won't deserve it.

It's time to call things the way they are.

The Wigan of 2017 have been inept, hopeless and an embarrassment, and in some ways it would be better if the season ended now so that we can put it behind us and move on.

Would I be happy if things dragged on and, thanks to Castelford, we reached the semis? Of course I would, because I always want Wigan to do well. But if we don't make it, it would hardly be a surprise or an upset. If anything, at least we'd be able to commence the rebuild that's so urgently needed (though yet again, Heaven knows how or where we can make that happen as quickly and comprehensively as we need it to).

It's a very risky move by Powell. If they blow up in the semi-final, questions will be asked why half the team was rested the week before...

This might be the best for Wigan's slim chances. If he played his full team then they may hold back the week before the semis. Whereas fresh fringe players will be keen to impress and have nothing to lose. Also one of the returning players is Ben Roberts who is no mug!

I would be disappointed if Roberts and Webster play from that 19. It's daft us going full tilt and risking injury.


Let's not forget you picked up 2 points yourselves versus Leeds 2nd string earlier on in the season (yes I am well aware how that turned out )

We did beat Saints with a very similar squad in July when we rested 7. But hull are a better side. You guys really blew it on Sunday.

Agree with most of this but for one key point. If we get there thanks to Cas? Sorry but no. If we make the top 4 it's not thanks to Cas it's thanks to the fact we finished higher in the league than those who miss out and the club deserves some credit for that.

We can't ignore what happened this season with injuries and whilst it's not an out and out excuse, it certainly offers some mitigation for points lost.

What can't be ignored are the results like Leigh away, Warrington and Wakey at home etc. Despite the players missing those performances were not acceptable and the lads on the pitch are capable of far better than they've dished up at times this year.

Sunday's performance summed it all up nicely. A huge game to get us a semi final and we under performed again.

If we make the top 4 we'll deserve it by virtue of the fact that our league position dictates it. However the performances this season have generally not need good enough and if there is any justice, Cas will go on to become champions.

Even since our 'big guns' returned our play has been less than attractive to watch. But it has to be said, as good or bad as we may appear to be, since we got most of our players back from injury (Warrington Challenge Cup) I think have won 8 out of the last 11 games. That's 73% win rate. If we had won 73% of our games this year then we would be comfortably second.

I know it's all ifs and buts, it's just something I realised yesterday and thought it was interesting. I think the problem is, when we've been bad, we've been really bad, and those performances stick in people's minds longer than the performances where we get a win.

You're right. Only Cas, Leeds and Wakey have scored more points than us which I found hard to believe. So much criticism has been thrown at our attack but it's defence that's let us down. We've had to do so much of it that we've been goosed when we've had the ball.

It's up to Cas what they do, they've certainly earned the right to do that.

We look like getting what we deserve from our league campaign. It just hasn't been good enough the majority of the time.

If you look at the attack stats for the past 3 years you will find we are something like 30 tries a season off being top try scorers after the regular rounds and after the regular rounds this season we were in fact 3rd on tries scored after Cas and Salford. The three seasons before that we were top, 2nd to Wire by 7 and top. There is a difference to how being 3rd sounds to being 30 tries off the pace. I think the stats back up the perception that our attack has not been good for three seasons.

I think the problem is (quote), when we've been bad, we've been "really bad" whereas in most of our wins we have just been bad !!! the only consistency has been............. win or lose we've been boring.
The real worry (imho) is that we weren't much better last season and we certainly wont see an improvement any time soon without a change in coaching personnel.

I agree. I think that stat is a bit misleading.

But all stats aside, no-one who's watched Wigan regularly this season could seriously think that we are a great attacking team.

I can't remember a period when I felt so unexcited when we got close to the opposition line. So often it ends in a turn-over or a Hail Mary ball leading to nothing (and that is one of the most frustrating outcomes of all, because it appears to be our halfbacks' default move, despite it failing again and again).

Add to that our 50% conversion rate, and we're getting close to an explanation as to why we've fallen so far behind.

You have to remember not all of them are rested, some are genuinely injured.
It would be interesting if Salford pull off a shock against Saints. How many Hull players would then come down with a mystery illness.

It doesn't matter. They can rest as many as they want. They've earned the right.

I might be in the minority here as a Cas fan but i would much rather play Wigan in the semi than Saints....I know there is a lot of needle between our 2 clubs but at least at some level there is respect (there has to be if there is needle).

All i see from Saints is disdain towards Cas!

You guys are playing an amazing brand of rugby, and will make very worthy champions.

I can't speak for everyone, but my view is that Cas are now setting the pace - and the onus is on the rest of us to somehow catch up.

Last Sunday ought to have been a salutary lesson to us that if you're not going forward in sport, you're going backward. Whether we will act on it, remains to be seen.

I would guess none, as I think we would rather go to Leeds than Cas in the semi. So a win and 3rd place would still be our target.

Castleford 8 start on the coupon.

Leeds 8 start on the coupon.

Wakefield 8 start on the coupon.

Salford 14 start on the coupon.

Castleford to finish first Leeds Second Hull Third and Saints fourth.

Semis Thursday Cas - Saints Friday Leeds - Hull

No chance of top four for us.

Cas have earned the right to pick whoever they want for what is (for them anyway), a meaningless fixture before it gets serious next week.

If anyone feels aggrieved that we have been cheated out of 4th spot, then refer to the home games against Cas x 2, Warrington, Wakey, Hull, Salford, or the away game at Leigh.

Leeds don't have a start.

Assuming Hull win tonight and we still had 'club call' who would Cas pick? I suspect they'd go with Hull.