Great post.

One of the biggest positives for me is the number of leaders we have on the field at the moment, players looking to lead from the front. Obviously Ellis is pivotal in this, but we also have Houghton in arguably career best form, Sneyd stepping up and running the plays, and Taylor whose attitude is one of refusing to be dominated. I think the combination of these with Talanoa and Fonua causing problems out the back and a very good blend in the pack means that the group's confidence, individually and collectively, is justifiably high ATM. The whole thing could go to carp at any point of course, but I think fans' confidence is that we've got a strong, fit squad, and are playing cohesively and consistently, not depending on the biggest individuals in the club to create something from nothing like we used to do with Willie Manu, for example. Definitely feels like a more enjoyable season than the last few, so far.

Ah Wembley 1983, the scars still run deep. I was a fresh faced 17 year old and the bitter disappointment of that day on those terraces probably prepared me for many more to come. I don't think though anything will ever match that defeat, odd's on favourites, playing rank outsiders and just won the league. It really shouldn't have happened.

You had to go and mention that ... and the thread was going so well.
I had erased 83 from my memory in a kind of Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind scenario

I was 15 and remember those feelings as well. I was in tears in 1980 and absolutely incandescent with rage in 1983. I did enjoy 1986 though!

All our other Wembley defeats were in matches which could have gone either way.

The 1983 match was one were expected to win and should have won. We cam out all guns blazing in the second half and got into a lead before being pegged back by a dogged and more enthusiastic Featherstone team.

In the end, Featherstone deserved to win and I never had a problem with that at all.

I still think our total no show versus Wigan in 2013 was the hardest defeat to stomach.

It was and as I said earlier I'm sure that should we make a final this year or next we will be mentally as well as physically tougher.

I've been one of the clubs biggest critics for the last few years, but I BELIEVE! Been a long time since we've seen an FC side play with so much passion, team spirit and organisation. Several players have lifted their games (most Notably Sneyd) to levels I couldn't have imagined just a few months ago.

We are still probably a centre and stand-off short of being on full-power, but in a year when many teams are inconsistent and Leeds out of the running, why can't it be our year?

This is the best set of players across the park that we've had for years and it appears to be competitive with all other teams in the league. We have a really good chance to advance in both comps. As stated fitness of key plays will be crucial.

Unfortunately, being of an age, I can vividly recall crying in 1959 and 1960 when we were demolished by Wigan and then Wakey. As a 17/18 year old it was pretty hard to take and subsequent defeats at Wembley have done nothing to take the pain away. Thank God for Cardiff, at least I was there to see us lift the cup.

Could have been very different if Charnley hadnt run down Jamie Shaul

Too young for those two defeats, but my Dad went through his life having witnessed every Wembley set back.

We missed being in Cardiff for the 2005 Final due to a family illness, but we at least witnessed the 1982 Elland Road Replay victory.

Really fancy us for a Wembley win this year, firstly due to this season's performances and feel we'd be hopeful of beating anyone we came up against.

This^^^^^
Felt that had Shaul scored we'd have settled and gone on to win.

I've also always thought that about 2013. The lift the players would have got should Shaul have made it to the line would have won us that game in my opinion.

Will never forget Hudson's head high on Toppo and stamp on the head of Harkin, niether payer recovered during the game. Think Knocker cracked him a couple of times though.

Wasn't meant to be in 2013, knew as soon as Ellis went off injured it was going to take a miracle. Looking back it was a crap game, looked like a game of rah rah with no go forward from either side.

this year super league is very unpredictable Waky beat wire today that was a surprise giants pushed the dragon's very close on Saturday we look the form team but form can come and go class is here to stay

I believe we have the class in the team to stay around the top 4 or 2 but injuries have played a massive part of teams results this year we have been pretty lucky thus far our pivotal players apart from price have been injury free if we keep everyone fit and chomping at the bit and looking over there shoulder I think we have a great chance to reach the grand final

The challenge cup is a one off and depends so much on luck it looks like any ones cup in the last 8 other than Widnes they look to have fallen apart but they are missing key pivots so their form could return it could be the best super league ever and really change the comp for the future I believe we can go all the way to old Trafford this year if we stay fit and focussed

I believe we have the best chance in 10 years to make a mark on the game.

I am level head enough to realise we will not win every game. When a defeat does come I really hope there is not a knee jerk reaction.

I am wary that Leeds will turn the corner at some point and that Huddersfield are a good side. These will turn over teams at the top end of the table at some point soon.

The senior players are the one who as a collective are our biggest plus point. I was critical of Leon Pryce recently on here, but in the last two game I personally think he has played extremely well.

This has always been my belief, had Shaul scored, the whole team would've lifted. Wigan were just as poor as us that day and were there for the beating.
In 2008 I accepted being beaten by arguably the best side in the country in that time. We did our best so I walked away with a smile on my face.
In 2013 I sobbed, and sobbed, and sobbed. Sheer frustration at the complete lack of common sense and nouse to put the game to bed and finally shrug that monkey off my back meant I was truly devastated.

There was life before super league

I believe I said if we won on Friday at Wigan I would believe we have the ability to win things.

Fully agree on Pryce, his experience and reading of the game is invaluable.

For the Michaels try on Friday - we had a move set up, When Pryce got the ball he noticed a Wigan player edge a couple of feet out of the line. Instead of carrying on an executing the planned play, he spots hit, hits the gap, sucks the defenders in and leaves us with the overlap. For the Talanoa try, he saw the Wigan defence wasn't set properly on the blind side and switched play.

He's suffered with a couple of small injuries and takes a few games back to get up to speed it seems, but fully fit he's still pretty decent.

Expected to move on at the end of the season, does he have another year in him?

I think he does. It sounds like it won't be with us, which I think is the right decision, but he'd get a contract elsewhere.

Can see Pryce retiring with Bradford.

I definitely believe we can win something this year, there's no one we can't beat as we've shown but we're far from dominant as that's just the league this year. As for other fans, wonder how long it'll be before we start to poach Leeds glory supporters from the East Riding villages

Of that I am more than aware.
My point referred to the fact that we have never won the league that we are now in.