On a few of the topics the discussion has veered off the subject and onto the play-offs. It seems there is a large percentage of supporters that think it doesn't matter anyway we ain't going to win.
'Being realistic, dire rugby, been beaten off wigan twice already' are just a few off the top of my head.
IMO these games have a different mentality to them and just like Derby's form goes right out the window.
I agree to the point we are big underdogs for it, but I recall a similar situation only a few years back ( or have people forgot this already ) when we beat the odds to lift the cup.
Every dog has its day and all that.
I don't think for a single second any player will walk out thinking let's get this over and done with.
It will be a bonus if longy makes it back in time but I just don't get the amount of negative thought about it.

All depends on fitness of our key players IMO. We are a different team with Fitz and O'Meley playing. If we have either of Horne and Long out we'll struggle to unlock defences in the intense play-off environment. However it should be remembered that the play-offs are not as testing as they were in the old system. Under the old system the team finishing 6th would have faced the team finishing 3rd, probably Saints, at Knowsley Road, but now get a home game vs 7th, so who knows? If we're near full strength, we could cause an upset. TBH I'm just glad we're involved.

You gotta be in it to win it




Full squad (barring Whiting) to pick from we have a chance...

We have a lot of big game experienced players which will help, and when we play, boy oh boy do we play!!

Who knows, I am just happy the dream is actually alive this year (so far)!!

At least were a part of it, i may be on holiday for the first play off game depending when it is, So if we do finish 4th at least i might see one of them depending how we do

Good post mate, i remember it well! I think like you say all form and mentality goes out the window, and a lot of it has to do with what players teams have available ie injuries

your part of a very small band of brothers on here i am afraid, but a very welcome post indeed!!

well said, the same posters with sense every day !!!

Exactly. After the last 2 seasons we have something to look forward to and still find something to complain about. Yes agree we do need the big lads fit and I can't see fitz and ogre not busting a gut to get everyone up for it. As for longy, what a lift we would get if he makes it.. never know in league.... you just never know

great post, we HAVE the players to have a good crack at this years playoffs, every team from 1st-7th i think are capable of making it to old trafford, this years playoffs will be the most competitive yet.

This thread is getting me excited for the playoffs already, a little premature lol

Don't worry no doubt some posters will be along soon to pickle on our bonfire

Yep they moan when we don't make the playoffs and moan when we do as FC 'won't do anything anyway'

I fully expect to be involved in week 3, then it's anybody's.

Just thinking the same.

Who knows, we might still be playing this season when the weather turns colder.

We will all be hyper and exhausted by the first match at this rate

The weather states September could be wetter than the average

I agree. There are only two trophies you can win in Super League (leaving aside the minor premiership) but the way some people go on you would think that the other 12 teams are failures.

In each season there are only going to be two (or maybe one) teams that win a trophy. So you have to judge success by other means such as getting to finals, league position and occaasionally beating teams who are better than you.

Being realistic I don't believe we are going to get to the Gf much less win it, but I think we can finish top 5 and win at least one play-off game. Whatever happens this season has already been a damned sight better than last year.

If everyone looks at some of our performances this year we have played some good plays. 5 down the middle still gets played I won't deny it, but this year when the tackle comes in the difference is we have been looking for an offload. Big difference. No doubt we miss longy's kicking but on the whole we haven't done that bad. Looking at some of the kick and chase, against rovers and quins for reference we were right down their throats. Forcing errors. Wigan may have played some quality rugby this season, but with the right players on the park and playing our strengths we got to be in with a chance.

Would help our big pack and our "immobile" wingers like Briscoe.

wow this is ace today its a proper positive fest on here today !!

In all seriousness if anyone thinks it's pointless making the playoffs then WTF is the point of any of it ?

My suggestion would be to wait until the playoffs start and choose the most likely team (Wigan this year) and support them for 3 or 4 games. That gives you the best chance of supporting the winning side. Then do the same next year and change teams if necessary.

Haha you can guarantee it won't last.

I cannot see us beating Wigan, Saints, Wire or Leeds in a one off, but then again we could pull something off, like the Saints games.

I could see us beating anyone else in the eight.