We can't win the games that matter.

[josie andrews]

Great thread. Our young injury hit team almost pulled it off but eventually lost by a mere 4 points away to a team who are the best in the competition when they choose to be!

Well said Kittwazzer

[DaveO]

The facts speak for themselves and in that sense Kol is right up to a point but he is ignoring the fine win over Les Cats.

The difference Mossop, Hansen and Tomkins will make also has to be added to the equation before we say we can't beat the best sides. How much difference will they make? Hard top say.

Do I think we are as likely to beat the best sides this season as last when we have a full team out? No because I don't think the squad is as good but it is still too soon to say we could not do so.

As to the importance of the league games no one will convince me if (say) we go into the play offs on the back of having lost twice to Leeds and Hudds and only have the point form Wire because we lose the return fixture the team would be in any kind of mental state to compete against those sides when it mattered.

So for me those return fixtures are now very important in their own right for this reason.

The team has to be competitive in the league IMO to have a chance in both the CC and the play offs.

[exile in Tiger country]

No league games really matter*. As long as we make the top eight.
The only games that matter are the play off games.Leeds proved that the last two seasons.













* Except beating Saints, that always matters.

[Kittwazzer]

As to the importance of the league games no one will convince me if (say) we go into the play offs on the back of having lost twice to Leeds and Hudds and only have the point form Wire because we lose the return fixture the team would be in any kind of mental state to compete against those sides when it mattered.

I would agree with that for no other reason than it makes obvious sense.

Trouble is, Leeds record for the last few years belies it. Their home and away record against ourselves, Saints and Wire is appalling. They just seem to turn it on when it matters. For some reason' last night seemed to matter!

[cpwigan]

As to the importance of the league games no one will convince me if (say) we go into the play offs on the back of having lost twice to Leeds and Hudds and only have the point form Wire because we lose the return fixture the team would be in any kind of mental state to compete against those sides when it mattered.

I would agree with that for no other reason than it makes obvious sense.

Trouble is, Leeds record for the last few years belies it. Their home and away record against ourselves, Saints and Wire is appalling. They just seem to turn it on when it matters. For some reason' last night seemed to matter!

I think Leeds have been stung by the criticism that they do not try until the play offs.

[Kiwiseddon]

As to the importance of the league games no one will convince me if (say) we go into the play offs on the back of having lost twice to Leeds and Hudds and only have the point form Wire because we lose the return fixture the team would be in any kind of mental state to compete against those sides when it mattered.

I would agree with that for no other reason than it makes obvious sense.

Trouble is, Leeds record for the last few years belies it. Their home and away record against ourselves, Saints and Wire is appalling. They just seem to turn it on when it matters. For some reason' last night seemed to matter!

I think Leeds have been stung by the criticism that they do not try until the play offs.

Fair point but Brian McDermott regarded yesterday's match as "not a must win game"
That kind of says it all.

[exile in Tiger country]

They wanted the win last night because we spanked them at Sheadingly last season.

[DaveO]

As to the importance of the league games no one will convince me if (say) we go into the play offs on the back of having lost twice to Leeds and Hudds and only have the point form Wire because we lose the return fixture the team would be in any kind of mental state to compete against those sides when it mattered.

I would agree with that for no other reason than it makes obvious sense.

Trouble is, Leeds record for the last few years belies it. Their home and away record against ourselves, Saints and Wire is appalling. They just seem to turn it on when it matters. For some reason' last night seemed to matter!

I was thinking the same thoughts as I wrote the above but then Leeds are not Wigan. Or more to the point Wigan are not Leeds.

For whatever reason Leeds have been able to handle getting tanked during the regular season yet have twice managed to win it from 5th.

I do not think we can.

Leeds clearly believe in themselves as a team. Whether that is because they fluked a win from 5th the first time they did it doesn't matter. They just believe in themselves.

I don't think our side would have the same confidence in its own ability if it hasn't got something more than a draw v Wire by the time the play offs come about.

A lot of success in sport comes from what goes on the head and IMO Leeds are a better team his year than the last two because they are very confident of their own ability whether that is justified in terms of pure talent in their side or not.

[cpwigan]

Leeds have become like St Helens in the sense everybody expects them to do something that they then believe it themselves and gain more and more confidence. Everybody expected Saints to win games in the dying minutes/seconds of games that it became ingrained in the psyche of the players from that era. Likewise, no matter where Leeds finish the regular season, everybody expects, talks them up about coming good in the play offs.

[Kittwazzer]

Leeds have become like St Helens in the sense everybody expects them to do something that they then believe it themselves and gain more and more confidence. Everybody expected Saints to win games in the dying minutes/seconds of games that it became ingrained in the psyche of the players from that era. Likewise, no matter where Leeds finish the regular season, everybody expects, talks them up about coming good in the play offs.

Henry Ford summed this up “Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right!”!