Wigan WILL be in Super 8s

[morley pie eater]

Widnes are at home Morley. We will make the Super 8s though.

Thanks SEFC. According to SL site, we play Widnes away on 2nd July. I forgot match was switched.

[Exiled Wiganer]

We decided to play Widnes away first, because our pitch was unfit. So it's their turn to come to us.
If we focus on the task in hand, take seriously the threat of missing out, and keep the team in one piece, we can win the 2/3 home games. The top 4 is already gone. Sadly.
Still, win on Saturday, win those 2 survival games, and then target the Cup, and there is still life in us yet.

[Wormburner]

Only the top 4 in the super 8s can compete for the Grand Final

Why's that then?, i have forgot

[5miler]

I agree that we will need to win 2 of our home games as I cannot see us winning the 2 away ones, judging by our "efforts" these last 2 months.
For what it's worth, looking at the Giants' recent performances I expect another hiding there followed by a belated realisation that we are in a battle for survival.
I think we will then put everything into getting the 2 wins we need and will have an enjoyable pressure free time in the super 8s outside the 4.
The big difference between our 2017 vintage and the 2006 one is that we have genuine talent in this squad if they can be bothered/get fit enough to play.

Giants are back to virtually full strength which is why they are playing so much better now. Possibly 6 players to be back for CC - Lockers,Powell,Faz,Gelling,Bateman and Sam. Can't see them all playing at once as some would be knackered in second half,but suddenly the team looks stronger. The youngsters have done well but are still just youngsters and have been battered too many times. They are busted as teams have finally worn them out. Also ,with Lockers,Powell and Sam T on the field we potentially would have 5 halves on at the same time. Interesting...

[fozzieskem]

Scrapping through then getting to the grand final would not be good for the sport as a whole, even though it would be to our advantage.

On this i agree wholeheartedly,i suspect though the top4 is beyond Wigan,even though Salford are having a blip,Leeds and Cas will be there so that leaves 2 spots,one likely to be Salford unless they plummet,Hull will be there or there abouts so that leaves Wakey,Saints and Wigan fighting for one spot if Salford stumble.

Not a fan of the 8's,it rewards poor form and creates a little cushion that can reward poor play,top 4,semi final (call it what you will)then the GF is how it should be.

[moto748]

I agree on the 8s. It has reduced (although not eliminated) the number of dead rubbers, but at the greater cost of failing to recognise effort through the season. The top four should decide it.

I wouldn't be too pious about 'damage to the sport', though! I took plenty of value from last season's win, as I'm sure we all did, but if a miracle happened this season I'd be just as delighted.

[bootsnall]

As we are seeing close up now, the super 8's is not a good format and I'd much prefer the play off involving the top 8 teams as per previous years.

Why? Because you could finish 8th and still win the GF.

Currently we are 14 points behind Castleford. If that stays the same at the end of the rounds, how could we move up the table towards the top 4? It's virtually impossible.

The only thing from being in the top 8 (5 to 8) isthat

[bootsnall]

(Sorry - clumsiness)

Continued...

Is that you stay safe from relegation.

The old system allowed no lifelines from 5 to 8 but one loss for 1 to 4 finishings. Better?

I think so...

[bootsnall]

Further, every post on here talks about injuries which I understand given the severity and amount of them but...

If we kicked our points against Saints, Hull, Leigh and Wakefield, (as good teams do), the 16 points we currently have would be closer to 20 or more which would put us in position 5...

Good teams are rarely missing their kicks and at 2 points a shot, they can be game makers.

It's just something else to consider apart from injuries. You only have to look at that 'Lions' stuff on TV at the moment to see how the kicks win the games. They don't even score tries!

[mickh]

Boots n all, I like the way you are thinking, and, that is the crux of the matter. Pay clever money for a "GOAL KICKER" to give his teammates confidence and demoralise the opposition.

You all know yourself that once we have a 7 point winning gap between us and the opposition - we feel better, so the players do,

A "TOP CLASS" goal kicker is a must.

It's common sense!

Mick