WIgan back in relegatin zone next Sunday?

[Mike]

Just some thoughts on the league table after this week's matches...

Given that we are playing Leeds and Wakefield are at home against Catalans, there's quite a chance that we will end up back in the relegation spot on Sunday.

Fortunately, I don't think it will be time to panic, as we should get out of trouble the following week at home to huddersfield as Wakefield's tricky run in begins with the visit of Leeds.

An encouraging thing from this weeks matches was how bad Wakefield and Castleford were yesterday. I can't see either of those sides beating anyone other than Catalans away. Put Brough (or even Brad Davis) back into the Cas team, and they should beat Wakefield next time though. Both Wakefield players should be banned until the end of the seaosn as well (though I reckon they'll both get 2 matches max)

On the optimistic side, an interseting run-in is Warrington's: Salford away, Harlequins home, Leeds away. Hull home, Saints home. Slip-ups in the first two matches (the the first is no easy-win) and Wires could be looking at 0 points from this sequence. This would give us a target of 7 points to make the play-offs (4 wins from 5 should do it)! Unfortunately, this looks very unlikely - Wolves should pick up at least 2 points meaning we have to beat Leeds< Bradford and Hull in our run-in.

Any other takes on the table after this weekend?

[ancientnloyal]

The thing is Mike, no-one knows what results will turn out with. Wigan could lose each match, Wakefield could win the next 5.

I think Wigan will take Leeds close, but how close? It's a match to see how far Wigan have come, apparently improving each week... fielden and dobson injuries may be a factor, Leeds struggling... who knows?

as for wakefield, the awful play by Katic (i think) and Beathon should hopefully give them long suspensions (like newton last year on Long)...

leeds to win I feel, wakefield to win.. but we'll stay above them on points diff.

[cpwigan]

You could be right Mike although I believe we can beat Leeds and even stranger Catalan can beat Wakey.

I do think that it is possible that a club other than ourselves and Wakey could get dragged in.

I cannot believe how bad Cas were although I suppose losing both halfbacks is not easy. I did not see anything with the ball in hand to suggest Wakey have improved in that department. Had Cas scored at 4-0 I believe they would have folded.

[Mother feka!!]

Leeds defence looked awful on friday, and attack and defence was brilliant, i have the feeling we can win this one!

[Matthew]

Interesting points Mike. However even if we lose and Wakey win; we may still be above them - depending on points difference.

Leeds have been pretty average recently and we have only lost one in the last 7 so form wise we are in with a shout.

Wakey should defintely be without Monty for a few matches - targeting arguably the oppositions best play in a ground and pound UFC style must warrant a 4 match ban at the very least; he had his hands in his face, then slapped him and then threw 4 unanswered punches as McGoldrick attempted to cover up - Fletcher was banned for 3 for supposedly leading with the forearm when he had the ball!

As for Catic - well headbutting has been previously looked on pretty dimly in normal circumstances and so he must be looking at a similarly tough ban.

However knowing the RFL - it wouldn't surprise me to see a "sending off sufficient" verdict!

[Alex the Warrior]

I went away for the weekend after the match on Friday and it took me till this afternoon to find out the Wakefield result. Obviously I'm gutted as I want our safety guaranteed at the first opportunity.

While I'm sure we'll all remain a bit edgy until we're mathematically safe, there is a one out of 5 situation developing and we are easily the best side out of those 5 over the last 2 months.

Our points difference is now worth a point over Castleford and Harlequins and will remain so. A win in 2 weeks will probably life us above Huddersfield.

None of the games after that are easy, but we're certainly not playing to a standard that would see us lose them all.

It could still get uncomfortable, but we'll pull through.

[adrenalinxx]

Castleford could be in the relegation zone if Wakefield and Wigan have good wins as Cas are playing St Helens, although I don't think Wigan are good enough to beat any of the top 6 sides.

[spireite]

most important next week keep points against to a minimum match against huddersfield they might have their minds on challenge cup final

[Matthew]

adrenalinxx posted:
I don't think Wigan are good enough to beat any of the top 6 sides.

In our current run of good form we have beaten the Wolves and Salford who are 5th and 6th respectively in the table. Leeds have been pretty ordinary recently - look at the huddersfield game.

Obviously they have to sort themselves out at some point - however if we continue to play and improve as we have done then we could run them pretty close

[primrose-n-blue]

Mike posted:
An encouraging thing from this weeks matches was how bad Wakefield and Castleford were yesterday.

Huh?...What game was you watchin'? I watched it as a nutral and I can tell you it was an awesome effort from Wakefield with 12 and then 11 men!!

Mike posted:
On the optimistic side, an interseting run-in is Warrington's: Salford away, Harlequins home, Leeds away. Hull home, Saints home. Slip-ups in the first two matches (the the first is no easy-win) and Wires could be looking at 0 points from this sequence. This would give us a target of 7 points to make the play-offs (4 wins from 5 should do it)!

What a load of tosh!