Re: The Race for 1st : Tue Jun 22, 2010 6:05 pm  

With all the injuries and young players enforced into the team, I think we have done remarkably well to stay in the top 4 most of the season. Think we will keep 3rd place, but if Wire slip up and we beat them at HJ I reckon we could nick 2nd.
Barring any injuries and with Mauriie,Kyle, Sol, Gardner and Wilky coming back we should be a feared force come play off time.

Re: The Race for 1st : Tue Jun 22, 2010 6:14 pm  

Tony Stark wrote:

I think the cup games will play a huge part in the final outcome especially as Saints & Wire play each other the week before. Will both teams field weakened sides or will both still want to compete at full strength knowing it could jeopardise their chances of making the cup final should further injuries/fatigue occur.

Leeds play Wigan aswell, so not much chance for Leeds to rest a few either as they're playing catch up.

Re: The Race for 1st : Tue Jun 22, 2010 7:54 pm  

Neither Wigan nor Warrington are known for their surges during the championship rounds and their lack of experience under pressure may well count in our favour.

It's all very well knocking over teams in the early rounds when the trophies are practically out of sight. It's a different ball game when it starts to REALLY matter.

Re: The Race for 1st : Tue Jun 22, 2010 8:41 pm  

Mr. Messy wrote:

ST.HELENS
Salford (H)
Leeds (A)
Catalans Dragons (H)
Harlequins (H)
Wakefield (A)
Warrington (A)
Challenge Cup Semi Final
Bradford (H)
Crusaders (A)
Possible Challenge Cup Final
Castleford (H)

WARRINGTON WOLVES
Leeds (H)
Crusaders (A)
Castleford (H)
Wigan (A)
Catalans Dragons (A)
St Helens (H)
Challenge Cup Semi Final
Wakefield (A)
Hull FC (H)
Possible Challenge Cup Final
Harlequins (A)

WIGAN WARRIORS
Harlequins (A)
Catalans Dragons (A)
Salford (H)
Warrington (H)
Hull FC (A)
Leeds (A)
Huddersfield (H)
Hull KR (A)
Bradford (H)

Saints have 5 Home games remaining with Warrington and Wigan only having 4. Leeds Rhinos will have a massive say on who finishes top.

Saints still to face Leeds & Warrington

Warrington still to face Leeds, Wigan, St.Helens & Hull FC

Wigan still to face Leeds, Warrington, Hull FC & Huddersfield


But who will it be…?

We'll have a say for 2nd, no doubts at all.

I can see us only losing 3 more at the most and IF we beat Wire again I think 2nd is ours to lose.

Re: The Race for 1st : Thu Jun 24, 2010 2:34 pm  

Mugwump wrote:

Neither Wigan nor Warrington are known for their surges during the championship rounds and their lack of experience under pressure may well count in our favour.

It's all very well knocking over teams in the early rounds when the trophies are practically out of sight. It's a different ball game when it starts to REALLY matter.

I'd disagree a bit with that with regards to Wigan, the last couple of years under Noble our starts have been absolutely woeful. But then usually by the last 5/10 games of the season i'd probably argue we've been the form team both times, and have then done better in the playoffs than our league position suggested.

I'm interested to see what a top 2 or 4 finish would be like for us this year, the home advantage could be very beneficial as both times before we lost out away at Leeds.

Re: The Race for 1st : Thu Jun 24, 2010 3:40 pm  

My prediction is that this weekend, Saints will beat Salford and Wires and Wigan will both lose. That will put the cat amongst the pigeons.

Re: The Race for 1st : Thu Jun 24, 2010 3:52 pm  

The Chief wrote:

My prediction is that this weekend, Saints will beat Salford and Wires and Wigan will both lose. That will put the cat amongst the pigeons.

Miniscule chance Wigan will lose IMO.

Doubt Wire will either to be honest - Kylie ruled out for Leeds now too.

Re: The Race for 1st : Thu Jun 24, 2010 4:15 pm  

The Chief wrote:

My prediction is that this weekend, Saints will beat Salford and Wires and Wigan will both lose. That will put the cat amongst the pigeons.

If we were going to quins having beaten you then I would agree but everytime we have lost so far this year we have responded with a win!

I think Leeds will beat wire though!

Re: The Race for 1st : Thu Jun 24, 2010 4:21 pm  

I think that 2nd is realistic, with warringtons games wigan away, leeds and saints and the challenge cup they might gain ground on them and reach second
Either way top 4 is all we need were a different team come play offs!