Re: Where will we finish? : Sat Sep 16, 2023 4:03 pm  

Looking at the table, if things stay as they are (I know, I know), seems to me that we have a good chance of facing Leigh again (assuming we finish top, and then face the lowest ranking Eliminator winner). If I've got it right.

Re: Where will we finish? : Sat Sep 16, 2023 4:30 pm  

moto748 wrote:

Looking at the table, if things stay as they are (I know, I know), seems to me that we have a good chance of facing Leigh again (assuming we finish top, and then face the lowest ranking Eliminator winner). If I've got it right.

Yes thats right. Adrian Lam's view on who they'll have a better chance against in the playoffs may influence how they approach the game on Friday (particularly if Salford beat Hull Kr this weekend).

Re: Where will we finish? : Sat Sep 16, 2023 4:44 pm  

Catalans racking up the points against Leeds. Saints will do similar against Hull, so the more the better for them tonight. All 3 clubs winning their last game, with Saints finishing third would be a great result.

Re: Where will we finish? : Mon Sep 18, 2023 8:22 am  

NickyKiss wrote:

Catalans racking up the points against Leeds. Saints will do similar against Hull, so the more the better for them tonight. All 3 clubs winning their last game, with Saints finishing third would be a great result.

I think that is probably where things will land but you just never know.

The only one I think is a certainty is the Saints Hull game, the others depend on how all four teams approach things.

Re: Where will we finish? : Mon Sep 18, 2023 9:20 am  

The fact we could still finish outside the top 2 is a scary thought, if only we hadn’t lost to Wakefield.

Re: Where will we finish? : Mon Sep 18, 2023 9:28 am  

CJamesy wrote:

The fact we could still finish outside the top 2 is a scary thought, if only we hadn’t lost to Wakefield.

I've been saying this. To have been 2-3 seconds away from a win where the final ball was kicked towards Field without pressure but giving away a penalty was criminal and still potentially costly.

Re: Where will we finish? : Mon Sep 18, 2023 9:29 am  

FearTheVee wrote:

I think that is probably where things will land but you just never know.

The only one I think is a certainty is the Saints Hull game, the others depend on how all four teams approach things.

Saints will win and looking at Salford on Saturday night, I very much doubt they'll get past Catalans because they don't have enough in the forwards. That leaves us at Leigh and it's your best chance of a result because of the emotion of the fixture and what it means to Leigh. I don't think it'll be straightforward for us but if we keep our form up, fingers crossed we'll get the job done.

Re: Where will we finish? : Mon Sep 18, 2023 9:44 am  

It's a great end to the season and it is reflective of 3 sides being a cut above the rest, albeit all inconsistent!

I think we'll finish top, I just love the way we are approaching games mentally. We are not getting involved in any silly business and aggro, we are just sticking to playing rugby. It has been particularly evident over the last few weeks since the Catalans game. Salford, Leeds and Cas all tried to get under our skin, but we haven't bitten. Fingers crossed the circumstances and atmosphere does not change this on Friday. It will be a good test for us.

Re: Where will we finish? : Mon Sep 18, 2023 9:52 am  

LewCharnock wrote:

It's a great end to the season and it is reflective of 3 sides being a cut above the rest, albeit all inconsistent!

I think we'll finish top, I just love the way we are approaching games mentally. We are not getting involved in any silly business and aggro, we are just sticking to playing rugby. It has been particularly evident over the last few weeks since the Catalans game. Salford, Leeds and Cas all tried to get under our skin, but we haven't bitten. Fingers crossed the circumstances and atmosphere does not change this on Friday. It will be a good test for us.

In a lot of ways Leigh is a good game for Wigan- if Leigh approach it as they did a couple of weeks ago when we played them. You would like to think that Lam will want to get one over his old employers. Wigan need an intense game though, they've coasted through the last few games and haven't been tested. Even the game in France was a walk in the park.

A couple of fans on here have mocked our attack and its true there doesn't seem to be many points in us and we have been definitely clunky. However when you defend like we do we are bloody hard to score against as evidenced by only conceding two tries in the last two games despite Leigh and Warrington throwing a lot at us.

I've mentioned this before but at this time of the season the conditions change and when its wet and windy its about completing sets and turning the ball over as close as you can to the opposition line and then defending with great line speed to force errors. Thats what we have done over the last couple of weeks and Wellens last line in his Sky interview last Friday was noteworthy- "we are play off ready"

Wigan may need a good hit out at a higher intensity.....

Re: Where will we finish? : Mon Sep 18, 2023 10:24 am  

Stu M wrote:

In a lot of ways Leigh is a good game for Wigan- if Leigh approach it as they did a couple of weeks ago when we played them. You would like to think that Lam will want to get one over his old employers. Wigan need an intense game though, they've coasted through the last few games and haven't been tested. Even the game in France was a walk in the park.

A couple of fans on here have mocked our attack and its true there doesn't seem to be many points in us and we have been definitely clunky. However when you defend like we do we are bloody hard to score against as evidenced by only conceding two tries in the last two games despite Leigh and Warrington throwing a lot at us.

I've mentioned this before but at this time of the season the conditions change and when its wet and windy its about completing sets and turning the ball over as close as you can to the opposition line and then defending with great line speed to force errors. Thats what we have done over the last couple of weeks and Wellens last line in his Sky interview last Friday was noteworthy- "we are play off ready"

Wigan may need a good hit out at a higher intensity.....

It's a great point and one our group was discussing at the game on Friday. We've been playing superbly well and that's great but it's maybe not the best prep for the play offs. The game against Leigh on Friday is one that makes me feel nervy but it's a fantastic fixture for us in most ways because of the reasons you note. They'll challenge us physically and it will be a good mental test and win or lose I think it can stand us in good stead.

I'm keeping everything crossed we get the win but whatever happens, I just hope our fans stick with it because it won't be the end of our chances if we get beat. Just as I believe Saints have every chance of finishing third and winning their first play off game, then away in Catalans and then a Grand Final, I also think we are capable of doing that.