I totally agree, we've been going along so far in the hope that 'it's ok we'll turn it around come the business end of the season.' Well now really, if we are to challenge this year we must start being consistent. If we are unable to win these coming games I personally don't think we can just assume we will turn it around come the end of the year. We need to stake our intentions now, and not use the we are champions we will be fine excuse.

Exactly.

If we are to have any success this season, then the foundations need to be put in place over the coming weeks. NOW is the time.

Despite what people say, we aren't going to get near the title if we finish below 4th, and if we go out of the CC we'll be staring down the barrell of a very poor season.

I have faith in the team to step up for the big games. McClennan mentioned that we will need to be battle hardened going into the Wigan game so I'd expect to see a few of decent performances.

The current team rarely let us down. They usually step up. Now is the time to do that.

Or you could argue that flunking out of the CC would strengthen our bid to retain our Super League crown.

I've never seen that as a valid argument. I don't see how losing a chance to win a trophy can really be seen as a good thing. As the triple champions we should be looking to win everything, and all ready this season we have failed to win an available trophy. You can call me greedy but I just think having an attitude of losing can be looked upon as a good thing is the wrong attitude IMO.

It is valid though.

I'm not saying over the last few years we've thrown the cup.

But we always make the most of the extra break.

Which we should do.

Would we have won the last 3 GF's if we also won the last 3 CC's?

Highly unlikely.

No, although I doubt we'd have won them all if we hadn't taught saints to fear us. I'd like to see us take the opportunity of pressurising wigan by dumping them out of the cup.

Yep, your point is valid. Who's to say if we'd have had a better cup run the past 3 years.

But this year, with the team we've got, we should surely be looking to win both.

But worst case scenario, i'd take a 4th consequtive GF win over the CC any day.

I know.

In the early part of the season i'd have agreed with bloodbath.

But we lost so much ground on the top 2 you can't pick and choose what you want us to focus on we have to remain in contention for the CC as the gf is less likely with our league position.

I agree with the OP

Whilst these next 3 games are not 'must win' and the end of our season if we lose all 3,we really need to start taking points off the 'top' teams as it will help improve our confidence and remind some of the fans of these 'top' teams that have forgotton/written us off already that we are still in the hunt.

At this moment in time I think the only teams above us in the table that we have beaten are Hull FC and that cannot go on much longer if we are to be in the shake up for trophies

Why is it always i would take this one over that one like your expecting us to win something.

I dont mind which one we go on to win if we do.

agree with some of the points I think all the games are important now after our dismal start to the year. But we can win it from below 4 th now with the top 8 look at the French last year, I think with the top 8 system it is easier to win from below top 2 and with how the league is going there are gonna be some good teams out of the top 2

With our current patchy form the chances of another GF victory looks unlikely and 3 wins out of the next 3 fixtures ain't going too happen.(Hope i'm wrong)
If you could only choose one win from the next three which one would you choose Wire SL (H) Bradford SL(A) or Wigan CC (H) .