Compelling or not (more compelling than lycra boy's latest name change at any rate) it's a fact that Leeds haven't won a single game all season against any of the remaining SL clubs in the competition.

Lost 24-40 and 6-42 to Warrington.
Lost 16-30 and 16-42 to St Helens.
Lost 24-26, 18-28 to Wigan and drew 22-22 against them.

I honestly think that we've got the fighting chance that we never had in CC final.

All it takes is for us to put our in best performance of the season - this isn't just wishful thinking as over the last 6 games we have progressively got better.

Improved enough to beat Wire? I hoping so this time.

That is quite true, but at the time in any of those games, we were not playing consistently or particularly well, but now that cannot be said. In my opinion if there is a chance of turning Wire over it is now, as we go into the game in good form and playing well, especially defensively. If we take that into Friday night we give ourselves a chance of pulling this off.

As a Wire fan, I'd just like to say that if the form guide (the table) runs its true course, then Wire will win.

Without sounding obvious, we will have to bottle it for Leeds to win.....However, I'm still a pessimistic fan (Years of following Wire), and this could easily happen.

I certainly respect Leeds, but don't fear them in the way we might have 2 or 3 years ago.....Good luck anyway, I just hope next weekend's matches actually match up to the hype that we have surrounding these play-offs, which, at the moment, have been absolutely awful, both in standard on the pitch, and atmosphere off it.

Agree with all of that. Time for another Brian McDermott rallying call this week methinks!

I admire your rediscovered optimism but this progressive improvement since the CC Final has been against very ordinary teams like Castleford, Hull, Hull KR and Huddersfield whose season effectively ended 2 months ago.

The best I can envisage for Leeds next Friday is in restricting the margin of defeat to a respectable one.

The biggest kept secret of the last 3 weeks.......not!

Whatever improved or good Leeds form you are alluding to, it has been against very poor opposition. I don't regard that form as sufficient to grab a win next week.

Quotes of this magnitude could come back and bite you on the 'arris Jeff.

Bookies best odds:

Warrington 2/9 to win.
Leeds 4/1 to win.
Handicap coupon - Leeds 12 points start.

St Helens 10/11 to win.
Wigan 10/11 to win.
Handicap coupon - scratch.

SL Winner - Warrington 8/11, Wigan 4/1, St Helens 9/2, Leeds 12/1.

I'm not sure if you're aware of this, but sport doesn't always follow the form guide.

Crazy huh?

Enlighten me as well, to our results against wigan before the 07 eliminator?

By my reckoning we were 0/3 against them that season, including 2 at home. Then we trashed them.

By your logic, we'd have lost, because we lost the previous 3 times.

Leeds will need to defend the best yet this season....for EIGHTY minutes.....(with some inspired coaching ideas on attack).

Warrington will have to play their worst yet this season on attack.

rlPractice what you preach!rl

I fail to see yor point Mr Swiftcorn sir. In that post I said an honourable exit against warrington is where the money should be.