I actually think losing Galloway will have more of an impact than some people think.
Whilst not spectacular he does the hard yards that others are going to have to cover.
The same applies to Ferres who again gets some stick but both him and Galloway add that bit of experience to the pack.
Hopefully the pitches dry out and the sun starts to shine and we can start moving the ball about with quick play the balls.
For me Saints are still a threat as i predicted several weeks ago.
Let's hope they lose their next game.

It's slim, but not that slim. Look how Hull have fallen from grace. It's not out of the question for a team, possibly Wigan, to do the reverse and climb the table just as quickly. Like I say, by the end of next weekend we could see Wigan only 3 points off a semi final place, and the format of the Super8's means that every game is a 4 pointer. It's not like you're winning games and your opponents are beating some deadbeats to stay clear, everyone is taking points off one another. We all know how much Wigan dislike the biggest club in Superleague, and they won't need any extra motivation to climb the table and beat us in the process. I thought Warrington showed great line speed and intensity to beat Wigan on Thursday, something we will have to more than match to put Wigan's league campaign to bed.

Wigan have 8 games to make up 5 points. Though with pts difference and the relative rarity of draws thats realistically 6 points.

to make up 6 points from 16 is difficult but it becomes much more difficult in the 8s format because clubs play each other. So best case scenario for Wigan is that Saints beat Wakefield and Hull, and Hull beat Wakefield, which would mean that Wigan need to gain 3 wins to be level on points and more likely 4 wins. Out of 8 games that looks a hugely tough ask. Then you take in to account if any of those three sides get victories over Hudds or Leeds or Cas or Salford and Wigan are needing to gain 5/6 games and pretty soon it is going from difficult to impossible.

Right now Wigan need to not only be aiming for 7 or 8 wins in the next 8 games, but are already needing results to go their way. Personally i think they are almost done, id even say that if Saints dont win this weekend they are out of it as well.

As i said before we implemented this new system, there is a problem with the mathematics of the Super 8s in seeing clubs move up from 7th/8th up to the 4 because the fact clubs play each other its only a narrower and narrower set of results that can see movement in league positions.

If you want Wigan and Saints to miss out its really up to the other teams to stand up. Whilst Smokey's right on the maths meaning its difficult for sides to move a long way in the 8s, part of the reason we haven't seen much movement before is because most sides have given up before they start. This year no side in the top 8 ought to be in that position as they all stand a chance of getting in. If every team goes all out in every game then Wigan and Sts will struggle to move up, but if the likes of Salford (entirely possible) and Wakefield (less likely but possible) implode then two top 4 spots could be up for grabs.

Well with Leeds at least, the less said about the Warrington prediction the better although I'd guess most posters are in the same boat with that one.

People talk about false positions but I think 3rd is about right. Although we currently sit 2nd I think fans of most clubs above Wigan (barring Cas) would accept that Wigan would be above them if they hadn't had it so bad with injuries.

With Saints it's all about away form. 1 win from 10 all year and 5 of their remaining 8 are away from home. Realistically they need to win at least 3 of those 5 away games to have a chance which will be a big ask given their away record.

Really need to beat Wakey away this weekend which won't be easy, whilst a loss wouldn't rule them out mathematically by any stretch I think they just need to start showing they can win away. Also a loss and probable 6th spot would result in away trips to Cas and Leeds.

Can't be a***d with the maths minutae but long winning sequences are pretty rare events these days. Saints and Wigan will struggle to make the play offs IMO.

When does Barba get to play - he could really be the x-factor for Saints

One of those would almost certainly be Hull though (if Wakefield and Salford are losing all their games, Hull are winning at least 2 meaning saints need to gain 4 wins in 8 games, Wigan/Hudds 5)

I don't discount a team imploding, Salford arent in the greatest form at the moment, but when you talk about Saints getting in you need 2 teams to really struggle, Wigan/hudds its 3/4 teams to really struggle.

Personally i think its 4 of the current top 5 with an outside chance Saints could sneak in. Could very well be guaranteed to be that after this weekend as we play Wigan, Saints v Wakefield and Hull v Hudds, 3 home wins and Wigan Hudds Saints are realistically out

The 4th round of the 8's. Can they stay in touch between now and then?

Depends on their fixtures - so if its Huddersfield, Wakefield, Salford maybe if its Cas, Leeds and Wigan maybe not

After tonight's games:

HOME - St. Helens, Wigan Warriors, Hull FC, Wakefield Trinity/Salford Red Devil's.
AWAY - Castleford Tigers, Huddersfield Giants, Salford Red Devil's/Wakefield Trinity.

Wakefield get beat by St. Helens by 15 or more points then we have Salford at home & Wakefield away.

I'm very happy with them fixtures.

Looking at the table Castleford are guaranteed a top 4 place already.