I'm wondering if possibly 4th may be a good option for us anyway. If the table finished as it is now, we would face Huddersfield away. Although they have beaten us quite a few times in the last few years, I would personally prefer them to either Warrington or Wigan away. This is by no means under estimating Huddersfield's potential as yep it could be their year.

I know that BM wouldn't aim for fourth and will put out the best possible teams. However, aiming for fourth we could rest some players and make sure they don't pick up injuries for the play offs and possibly bring them back for Wigan away. BM would then have an idea of what his best play off squad for round one would be and a tough game at Wigan one build them up nicely to round one.

I could be talking bull here but just a thought and wondered what others think about this ?

Nah. You try and finish as high as you can and who you play you play.

You say you prefer hudds. What if we go all out, finish 3rd and warrington snatch top spot from hudds leaving us to play hudds anyway?

You go to finish as high as you can.

Any intention to "settle" for a particular league position in a bid to avoid one team and as a result end up playing a "favoured" team would be showing a lack of respect for one team, and unnecessary fear of the other. The way things stand I see no reason for Leeds to fear playing any team in the league, at any venue. At the same time, there is also no reason for Leeds to be daft enough to be 100% confident of beating any of the top teams either. Any one of the top 5 teams could potentially win the Grand Final depending on how injuries, form and luck play their part over the next couple of months. The only one thing I will say in Leeds' favour is that a large percentage of the squad have been there and done it numerous times in recent years, and experience is huge at this time of year. If a playoff match gets to the 60 minute mark and Leeds are either ahead or very close, no matter who they're playing or where it is, the opposition should start getting really worried...

This obsession with believing Huddersfield will implode is getting embarrassing now.

They have been growing for a few years now and learning. They are top of the tree at present quite simply because they have been the best team this year.

Personally I would rather play Wigan, for the exact reason I don't want to play Huddersfield. Leeds have the beating of Wigan, just Like Huddersfield have the beating of us.

3rd or 4th. 5th or 1st. It doesn't matter. What will matter will be turning up and being the best team throughout the playoffs. People can go on about possible routes, playoff formats, clubcall etc. At the end of the day all that counts is being the better side over 80 mins. If we do that then we'll win, if we don't then we won't.....it's as simple as that.

Is 4th 'BETTER' than 3rd.....no.
Being the 'BETTER' team....yes.

top 2 is best by a million miles. after that it's turn up and play whoever

3rd would be better than 4th as there is a possibility we could end up with club call.

We've not done too bad out of the clubcall it seems to motivate us that bit more

For Huddersfield to win the league is a big achievement. Unfortunately a lot of the reasons for them being league leaders will count against them in the play-offs. Even Wigan seem to have finally worked out that in order to win gold winning the heats is irrelevant.

I think Wigan were very keen to finish 1st.....that is until it looked most likely that Leeds would finish 4th and they then 'conveniently' had a slump

Agree re Hudds. They look the real deal at this point.

I still have no preference when it comes to playoff opponents. To be the man you have to beat the man.

No Nathan Brown now ... Anderson doesn't seem to tolerate backsliding.

I haven't actually said that Huddersfield will implode. In fact I said it could be their year. What I was asking for opinions about, was that would Huddersfield be a better option than Wigan or Warrington away ? The implode that you mention hasn't happened, what they do lack is big match experience in grand finals and that possibly is a factor in Leeds` favour.

How much big match experience did Leeds have in 2004? There isn't many teams that can match Saints big match experience, how did that go?

You have to start somewhere. Hunger, desire, and work ethic, other than ability, are what makes you winners or losers.

I think it's warranted until they produce the goods in knock out football.

They have been consistent all year, but as time had it crumbled against Warrington in fine style in the CC.

They have a massive monkey to get off their back (as Leeds fans we could relate to that for some time). They are finally equipped and this year is all set-up and they have a great chance of competing in their first GF and first possible SL title.

The above paragraph says it all, covered with 'chances' and 'possibles'. Let's see what they produce when it really matters.......