Huge blow for Wakey. They've rallied a little since Smith came in and were looking a slightly better side. He's a dangerous player and hasn't been there long so it's a big loss for them.

So the Middle 8s are virtually confirmed, and the fixtures are

I think HKR and Widnes will be fairly comfortable in the top 2, Fax and Sheffield likely to be in the bottom 2.

I don't see much between us, Leigh, Wakey and Salford. With a fit squad we might finish 3rd but I could also see us in 6th

According to the T&A, noises coming out of Castleford, suggest we've sighed Clare their winger [on DR] who has been out on loan elsewhere.

Strangely, before the game, we were [only half] joking, that the three players Steve Ferres mentioned at the forum would be three props or three wingers..

How much have Wakey really improved? If we look at the games Smith has been in charge, away to Catalans, they put in a decent shift, but Catalans have been poor this season and you usually get an upturn in performances when a new coach comes in anyway (Look at last year with Webster)

Then Hull at home, Wakey had the weekend off. Hull had both HB's missing. Then Hull away. Hull's third game in a week, but still managed to beat them. They lost comfortably to Warrington, and have been hammered by Cas. Wakey fans can probably answer better than me. Still think they're the most vulnerable, along with Salford.

Problem Wakey have is they seem to have had a big turnover in players the last few week and mainly on short term deals. Ok some are better quality than the ones that left, but will their hearts really be in it to try and do everything possible to save Wakefield?

Look at a lot of our players, Gaskell, Sidlow, O'brien, you can tell they really care about the club, have a great rapport with fans and really want Bradford get promoted.

Can the same be said for Jordan Tansey, Ian Kirke, Craig Hall? Do they have the character to keep Wakey up?

I have a theory that Wakefield and Salford are more than vulnerable in these play offs....

Both clubs have turmoil off the field and I think both will be at psychological low.

Certainly at Salford where Brian Mac's comment about things he has heard "internally" spoke volumes for me.

I must be very difficult for the players there to focus on the job in hand?

Wakefield - I am hoping Brian Smith has lost his touch and their squad remain in the "losing habit"

Hull KR are far too good for any team in the playoffs.

Widnes - as above but less consistent - Leigh may well turn them over.

I have a hope we can make it back up to SL - but not a prediction

Also worth bearing in mind, the middle 8s are televised and you'd imagine we'd get on a few times. Anybody know what day of the week these will be on? You'd think the fixtures vs Leigh and Wakey are absolute shoe-ins to be on.

I think the TV games for Middle 8's are on the Saturday. Sure I read that somewhere recently.

I don't think they're any worse than they were when Webster was in charge. I honestly couldn't see them beating anyone when he was in charge and even though they beat an understrength Hull, I couldn't see that happening with Webster at the helm.

I do agree with everything else though. Locke has real quality, and without him they look very ordinary indeed. Definitely the most vulnerable of the SL sides.

I think that H K R on their own turf look the strongest but hopefully their minds will be elsewhere if they beat Wire......maybe their large crop of foreigners would see a Wembley appearance as being of prime importance as opposed to someone with a local connection....here's hoping . Wakey are a basket case and Salford seem to be getting that way. Widnes are a bit unfathomable away from home and maybe we could match them. With a couple of strike players in the team I would fancy us against the other Championship teams and hopefully Gaskell and Mullaney are fit to play some part at least. I still keep hankering back to Sammut at Workington and what sort of contract he is on. It always seemed a strange move and maybe there are other factors involved.

I am quite excited about the M8's what with the internal turmoil at Salford and with Locke's injury who has been a big assist to Wakefield lately.

I would never have imagined for a second, that these teams would be in such disarray at this point in the season.

What an opportunity to have going into the M8s ... Unbelievable !!

I think Sammut is too much of a wildcard this late in the day. It's either all or nothing from him and whilst his all is great his nothing is a frustration we don't need. He's a big fish in a small pond at Workington, I don't think he'd have that magical an effect on us.

Bumped into Sammut in the chippie on Friday night and when he was asked who Workington were playing this weekend he seemed to have real difficulty remembering.......or was it simply lack of interest! Either way I don't think it would be a good move for a short term return to Bulls.