But Leigh are..A little food for thought there..

note to atomic:
I accept you are favourites for the tie and that, on current form, could match or beat manny SL teams.
However, please file judgement until you have played Warrington, Saints or Huddersfield. A lucky set of draws could keep you away from these but any one could be your downfall.

I'd think that too Leigh and Bradford the CC would be a hindrance this season, no good going on a good cup run and falling short on the promotion side.

I hope to god we put 50 on them and bring them back down to earth, all this faux 'buzz about the place' stuff is cringeworthy. Some of their supporters (not unlike some of our own TBF) really are living in the clouds.

Mike,

Having lived in Leigh for more years than I care to remember, there is definitely more of a 'buzz' (or feeling of optimism, or feelgood factor, call it what you will) than I've experienced for many a year. Obviously the team is doing very well, but I think it's also that the club appears to be, again for the first time in many a year, a genuine family, community club.

I accept that this Salford team looks like it is beginning to fulfil its potential, but no way will you put 50 past this team - they are much to skilful and full of pride to allow that. Don't forget, you are the guys with plenty to lose!

The only thing we've got to lose is the game. That's it.

Maybe it's just me, but the Challenge Cup used to be a real event. Something everyone looked forward to. These days, it's just a distraction. Its pull has certainly waned, although I understand the excitement from supporters of top Championship sides to see where their teams stand against SL opposition. The trouble is, they're just one off games and don't represent the week in week out of SL opposition. So even trying to judge your team against SL opposition in the cup is flawed.

I think the game will not live up to the hype. I think Salford will run out easy winners. Unless we're forced to field an academy squad due to injuries. I think Leigh will do themselves justice, but wont win if Salford field a strong side.

One day we'll get York or Sheffield away. One day...

Best hanging on a few years until either of them have somewhere to play home games.

You assume I'm particularly d about making it to the ground from either city's fine hostelries. In Sheffield's case, scrap the ground and scrap going to Doncaster, it'd just be a day out in the Sheffield Tap.

I'd suggest that losing against a Championship side could have a knock-on effect at a SL club? (How would Marwan rate it?

)

Also, it's not just the excitement of a Challenge Cup tie against a SL club that's gripping our supporters - 7,500 v Bradford (with admittedly a couple of thousand from the Bulls) and 4,500 against London, with admittedly a couple of dozen from the Broncos!

) in the Championship, so far.

Yes, Salford should win, but don't forget that Leigh are a full-time club too, so just won't roll over.

As for whether Hock will play or not, well he hasn't turned out for us so far, and we've done ok.

It wasn't flawed against Leeds last year. Remember what Jamie Peacock said? We were worried there, we were worried.
Leigh are a much stronger and a full time team now. have a care.

With a name like yours Gaz Hocks going to be your bestest ever mate