So in the last week or so we made it to the Challenge Cup Semi and drew Hull KR, surely giving us the best shot at making it to Wembley. Then the boys put in an awesome effort against the Pies at a rocking HJ stadium, which along with some great results elsewhere (Hull losing to Wakey, HKR losing to Hudds and Catalans losing to Salford) has taken us back up to 6th and eased fears of a drop to the bottom 4.

Our current situation is that we have 3 remaining fixtures before the split; Wakey away, Saints home and Cas away. Taking into account the other fixtures, we're pretty nailed on to finish 6th UNLESS we lose all 3 of the remaining fixtures (in which case we'll probably finish 8th).

Dropping into the bottom 4 would require some unlikely results on top of us losing all our games;
If Hull win the derby they would still have to beat Cas or Wigan & HKR would then need to beat both Salford and Saints.
If HKR win the derby they would still have to beat Salford or Saints & Hull would then need to beat both Cas and Wigan.
Also Catalans would need at least a point from their remaining fixtures which isn't guaranteed with their run in.

So assuming we manage at least 1 win, our Super 8 fixtures will probably be as follows:
Catalans (H), Hull KR (H), Wigan (H), Leeds (A), Saints (A), Cas (A), Hudds (A)

So given we'll most likely be going into that run of fixtures 6/8 points adrift of the top 4 it looks extremely unlikely that we'll be making it to the Playoffs this year. Or maybe I'm just being a pessimist. What do we reckon the rest of 2015 holds for the Wire?

What now? A league and cup double obviously, followed by some grovelling apologies to Mr smith...including one from myself.

Perhaps the pressure is was what TS needed.
Had the success of the previous years got him far too cosy in his position?
He certainly made some changes to his approach recently being seen in a track suit and taking pre match training sessions.

Odious rodent.

We need Huddersfield to drop points. That's our only realistic way of reaching the semis. Meanwhile, we still have a good day out at Headingley to look forward to.

We screwed the league up ages ago.

Best chance is the CC which we could well win, but we could just as easily get snotted in the semi.

Without wishing to put a downer on things somehow I'm reminded of that Harvey Keitel line from Pulp Fiction -"Let's not suck each others' d**ks just yet"

We won't make the top four. The recent Huddersfield and Hull KR away collapses left us with too much to do.

Thursday night put us back on track to avoid middle eight ignominy though, and although I think Leeds will win the Cup, we've got a very good chance of at least joining them at Wembley. Given how the season has been I think that would be far from disastrous.

Our results against Leeds this season would give us a bit of hope too if it does end up us V them in the CCF. Given our definite signings of Lineham and Gidley, plus the hoped for high quality "marquee" signing to come who will fingers crossed be a top level 6 or 7, plus the promising emergence of a couple of the young lads this year with a bit more SL experience under their belts then I expect us to be challenging at the top end again next year.

Our two biggest games at the moment are in my opinion Wakefield which will more or less ensure top eight if we win it, then HKR in the semi. Anything else we get will be a bonus. I remember in 2009 we started preparing for the semi V Wigan early, then were outstanding on the day and again V Huddersfield despite indifferent league form. We ended up tenth but no one cared because our first Challenge Cup in 35 years was in the cabinet.

We could see something special brewing though, and sure enough the following year we defended the Cup and shot up to third in SL before topping it twelve months after that. From tenth to first in two years. That gives me plenty of optimism.

Excellent post. Sums up our short terms position perfectly. However, I do think that if we beat KR, then on our day we could be a match for anyone in a Wembley Cup Final.

The semi and the Wakefield games should be our priorities. The money generated from a Wembley appearance should set us up for a year or two's good recruitment. The Wakey game should guarantee top eight, in which really we stand little chance of progression, but our history of top flight rugby will be intact.

The treble is still on, I don't know why anyone is worried

well as for this week, im predicting NO ban for Simms and meltdown on the Wigan board.

I shall copy your lottery nos this week MD viewtopic.php?f=28&t=585072&view=unread&sid=52e3690d29ed2385369807f21fb2b556#unread

I shall copy your lottery nos this week MD viewtopic.php?f=28&t=585072&view=unread&sid=52e3690d29ed2385369807f21fb2b556#unread

Hoping we can put a strong team out against wakey .this was looking like a gimme a couple of weeks ago but, looks like being a much tougher game now

Someone please correct if I am misunderstanding the super 8 format.....but I do not understand why so many fans are saying we have messed our chances up of making the play offs ages ago? we have 10 games left to make 4 points up on Hudds and Cas? If form from the Wigan game remains then why is that so impossible? I cant wait for when the play offs start and Phil Clarke has to stop saying 'Warrington have no chance Eddie'