The aim of the game is to make finals. Sometimes you win one...but you win jack getting beaten in a semi final and it hurts like hell.

It doesn't hurt so bad at Wembley in defeat when you've had a great day....and you cannot enjoy the highs without some lows.

As a fan at Wembley winner or loser, being respectful to the opposition is class.

Whats every1s thoughts on Ratchford being fit for it? Im hearing he will be risked. For me, i would even chance it if theres any chance of a relapse and we dont see him for the rest of the season.....hell of a big risk for the sake of a big day out.



Wed be better getting him fit and trying to rescue the season at play off time

Sp picks the team and fb he'd play but I agree with rd and play him at HB along side Austin I've stuck up for young DInEC but its stale ATM...for me its mamo josh Goodwin Toby lineham Austin Stephen coops daz hilly Bennie Hughes brown sub's Davis Currie DEC bmm..if all fit..brown at loose gives us a ball playing forward

Line him up...give the opposition something to think about.

No, sorry, not this at all.



It’s horrible enough losing to them in league games, their vile fans would show no grace in victory whatsoever, just because it’s Wembley won’t make it hurt less, make me less angry or suddenly make them stop their horrible sarcastic chants. It would be an horrible day out with a horrible trudge home. Last year was bad enough with every neutral in the stadium cheering on Catalans, willing us to live up to the wan-kee chant.



Finals hurt more.



I’m not saying I want us to lose in semis, I’m saying if we get to finals, make sure we WIN the loving thing!



Side note: does anyone else find the general atmos at Old Trafford to be far more oppressive and aggressive than Wembley? Maybe because it’s Saturday and fans have had all day to drink, but each time, I’ve been party to nasty run ins when leaving the ground and the whole vibe feels less cheerful and welcoming than Wembley.

There's one thing worse than losing at Wembley and thats never losing at Wembley...

Offer that chance to lose at Wembley to Halifax now... they'll rightly snap your hand off!

No question - the GF can be positively unpleasant.



That said - I introduced my now wife to live RL for the Wire v Hudds final at Wembley. She's never gone back to a game since after being sat near some truly horrible and aggressive Wire fans, and questions the wisdom of ever taking our young kids as a result (too young just now).



Yes I know all clubs have them, including ours - such a shame that a few let the majority down on these big days with too much ale in them. My dad has stopped going to the GF because of the drunken morons that frequent it.

One reason a GF loss hurts so much is because it's the last game of the season. Consequently, the pain lasts for 4 months rather just a week.

Reading this post I can see why you’ve had nasty run ins coming out of Old Trafford.

I'd rather we get to a final and lose it than not get there in the first place. You can't win it if you aren't in it. I'd rather have the chance over watching as a neutral every time.

Side note: does anyone else find the general atmos at Old Trafford to be far more oppressive and aggressive than Wembley? Maybe because it’s Saturday and fans have had all day to drink, but each time, I’ve been party to nasty run ins when leaving the ground and the whole vibe feels less cheerful and welcoming than Wembley.



Yes, me. I have been following the Wire for 40 years and did several seasons of away travel in the 1980's & 90's, but I have never felt as uncomfortable as I have done at Old Trafford on GF night. I will definitely not be going back again, however good a team we put together one day (fingers crossed)

100%. It's part of what makes Challenge Cup final day great. Never had any trouble, same can't be said for the GF.