Saints were flat out against us 2 weeks before the semis....we never got out of 2nd gear and bombed 6/7 chances without any pressure off Saints to win that game. They then we're flat out against Wigan who won like we should have done the week previous....those 2 games before Catalans beat Saints for them...Catalans were up against a team that were burnt out.

Wire only need to be smart to win that game....it's the first time we've had all our forwards available together since the hardest game all season....the 1/4 final vs Wigan.

I won't be surprised to see Wire beat Saints by 10 or more....The big game is yet to come. I'm only glad it's Cas that Wigan play...they'll really give them a game and a half.

It was a poor performance by Wigan because Wire did not allow you to play.

I'm happy as long as we keep the scoreboard respectful. After last season to be in a CC Final and a GF Semi is unbelievable.

I'll take a loss if its within 6pts. If we go into the final 10 6pts or less behind then who knows. We need to wake up though. We've been way off the past 3 weeks, too much shirt grabbing instead of getting a shoulder in. No composure and throwing the ball out our @r$e instead of taking a tackle. We need at least one half to start getting a grip of the game, shouting at the rest of the team and telling them exactly what they want them to do. at the minute its just ball to first reciever and run, thats not going to get you anywhere.

Oh... and drop Atkins, he loses his head in big games.

Poor?...there was only a score in it for nearly 60 minutes!
It was brutal.

The only team I'd fear....is Cas should they beat Wigan, because when it matters, you can only split Wire and Wigan with a fag paper.

Good luck Thursday, new name on the trophy if you do the bizz and we spoil wanes leaving do.

People can read for themselves and see quite clearly that in order to avoid being proven wrong on all your attempted put downs on my views on this thread, you have fabricated one of my posts and included it in the ‘attempted put down list’. If you like, I can send you a definition of disingenuous.

Also, after initialising this tete a tete with your rude response to my opinion with‘The concern is posts like these (I call it blind faith) attract ridicule from our rivals as they believe we suffer from self delusion"[/i

...you wonder why a poster may respond with a strong rebuke.
Wire71, you’ve bemoaned the fact that I’ve labelled your debate as hypocritical, pious and sanctimonious, yet you fired the first salvo by saying that my viewpoint would attract ridicule and accusations of self delusion- how ironic it is then, that you, Wire71 could be perceived as the deluded one by interpreting my post as anything other than an optimistic and realistic take on the outcome of Thursday’s game. I’m not saying we’re going to win for certain, no-one can call that. But one thing is for certain though, if Wire win; you might want retract your accusations of certain fans being open to ridicule and self delusion just because you thought they were being too optimistic.

Your reply is noted. I have nothing further to discuss with you.

...I will Gaz.
We're going to win, and win with a comfortable margin.

I am reasonably content with this season and would be happy to out with a plucky loss at saints like they did at Cas last year.
If we managed to beat saints (big If) it is all set for a big send off for Wane, Bateman, Tomkins and Sutton. I can just imagine being at Old trafford, 2 scores down with 2 mins to go and try a miracle play and tomkins covers to bundle charnley into touch and the wigan players start celebrating with 2 mins left on the clock then the Sky cameras cut to Wane (i understand he is a really nice guy but i will believe that when he is coaching RU).
I am not saying it is rigged but i would be much happier if i was watching from home with Saints facing that scenario.
I just dont think we are mentally tough / smart enough to win 2 big games on the bounce but happy to be proved wrong.

That's fine with me.

Next time Wire71, you might want to re-consider the demeanour of your language when dissagreeing with an opposing viewpoint; then you'll avoid the need to virtue signal in defence as there will be more likelihood of a diplomatic response.

Right guys, as you've both seem to acknowledge 'what you think the what is' and there is nothing wrong with disagreeing/having an opposing POV can we stick with Rugby League rather than diplomatic protocol henceforth please.

I hope that you get over these two demoralising Wigan performances, KR11.

As a few have said already. We really arent that far off. But, no doubt Saints have been the best all year. We are competing up front....its just 20 yards out against decent defenses that we struggle to get over the line. If it clicks Thursday, who knows. We just have to make sure we compete in the forwards, set the platform and give ourselves a chance!! Look at the fixture at there place we lost last minute. All day long we should of won that...comfortably. It inst an impossible task!

A lot will hinge on the centre/winger partnerships....for me, King has to keep his place with Aktins on the bench. King at centre brings Charnely into the game more...and we need big game players for big matches!! Not sure what compromising pictures Aktins has of Price, but seems to be doing the trick, as there was no need to swap a partnership of King/Charnely, that was doing so well previously.....

Performance ala CC 1/4, gives us a great chance......... then Cas in the final!!

Either way..Thursday is a free hit....and i for one am made up with the season we have had....we were in a right mess and Price has come in and steadied the ship, and he deserves the plaudits for that!!

Oh and play Waterhouse!! haha