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!

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.

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)

I don't mind losing in the finals so long as we win our fair share too. By the time of the final it should be a well balanced, even game between 2 teams in form. You won't win all of them. But I don't think we have addressed the reasons why we have lost (6?) finals on the bounce. A mixture of culture and some very ordinary players in key positions.

Yeah, 6.

2012 Grand Final
2013 Grand Final
2016 Challenge Cup
2016 Grand Final
2018 Challenge Cup
2018 Grand Final

For me, finals hurt far more than anything else.

How can losing in a final be worse than losing in a semi final?
A semi final defeat is just sickening...a final day out is that win or lose.

How can losing in a final be worse than losing in a semi final?
A semi final defeat is just sickening...a final day out is that win or lose.

For me f we lose the semi against Hull, it won't be as bad as losing to Saints in the final.

Because you're that much closer to glory. And I hate losing, and seeing another team win.

If I had the hypothetical hindsight choice of losing in a semi or a final, I'd choose the semi every time. Less heartbreak.

There is more money in it for the club when we reach finals. Our directors are as keen - or possibly keener, since they've put so much of their own money in - than us average fans to see the Wire win, but the extra prize money from reaching the final isn't half useful.