While I agree that Leigh are not guaranteed promotion (just remember the Catalans millionaire game at the LSV, when we were odds on favourites), why is everyone assuming it will be Featherstone in the final? Their form of the last month does not indicate they will get past Halifax who are their most likely opponents in the semi final, and should have won the league game at Fev. earlier this season.

I think it could be either Fax or Barrow and that's not saying that we couldn't slip up.

Agreed that it may not be Fev (or even us though far more likely).
I fancy Fax, Barrow and Batley at their best, could get a win over Fev.

I personally think Batley seem spent now.

Fev themselves, by all reports, seem to be getting their heads back in the game, maybe this the Brian McD storm in form to a final.

This weekend seeing Fev travel to Barrow will be an interesting one to mull over.

There is a definite change of tune coming out of a certain pit village in West Yorkshire at the moment.

Fan's of that village's rugby club are getting a lot chirpier all of a sudden. They are beginning to believe that fortune, and by implication, prospects of success against Leigh in a play off final are improving..

They believe that they are suddenly playing better and that key players who have been out injured are gradually returning to fitness at just the right time in the season. In Ford, they believe that they have at last found the maverick half back to unlock Leigh's normally watertight defence. They are also expressing the view that they think that Leigh have peaked too soon form wise.

For my money there will be two things in particular to look out for in their game against Barrow at the weekend which, for me, will confirm or deny Yorkie grounds for optimism.

Firstly, the result. Barrow are good and dangerous opponents and are playing at home. It will be a good result for Fev if they win.

Secondly, the number of points that they concede. Barrow are a threat in attack so it will be a real test of whether Fev's season long defensive shortcomings have finally been fixed.

If Barrow win and/or Fev concede more than 20 points then I think that the perceived remarkable turnaround in form and prospects is just another false dawn.

Conversely, a win for Fev and a virtual shut out in defence and then they might, just might, be on course to give us more of a game, if both teams compete the play-off final.

Best not to worry about what tuthers are doing. I think we are good hands with Adrian and Chris. If we bring our 'A' game to the 2 playoff games i can only see one outcome and all is leythers would be very happy. Complacency could be a problem but as i say i think that Adrian and Chris are far too smart for that. Probably the biggest decision if both are fit will be who plays stand off.

Yes, Jack, Bongser too noticed the accelerando beat on Fev's forum. Ford had a good game - against all but relegated Dewsbury - suddenly they, with Kheirallah out for the season, think that they have a mast on which to pin their colours. Kopczak's back, others in the offing. Whoopy-ding as a Scots ex-girlfriend used to say.

On the obverse side of the coin, Nene will be back, rested with by then three games under his belt for match fitness, haven't heard Ben R is long term, Amone is already back, Ferguson will have served his head injury probation, who knows with Green, and business end of the season (peaking too early) Leigh nilled a full time team by 60 on the oppo's own midden on Sunday.

Nothing is a given in a one off, but Bongser is guessing "tails".

Sorry, Vanners!

Well it is time to say it I guess.
I truly believe that we will need to have the off day of all off days to not win the two playoff games.
Fev will be getting a couple back but without Kheirallah, I honestly think they don’t have the X factor to break us down. Ford has an above average kicking game but they have to get us under pressure on a repeated basis for that to work. With the likes of Fergy, Nene, Chamberlain and Charnley etc to defend it, no matter what, that will not work. I also think that they don’t have the forwards to put Ford in that position enough to kick on the last, no matter who is back or not back. Our pack is stronger, end of !
This weekend will be very interesting with regards to the Fev result, and I think they will be run close or even beaten, but regardless I believe we have them in a one off game.
Time to count my eggs !
Re who plays 6, LL will be firing on all cylinders by the playoffs, and is a force to be reckoned with. He would be my first choice BUT I’ve already said that BR has had the best season I’ve seen him play. So either way I’m confident in who plays 6.

BnB.
Please check your messages.
Cheers
Paul

So, the debate has started as to who plays at half back in the play-offs.

Mellor plays for me every time. He has been a standout performer all season. I will brook no argument here. Mellor plays.

Reynolds or Lam (junior) at stand off? Ben has played his best season yet for Leigh and to my eyes has improved his game. Lam hints at something special but is clearly, at the moment, still getting a feel for the plays and with his teammates' abilities.

Fate has shown its cruel hand here, literally for Ben. His injury has conveniently allowed Lam to get into the team and to perhaps play more minutes than he would otherwise might have expected to get. Whilst he looked clunky at times against Barrow he again showed touches of real class at times against Newcastle. The try he set up for Joe Wardle was a perfect example. The glide and acceleration into space that nanno seconds before did not appear to exist showed an awareness and athleticism and all round spatial awareness that reminded this old specatator - yes, humour me please on this - with a certain Leigh Great of a bygone era who also played stand-off.

Fleeting moment it was but it showed a glimpse of what i think we can begin to expect on a more regular basis.

Due to Ben's injury Lam has time to bed himself in before the play-offs. If he continues to improve then he plays. It would also be a huge surprise if Lam, who has been signed to come to play for us in Super League did not make the play off final selection. Tough one to call but that is what I think, for what it is worth.

The other point to make is that I do not think we can afford the luxury in a play off final having both Lam and Reynolds in the same match day squad. We have to be brave in selection and that will be unfortunate for one player or the other. The other positions in the squad are needed for interchanges elsewhere.

My final observation is on a different matter altogether. James McDonnell - well played and thank you. Your part in what will hopefully be one of our most enjoyable and successful seasons ever will not be forgotten. Good luck on your future career, except for when you play against Leigh, of course, and, who knows, you might just end up back with us again at some point. If you do, then I for one will be glad to see you back.

woody

Jack, Bongser will give you no argument on Joe Mellor, MUST start if fit. As to stand off, would be equally happy to see Ben or Lachlan depending on whether Ben has had some game time in the interim. If he has, well, a stinker for a Dad but Adrian seems the ultimate pro and will play the one that best fits the game plan for whoever the opposition turn out to be ( ). Pretty sure Vancouver Leyther fancies Lam (not in a Corey Norman sort of way). Will actually meet Vanners for the first time before the York game as he is over from Canada. Looking forward to it.

Also agree that they cannot be in the same 17. We need a second hooker and three other forwards on the bench. Think Asiata will fill in as an emergency half. He and Amone are also musts.

What's the story on Aekins, anyone?

Lam senior has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal and a good few players will be disappointed but they all seem to be mates (think Kieran Dixon - out on loan and unlikely to play in C&W again - was to be seen banging the cajon a few games ago.) Good management!

In the interim we must beat York next and make it 22!

Sendhimoffref - yes, The Great John Woods

Bongser, according to Lam senior in the York pre-match interview, Aekins is back in contention for selection this weekend along with Fergie.

If you are hinting at another story, then sorry, I'm not up to speed on anything else.

Quote: Bent&Bongser "Jack, Bongser will give you no argument on Joe Mellor, MUST start if fit. As to stand off, would be equally happy to see Ben or Lachlan depending on whether Ben has had some game time in the interim. If he has, well, a stinker for a Dad but Adrian seems the ultimate pro and will play the one that best fits the game plan for whoever the opposition turn out to be ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQk_T1lQrR8

Quote: Bent&Bongser "Jack, Bongser will give you no argument on Joe Mellor, MUST start if fit. As to stand off, would be equally happy to see Ben or Lachlan depending on whether Ben has had some game time in the interim. If he has, well, a stinker for a Dad but Adrian seems the ultimate pro and will play the one that best fits the game plan for whoever the opposition turn out to be ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQk_T1lQrR8

The smoke signals emanating from the Leigh area, are that Aekins and O'Donnell are both homesick and wish to return home. Certainly backed up by the Bevan French (At Fullback attempt) or Gareth O'Brien rumours.

Sad to see a chunk of these players disappearing, not for once because they are no longer required, but to meet the Super League criteria.