I'd take 8th spot and 'dead rubbers' over the risk of demotion. Like someone has pointed out it only takes injuries and/or a red card!
Top 8 would see us apart of bigger crowds AND a chance to beat the biggest sides and get some confidence for next season.

Hate the CC but still I'm hoping for an 100% effort in all our games.

A CC final and a finishing position of 8th would be better than last season! It can still happen.

The way the early season has gone it's got to be the cup game,just to keep some small glimmer of interest going.
Not that I believe this team has any chance of winning of the CC.

how can you hate the cup?

To explain it better I don't like the format it is now. I'd like all SL teams to start 2-3 rounds before.

It seems almost pointless we can get to a final in only a few short games. The cup is too short for SL teams.
It doesn't build up any interest for me.

they had to shorten the games somehow for the players, if its to benefit the international game them im for it but know what you mean

cant see easter being two games for much longer

We only need to pick up a few wins to make the 8, we need a good run but we can do it

Failing that. We have to be top 3 in the middle 8

Last night was really of no consequence for either club. Lose and you probably drift aimlessly towards the middle 8's, win and you scramble hopelessly towards 8th place with no chance of being involved in a top four play off. The season will be realistically over for one club next Friday. A run in the Challenge Cup means the season doesn't just wither away, but the wrong result at about 10pm next Friday and every subsequent game is meaningless. I think both teams would have enough to avoid a potential banana skin in the million pound play off game by the way.

Meaningless? Nah- not for either. Only one of us will make top eight -For the other team the million pound game needs to be avoided and all the other sides will up their game to claim a big scalp. If that same team that's trying to avoid the million pound game is in the CC it puts more pressure on and less chance for rest. It also means that intensity of games will fluctuate. One team could be playing Halifax or Featherstone the weeks before the cup final. Hardly the best preparation. For the other team who does make the top 8- well both our teams are blooding youngsters a great opportunity to develop their game and ensure that they have masses of experience playing against the top sides.
So I don't see that either club will see any subsequent game as meaningless.

I think you make a bold statement claiming that "only one of us will make the top 8". How about neither team making the top 8 ? You beat us in a tight game last night, don't let it go to your head. Only Watkins would be a certain starter in the backs if we had a full squad to pick from.Hardaker, Tom Briscoe, Moon, Hall and McGuire would all have played, and we had 4 forwards out that would have started if fit. The Million Pound game is not something that will concern Leeds, when we get something like a squad available, we have enough to finish top 3 in the middle 8's. Your claim that either club will not see a Challenge Cup exit rendering subsequent games meaningless, is something that the money men at either club will trot out. The cold hard facts are that not many spectators will look forward to paying out good money to watch either club play the likes of Fev at home. If the lack of atmosphere amongst your fans last night was anything to go by, many have given up this season already.

It's not a bold statement. I feel that they won't both make the top 8- only one of us or indeed neither. Only watkins a certain starter? if I were you I'd drop Watkins he's an absolute pile of pants this season - the German looks much better. I'd be looking to move hall on too. The million pound game should concern Leeds. There's no guarantee that you will get anything like a squad available- and if they are continually rushed back they won't be 100% you don't have the leadership to necessarily pull things out of the bag like you may have done in the past in the million pound game. Leigh almost did a number on you before so any championship side will fancy their chances with nothing to lose. Pressure on Leeds.
I disagree that spectators won't turn up- theyve turned up against 3 of the teams already and they will be more hopeful of a win against the others and interested to look at other teams. perhaps Leeds fans are more fickle.

Either team can make the 8, all it takes is a few wins on the bounce

Though right now I can see the Giants more likely to reach the 8...

That said I'd bet if Leeds ended up in that do or die game, thereally is no way they'd be allowed to lose and the whole format would be changed...I'd say a move back to a 14 team league

No, you are confusing Leeds with Wigan. It was Wigan that should have been docked points for cheating the salary cap and relegated when they were near the bottom of the league back in 2006. Always remember this FACT, Leeds are the only club to have won Superleague without ever breaking the salary cap. Astonishing, but true. That is why Leeds are held in such high esteem.

Or without being caught breaking the cap.....

doesnt matter if you finish 9th or 12th in sl as you start on 0 points for the middle 8's

still hoping for a top 8 finish even if it means that some games will not mean much for us other than preparing us for next season knowing we will be in sl

The higher up you finish you get one extra home game. That means a lot in terms of success