I don't get this logic when bashing the play-offs as stupid or unfair. We get people complaining that the League Leaders Shield should be given more prestige because the winners have come out on top after a 27 game season, but then Catalan are perceived as 'the easier fixture' after finishing a place ahead of St Helens. How can that be? Yes, in this instance Catalan would have a tiring trip to Warrington whilst we end up with a hotly-contested derby fixture, but there's no play-off structure that can mitigate against that. You can't argue with the league table.

For me, given that we possibly face a three-game series against Saints with only the last one really counting for anything, I'd rather get the inevitable defeat out of the way in this week's dead rubber - but then that would probably leave us not facing them in the play-offs until the final, should we both get there. If we go 4-0 up for the season against them on Friday, I'm not sure I'd fancy our chances the following week in the first round play-off. Surely Saints couldn't screw a fixture up five times in a row?

Beat them soundly and break them mentally.... Thats what you do in sport... ***face palm***

In my thirty years of watching Wigan RL I'm quite sure that I've never walked into a ground not wanting my team to win. The fact it is St Helens even more so.

Smash um. We'll worry about what happens after that next week.

Wane has had all season to do that (re:Widnes). At this time of the season we need form. Full strength and match fitness all the way. There is no time left for experimenting or resting.

That's true he has had all season to tinker with the squad, but I reckon dropping Mossop and McIlorum for example, a week before the play offs could push them to regain the form shown earlier in the season whilst giving some valuable exposure to Dudson/Fielden/Crosby and Powell/Logan. Having said that I do wholly understand the form argument also. Perhaps we should roll over in the first half so they will definitely win, then play for form in the second half. Hang on, maybe that's what we were doing yesterday!



Personally I would drop/rest anyone who is carry a knock or looking particularly fatigued and tell the lads to go out and focus on the basics, completing our sets, not giving away daft penalties and defending well. I do think it would be more beneficial for us in the play offs for us to lose the game, but if we beat them with a few players out whilst using the game more as a training excercise, then we should be very confident of turning them over a week later with a full squad fighting for a week off and semi final spot.

Of course we want to win but I wouldn't be taking any major risks if players are carrying knocks. I'd like to see Fielden given a run out, derby game, we are already guarenteed top of the league, what better chance for him to stake a place for himself in our play off side.

I'd run with something like

1. Sam Tomkins
2. Josh Charnley
3. Darrell Goulding
4. George Carmont
5. Pat Richards
6. Brett Finch
7. Tommy Leuluai
8. Lee Mossop
9. Mike McIlorum
10. Ben Flower
11. Harrison Hansen
12. Gareth Hock
13. Sean O'Loughlin

14. Stuart Fielden
15. Jeff Lima
16. Liam Farrell
17. Matty Smith

i do not care if we win or lose as long as we show some purpose and not the pathetic crap we have been served for the past 10 weeks. we need to show composure, attacking structure and defense. the following should be dropped as they have not performed: Mossop, Micky Mac, Finch, might give them the kick up the they need rather than thinking they are guaranteed to be on the team sheet.

For the Saints game I'd like to see this team -

Tomkins
Charnley
Goulding
Carmont
Richards
Finch
Leuluai
Lima
Smith
Lauaki (assuming he's fit, if not Fielden)
Hansen
Hock
O'Loughlin

McIlorum
Mossop
Dudson
Farrell

Dudson was very good before his injury and deserves a chance to stake his claim for a place in playoff team. McIlorum and Mossop were shocking once again against Rovers but both could make a huge difference if we're going to reach the Grand Final, so drop them to the bench and make sure they realise that (in McIlorum's case) with Leuluai/Smith and (in Mossop's case) Dudson/Fielden back to fitness and pushing for places their selection is not guaranteed if they don't pick up.

We beat Leeds soundly but didn't break them mentally! Beating Saints now counts for nothing and so I would play reserves and players coming back from injury. It won't be the same team the following week so nothing given away.

That against

1. Paul Wellens
2. Tommy Makinson
3. Michael Shenton (if fit)
4. Josh Jones
5. Francis Meli
6. Lance Hohaia
7. Jonny Lomax
8. Josh Perry
9. James Roby
10. Anthony Laffranchi
11. Tony Puletua
12. Sia Soliola
13. Jon Wilkin

Bench

14. Gary Wheeler
15. Mark Flanagan
16. Paul Clough
17. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook

Wigan should have little problems if any at all on Friday in my honest opinion.

Come on Bradford!