Saints may not be favourites but it would not rank as an upset if they won. They have masses of experience, a big pack and fast, skilful outside backs. They have done a great job of talking themselves down, I'll give them that, but their record this year speaks for itself. If we get sucked into a scrap like in the home game then we could struggle. If we stand toe to toe, then we should have enough in 1 to 7 (and 13) to see us home. Whoever wins will have had to play very well, which is as it should be.

If you put Billinge St. Helens on the address it gets crossed off and Wigan put on. It does delay the letter arriving.

I know because a lot on my outlaws do it (I'm sure it's deliberate

)

The correct address is Billinge Nr Wigan WN5 no matter whether it's higher or lower end.

The one thing we don't have is masses of experience. At least not of finals. We have a very inexperienced team in this context. Of those playing, only Makinson, Wello, Hohaia, Soliola and Robes have played in a final before. Hohaia, Wello and Robes are the only ones to have WON a final before. Even our coach is inexperienced in this context.

I think if Saints won I think it would rank as an upset. Not a single pundit or anyone is giving us a chance at all.

It would be an upset for sure, similar to when Wigan won the CC in 2002.

Whilst you never go out to lose a game its been very clear that Wigan can shift gear in the important games (CC semi-final aside). I have not seen Saints play at the intensity that Wigan have done in recent weeks.

Brown needs to come up with a different game plan on Saturday, one that does not include Flanagan at 7.

I think thats a masterstroke lol

To give credit where its due I think Nathan Brown has done a great job in getting them to the final, I just think that he will need to change their approach significantly to trouble Wigan on Saturday. They need bags of aggression early doors and lots of second phase play at the right end of the field but without a half-back its going to be very difficult for them.

Surely they must have a better option than Flanagan at 7?

Saints went into the season with only Walsh and Hohaia as halfbacks. They had the chance to give Charnock and Hewitt some game time but chose not to. Wigan on the other hand when they lost Green to injury gave Powell, Williams and Hampshire first team experience.

The basic title of this thread and the rationale behind it makes sense! Saints did finish top, they had the easier semi final and had a day extra rest.
Much has been made about their injuries but to be fair, we had the worst run of injuries I can remember for years! Charnley, Burgess, Green, Thornley, Goulding, Flower, Pettybourne, McIllorum, Lockers have all been out for big chunks of the season through injury!
It's only the last few weeks we've had any fluency with consistent selection of what on paper might be seen as our strongest team and we've really hit good form. That's the reason most people are not giving Saints a chance.
Personally I don't think Saints are gonna roll over and are still capable of getting the win. They'll have to fire on all cyclinders and hope we have a bad day (of which we've had plenty this year) but I think Wigan by 14.

Interesting point and I didn't realise that was the case. Im not familiar with the younger players at Saints but you can definatley see how Wane has given our younger players a chance and how they now look comfortable taking their place in the team.

Surely Hohaia would be a better option than Flanagan?

Thanks or putting me straight, Rogues. How friendly is this thread? It's not exactly Millwall-West Ham firm rivalry is it



Got my tickets for Sat. Can't wait!

There have been so many "upsets" this season that I don't think anyone is taking this game for granted, least of all Waney and the boys. While some of the upsets can perhaps be put down to the favourites taking things easy in the regular season, that can't be said to apply in the CC and the playoff games, where we've seen a lot of underdogs go on to beat more fancied opposition.

Having said that...Wigan by 12