2010 - We went into the play offs in good not great form, having won 2 from our last 3 (and 4 from our last 6). We also lost our first play off game to Leeds, only to beat them two weeks later and go on to win the final.
2011 - We went into the play offs in great form, having won 10 of our last 11 games, seldom rotating the squad along the way. We looked knackered when we got to the play offs and went on to get knocked out by getting beat by Saints twice in three weeks
2012 - Good not great form, having won 2 from the last 3 (5 from our last 7). Again little rotation. McIlorum got himself banned in a dead rubber against Saints, forcing us to run with O'Loughlin at hooker. We ended up getting knocked out by Leeds

Play off football might be partly about momentum, but it's definitely not all about momentum. The last thing we want is to have our hand forced by injuries or suspensions.

I think the loss to Leeds in the first playoff game in 2010 galvanised the squad (especially the manner in which we got beat) and ensured we wouldn't lose the return game.

The first game against Saints in 2011 unfortunately did not have the same effect as we had won a bruising CC final not a month previously. As you say, we were rightly knackered after playing Wire straight afterwards and then fielding a full strength squad in what was a dead rubber v Crusaders (one of MM's few mistakes imo)

Last year we were just very unlucky. The loss to Wire aside, we still won the LLS with a game to spare with a morale-boosting comeback win at KR. McIlorum's rush of blood coupled with Sam's injury for the Leeds game really cost us. Had we had Sam and MM playing, with Lockers at LF, we would have gotten to OT again. Would we have beaten Wire in the final? Who knows. I would suspect we would have as I didn't think Wire were that special on the day and some of their players lacked experience in that atmosphere. At least most of our players were still from the class of 2010.

Hopefully we'll get the rub of the green this year, but I think the CC will impact on some team's preparations. Leeds and Saints could well have an advantage going into the final few weeks.

Thats Huddersfield For you

Final league position?

Quite possibly 4th. (serious).

no thread on the vt tonight saying how bias and poor the ref was?

I think so

3rd.

So 3rd or 4th in a one horse race.

Perhaps more likely than 4th. 4th would require leeds to beat you in the final game, but you should have recovered from wembley by then.

A win at catalans with a weaker team would be a bonus which could see you hang on to 2nd.

I can't see hudds or wire losing again and Leeds
have every chance of doing us
Also how many games will Sam play before play offs

Ill take 4th, we play better away from home anyway.

This run in has turned into a bit of a mess, I only hope Waney has got a masterplan for a champagne finish.

Finishing 4th will be infinitely better than finishing 2nd or 3rd now and probably playing Wire twice. Despite tonight Huddersfield will be the better option in the playoffs.

Unfortunately Leeds will be thinking the same and making sure they finish 4th and not 3rd. Exactly the reason the current playoff system is flawed.

We really need to go out there and take the P.

Field the under 21's

3rd or 4th. Doesn't really matter, we won't reach the GF. Leeds and Warrington again for me.