If you look at the attack stats for the past 3 years you will find we are something like 30 tries a season off being top try scorers after the regular rounds and after the regular rounds this season we were in fact 3rd on tries scored after Cas and Salford. The three seasons before that we were top, 2nd to Wire by 7 and top. There is a difference to how being 3rd sounds to being 30 tries off the pace. I think the stats back up the perception that our attack has not been good for three seasons.

I think the problem is (quote), when we've been bad, we've been "really bad" whereas in most of our wins we have just been bad !!! the only consistency has been............. win or lose we've been boring.
The real worry (imho) is that we weren't much better last season and we certainly wont see an improvement any time soon without a change in coaching personnel.

I agree. I think that stat is a bit misleading.

But all stats aside, no-one who's watched Wigan regularly this season could seriously think that we are a great attacking team.

I can't remember a period when I felt so unexcited when we got close to the opposition line. So often it ends in a turn-over or a Hail Mary ball leading to nothing (and that is one of the most frustrating outcomes of all, because it appears to be our halfbacks' default move, despite it failing again and again).

Add to that our 50% conversion rate, and we're getting close to an explanation as to why we've fallen so far behind.

You have to remember not all of them are rested, some are genuinely injured.
It would be interesting if Salford pull off a shock against Saints. How many Hull players would then come down with a mystery illness.

It doesn't matter. They can rest as many as they want. They've earned the right.

I might be in the minority here as a Cas fan but i would much rather play Wigan in the semi than Saints....I know there is a lot of needle between our 2 clubs but at least at some level there is respect (there has to be if there is needle).

All i see from Saints is disdain towards Cas!

You guys are playing an amazing brand of rugby, and will make very worthy champions.

I can't speak for everyone, but my view is that Cas are now setting the pace - and the onus is on the rest of us to somehow catch up.

Last Sunday ought to have been a salutary lesson to us that if you're not going forward in sport, you're going backward. Whether we will act on it, remains to be seen.

I would guess none, as I think we would rather go to Leeds than Cas in the semi. So a win and 3rd place would still be our target.

Castleford 8 start on the coupon.

Leeds 8 start on the coupon.

Wakefield 8 start on the coupon.

Salford 14 start on the coupon.

Castleford to finish first Leeds Second Hull Third and Saints fourth.

Semis Thursday Cas - Saints Friday Leeds - Hull

No chance of top four for us.

Cas have earned the right to pick whoever they want for what is (for them anyway), a meaningless fixture before it gets serious next week.

If anyone feels aggrieved that we have been cheated out of 4th spot, then refer to the home games against Cas x 2, Warrington, Wakey, Hull, Salford, or the away game at Leigh.

Leeds don't have a start.

Assuming Hull win tonight and we still had 'club call' who would Cas pick? I suspect they'd go with Hull.

Sky bet as now given Huddersfield 6 start.

Cas fans will still be bullish about their championship credentials, but I'd be slightly concerned after last night if I was them. Time will tell if that was a smart coaching move (not bitter btw).

I think if they where playing Hull next week it would have been a bigger issue.The confidence going through that squad has to be sky high and I think it will take more than a heavy defeat when you rest half of your team to dent that.
On another note it shows how well we battled earlier this season when we had more players out through injury.