Firstly, it's Wigan Saints so obviously I want to win the game and win well.

However, as NSW says it's all about the GF meeting (possible) so if we lose this one and Saints win 3-2 for the season but we take the cup semi and the GF then who will really care? They can have the shield. So what? You don't win the league. It's called the League Leaders Shield, not the Winners Shield. The GF is what counts and what will be remembered.

We are a lot closer to them than we were 12 months ago, of course we are, but we still have plenty to fix up to be seen as favourites against them so I'm more interested in seeing if we have fixed those and what Cooper brings to the pack against them. Fix up the errors and the cheap penalties and let's see where we end up.

I think Peet will play the strongest squad with a view to putting a marker down for our next meet (if we win of course).

Then rest some players for HKR.

If Leeds beat Hudds and we win Friday then we can shuffle the deck ahead of the playoff and try to get players as fresh as we can.

Like the Magic game I still think the most important thing when looking forward to a [ipotential[/i GF is to make sure its close and competitive. We wouldn't want to be going into a playoff game against Saints off the back of a comprehensive defeat against them.

Other than that the biggest reward is the 2 points, the possibility of nailing down 2nd and being able to rest some players. Whether we do that this week or against Hull KR it doesn't really matter.

We need to win full stop.

We have to show we need it more than they do. No excuses for them out working us in this one.

So Will "made of biscuits" Hopoate is out for Friday. Could be a long night for us.

Will either be Welsby at 1 with Roby at 7 which hasn't worked every game we've tried it, or Bennison at 1 with Simm on the wing. That's my least favourite option. Either way its another patched up backline up against a good team with genuine pace.

That's 3 out of the first choice back 5 injured, 4 if you include Matautia and 4 out of the first choice 1-7 if you include Dodd.

I know teams get injuries but ours are all in the backs up against 2 of the best players in the competition in the backs

Excuses in early Stu

Just being honest. It's easier to deal with injuries when they are spread through the team. Unfortunately for us they are all in the backs. Even Matuatia can cover well at centre, he played for Australia at centre.

If the injuries were in the forwards I'd feel more confident as Wigan's pack isn't as good as their backs. However when you have Field, French (and Marshall) to be fair up against a patched up backline then naturally there are concerns.

I don't expect us to win on Friday but I'll be there regardless and I'm still confident in a GF if Hopoate and Matautia are back and we don't get any more injuries. That's even without Percival who I don't think we will see again this year.

Well you did lose the semi with Percival and Makinson in your backs pace to burn only didnt burn fast enough to catch Marshy.
I have us winning by 8 regardless of who or who might not play for St Helens and in the GF I also would have us winning whoever plays for Saints.

Of course you could win both games.

I know you think Saints fans bleat about injuries too much and I know that Wigan still have 3 out but its interesting that Wigan are favourites for Friday. They are -2 with the bookies. -2.5 with Bet365.

That for me tells you everything about Friday. When was the last time Wigan were favourites against Saints? I bet its been a few years.

Well we are at home for a start,and only just favourites,and yes I think saints fans do go on too much about players missing as it is a great excuse when you lose.
I also think if you had a full squad and we have a full we could still win unlike you when you say 100% you would win.

Saying all of that I bloody cant wait for Friday (2 more sleeps

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