I was thinking Wire were going to go into the play-offs as favourites, however... first off they have to go to Saints and win there, then, providing we beat Leeds on Sunday, will have to beat them again to get to OT...

That's a big leveller imho. This weekends games are massive!

If we lose to Leeds it will probably mean we will have had a man sent off or binned whereas the Rhinos will not have.
I am getting ever more worried about Leeds opponents, whoever they are, having men sent off for 10 or altogether when Leeds, who are usually the instigators, are allowed to have a full team on the field.
The performance of the referee worries me far more than how Wigan play.
If we can keep 13 on the field for the 80 then I'm convnced we'll win.

As for Wire and Saints, who knows, too close to call. I think we are a better team all round than either of those two sides but there's been hardly anything between the three when they've played each other all season.

I just think they are, personal opinion.

They should have won the game at the HJ and they took your pack apart at the DW. They've also just won back to back cups.

Wigan have done well to finish top, but I think a lot of that was to do with new tactics early in the year - you've looked vulnerable against the good sides lately.

Anyway, I suppose it will all come out in the play-offs, I could be miles wide of the mark. Wouldn't be the first time.

I don't think we will choke. I just think Warrington are a better side and if it comes to a GF Wigan v Wire, I think we will be outdone. Mind you, next year with the signings we have made, I'm optimistic for next year, and proud for what we have achieved already this year.

In the game v Wire at the DW, MM only played two props, mistake!
The Wire pack did take the Wigan forwards apart, Briers also gave an absolute master class, so we are told. Yet they only won by 7. It was also O'Loughlin's first game back after being out for weeks.

Note the following two games away at Hull and Leeds when sadly MM was back home, Wane fielded four props and Wigan were convincing winners in both matches.
Wire may have the bigger name players and the most expensive squad but I believe that Wigan are by far a better team.

I have no idea how you can say Wigan are "by far" the better team when Wire would have beaten you twice this year (and finished level on points) had Solomona not dropped the ball over your try line.

Neither team is better "by far" than the other, but Wire look stronger to me.

The backs are where i feel we have lost games this year. It is vital we have Carmont & Gleeson playing all through the play offs.

Bradford loss - lost Carmont on 20 mins, Joel to centres and effectively lost two players as Joel was poor in the centre
Quins loss - Bailey in the centre and others out, including Leuluai, who i feel has been exceptional for Wigan this year.
Leeds Loss - Roberts first game back, we didn't use all our subs and the Farrell sin binning was crucial at sapping energy.
Saints loss - Pryce only played once since this game and Richards not played at full back since
Wire loss - Roberts in at full back after Sam had had a good run, Deacon dropped to bench. Deacon not dropped since.
Giants loss - Gleeson missing

I just feel we need a settled back line and need Carmont, Gleeson & Leuluai firing and we can win the next three games.

i honestly think wire will beat saints this weekend. its looking like they have no starting halves which is crucial and to be fair i dont thing there is a better pack in SL than wires. their centres are both in top form, briers is flying high and with the added threat of monaghan i really dont think its as simple as stopping one or two players. i can see it being a wigan v wire final and wire doing the double ( wipes away a tear). for us to win this thing saints needs to do us a big favour and i just dont think they have it them with so many players in key positions missing.

Looks like our starting halves (Pryce/Eastmond) and their back-ups (Wheeler/Lomax) will all miss the weekend. Massive blow and can't see us troubling anyone in those circumstances.



Our pack should be OK this weekend, I think we'll go:

Wellens
Foster
Gidley
Meli
Gardner
Roby
Moore
Graham
Cunningham
Hargreaves
Wilkin
Puletua
Flannery

Soliola
Clough
Dixon
Emmit/Maurie

If Eastmond and Lomax are fit our pack and bench will be very strong indeed with Roby and Moore slotting back in there.

Thats all you need to do to be fair, a lot of teams (including Wigan) have been took apart by the Wire pack this year and therefore have a real uphill battle to win the game

Of course wigan have what it takes. You don't finish top of the pile if you're not good enough to win the damn thing. Anyway, the final will be wigan v wire/saints and anybody who can predict the winner out of those 3 sides is a very clever person. Also, does anybody else think leeds will have to really go for it this week, cos if they lose and have to play huddersfield the following week i think they will get turned over.

I feel if its Wigan v Saints I fancy our chances. If its Wigan v Wire I will not be confident. If Wire are ever going to win it its this year. Next year Wigan and Saints will improve and remain the top 2 Wire won't in my opinion.

I get your point about Wire but i'd just have to say the table doesn't lie...wereas whoever ends up being the 'champions' can be very misleading.
I don't see how we've looked vulnerable lately against good sides. Saints and Wire i guess you mean, both were just very close matches especially the Saints match, and yes you're right Wire took our one man pack apart.
and about it being down to 'new tactics' early in the year, thats one way to put it, or, just playing the game better than everyone else, seeing as we've had about a 4 point gap over second place for most of the time towards the end of the season i can't see how thtat's true.

Yes you do. I think Wigan will win a Saints V Wigan Grand final. I expect us(Wire) to lose surprisingly in the second round of playoffs to HKR.