If finishing top mattered we would risk players at 85% fit. As finishing top doesn't matter they are classed as injured. I don't know the last time Sam and Lockers played together in the league. But they were both fit for the 2 cup games but injured for the league games either side. I agree with Wane's thinking, but that way of thinking shouldn't matter because the league should mean more.

Don't be so defensive, I'm merely stating facts.

As was i

Very difficult to give players in a large squad like Wigan enough playing time when we no longer have a reserve league and the next level is only up to eighteen.

Scrapping the Under 21's with a allowance of a number of overage players was a bad mistake and should be changed for next season.

Gelling being a classic example.

I doubt there's a plan to finish 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th as each position is pretty much the same. You get a home playoff match at some point and a defeat in week one isn't a crisis.

Since we were guaranteed 4th place which I think was after the Magic weekend our performances have clearly dipped and our 'star' players have missed games with injuries and illnesses which has given the reserves/youngsters a run out. Note that they've been fit for the Challenge Cup matches.

Personally, I think SW has learned his lesson from last season and is focussing on having a fully fit squad come September who have just won the Challenge Cup. Obviously that's just my opinion and it could be wide of the mark and we may well limp out the playoffs again.

did we set out at the beginning of the season or even 5 weeks ago to finish 4th? No

Now we're 3rd is it prudent to look and see who we would rather play in the first week of the play-offs? Yes

If come the last week of the regular season we're 3rd and level on points with Leeds and Hudds are guaranteed top spot i would be all for putting the reserves out against the Rhinos because i would rather go to Huddersfield than Warrington. I do however think with a full side we can beat anyone btw.

If you win the first week of the play-offs you're at home for a crack at old trafford.

I also think Wane has tried to learn from last season and that is why people have missed out with knocks but would have played last year.

Ultimately the proof of the pudding is in the eating!!

if we win at Wembley and win at Old Trafford he's a genius, if we win nowt he's a dope!!

The scenario exists for both Wigan and Leeds to go all out for a defeat in the last game of the regular season!

That, is a scary thought....

I think your right, he's changed tactics and woke up to the fact that 4th is as good as 1st pretty much so from that moment 4th place looked assured and we were progressing nicely in the cup we've started to rest players.

The one worry is our lack of form and even bigger lack of momentum that has come out if these rests. We must be in the middle of one of our worst runs for a few years at the moment and whilst there are reasons for that, form can't just be turned on like a tap.

We really need to build up some momentum and form, starting this week at Catalans.

This cup final will make or break our season in my opinion. Winning the cup should get us going again but I feel if we lose the cup final the team will find it hard to pick them selves back up in time for the play offs.

Also winning the cup will take a lot of pressure off us going into the play offs knowing we already have a trophy in the bag.

We need to look at Leeds for inspiration if we get beat at Wembley. They've used that dissapointment to fire their play off campaign in the past two years and you can only admire their resolve.

We on the other hand turned our season in back in 2011 after winning the cup. We totally lost focus and somehow managed to lose twice to a poor Saints side in the play offs.

I think a lot of people are excusing very poor performances from a number of players

Its been at least since we played london in may away since we actually put in an 80 minute performance and didnt look like scaping home.

Challenge cup accepted but not exactly had the most challenging teams to play

I share your thoughts and opinions. Especially those!