I've been saying this. To have been 2-3 seconds away from a win where the final ball was kicked towards Field without pressure but giving away a penalty was criminal and still potentially costly.

Saints will win and looking at Salford on Saturday night, I very much doubt they'll get past Catalans because they don't have enough in the forwards. That leaves us at Leigh and it's your best chance of a result because of the emotion of the fixture and what it means to Leigh. I don't think it'll be straightforward for us but if we keep our form up, fingers crossed we'll get the job done.

It's a great end to the season and it is reflective of 3 sides being a cut above the rest, albeit all inconsistent!

I think we'll finish top, I just love the way we are approaching games mentally. We are not getting involved in any silly business and aggro, we are just sticking to playing rugby. It has been particularly evident over the last few weeks since the Catalans game. Salford, Leeds and Cas all tried to get under our skin, but we haven't bitten. Fingers crossed the circumstances and atmosphere does not change this on Friday. It will be a good test for us.

In a lot of ways Leigh is a good game for Wigan- if Leigh approach it as they did a couple of weeks ago when we played them. You would like to think that Lam will want to get one over his old employers. Wigan need an intense game though, they've coasted through the last few games and haven't been tested. Even the game in France was a walk in the park.

A couple of fans on here have mocked our attack and its true there doesn't seem to be many points in us and we have been definitely clunky. However when you defend like we do we are bloody hard to score against as evidenced by only conceding two tries in the last two games despite Leigh and Warrington throwing a lot at us.

I've mentioned this before but at this time of the season the conditions change and when its wet and windy its about completing sets and turning the ball over as close as you can to the opposition line and then defending with great line speed to force errors. Thats what we have done over the last couple of weeks and Wellens last line in his Sky interview last Friday was noteworthy- "we are play off ready"

Wigan may need a good hit out at a higher intensity.....

It's a great point and one our group was discussing at the game on Friday. We've been playing superbly well and that's great but it's maybe not the best prep for the play offs. The game against Leigh on Friday is one that makes me feel nervy but it's a fantastic fixture for us in most ways because of the reasons you note. They'll challenge us physically and it will be a good mental test and win or lose I think it can stand us in good stead.

I'm keeping everything crossed we get the win but whatever happens, I just hope our fans stick with it because it won't be the end of our chances if we get beat. Just as I believe Saints have every chance of finishing third and winning their first play off game, then away in Catalans and then a Grand Final, I also think we are capable of doing that.

You're spot on. Essentially it is a play off game for us. Best case scenario is a close, hard fought win with the hubcap secured, then a week off to recharge.

Regarding Saints, they are there already with intensity but what I will say is that they aren't defending as well as was made out on Friday. Leigh a few weeks back and Wire last week spurned a few opportunities (Makinson intercept & Wrench break). They can't afford to do that v Catalans or Wigan. Yes, they're scrambling well but I can't see better sides letting them off the hook.

I still think you'll be in the GF, I'd even say I'm most confident about Saints being at Old Trafford than any other side.

Yeah I agree with you in that we got some luck too. The constant changes in the backline aren't helping but its clear that any team with pace will cause us big problems. Wigan are my biggest worry given their pace across the whole backline and in particular French and Field. We've gone from being "the entertainers" and needing dry weather to win comps to now being a team that performs well in wet weather a la Leeds 07-09 when Sinfield used to kick us to death in those Grand Finals.

I have a sneaky feeling that this year may be one year too far for us and we could come unstuck in France. Finishing 2nd would change that of course but its still all about who is fit come the play offs and an injury or two to any of the key players across all 6 teams could massively influence things.

Incidentally those two bell ringers from Welsby that saved tries on Friday weren't too shabby from someone who apparently can't defend

Its sold out. The last 26 tickets went this morning. A real pity that the stadium will have a reduced capacity due to the entertainment and the reserved seating for the South Stand. In Hindsight, should be reserved !

Still, not bad for a little Pit Village Bus Stop, but lets hope we give you a game and give you plenty to think about. You cant beat a Leigh / Wigan Derby with a full house and a bit of needle !!

Good luck.

There is absolutely no question thst both Saints and Wigan could do that. I still think that when it really ramps up, both will have too much for Catalans.

I agree Wire left points out there and a better side would have taken advantage of some of the opportunties they comically bodged.

St Helens have been playing at play off intensity for a couple of weeks now. Part of me thinks that puts them at an advantage in the play offs, I’m also hoping they burn out (can’t see it though)

I was fearing this game v Leigh but agree with a lot of comments. It’s exactly what we need.

Hopefully we'll turn up on Friday with the same attitude we had against Cats and Leeds for that matter, if we do and Leigh turn us over then fair play to them

ATEOTD, there has to come a time when it doesn't matter if Saints are "in playoff form", gearing up for another title tilt or whatever else people want to say.

If we're going to be successful, then WE need to find a way to win. We need to be playing playoff footy etc. Catalan away was us putting a marker down and, quite simply, going to Leigh and wrapping up the LLS, with all the benefits it brings, has to be another.

To be frank, over the last few years I'd say we've choked more than we've delivered. We now need to start delivering.

It's as simple as that.

Our defence recently has been extremely good. We've either nulled teams or kept them to the odd try. If we can do this against Leigh by keeping them to 1-2 tries then we can remain vonfident.

That said, weather this week looks pretty crap I think, so a wet pitch could turn the game into an arm wrestle and ultimately a closer scoreline.

I think in recent years we haven’t choked but we were just not good enough. Earlier in season I thought we had very little chance of winning the GF. Now I think we may have a chance but still think Saints will land the GF honours because they have shown repeatedly that they can deliver when the pressure is on and because they have the better and more experienced players in playoffs.
If we beat Leyth on Friday then maybe we are maturing as a team and we may possibly go on to land the GF. If we lose then we probably have to beat Wire, Saints/Catalan and Catalan/Saints in 3 consecutive weeks and I think that will be beyond us even if we don’t get anymore injuries or suspensions.
I’m a little worried how French will perform when the intensity reaches much higher levels and for me Mago still isn’t good enough or potentially fit enough when he comes up against Saints or Catalan when it’s hey lads hey.
On the plus side Smith is by some margin the best playmaker in competition, Field looks particularly good at the moment and confidence within the club must be exceptionally high at the moment.

Hopefully I’m underestimating where we are as a squad but I still think that we might fall short when it really counts. Maybe the losses at Wakefield, Newcastle and the CCSF are blurring my thoughts too much and maybe we really have turned the corner.