I'm sorry but this simply isn't true. Leeds would have put a much bigger score on had it not been for tremendous last ditch defence from wigan. Think of the amount of times leeds had space out wide only to see it closed off by 3 or 4 wigan players charging accross. If wigan were going through the motions the game would have been over at half time.

But how does a team approach a game when it knows the result will have a direct impact on who they play in the playoffs? Do they simply go for the win regardless or do you (subconsciuosly) choose next weeks opponent - club call came early

To try and engineer a supposedly easier game is a losers mentality. To win you have to beat the best anyway at some point. No good can come from doing anything other than going out to win and giving it a 100%.

Since when were wigan a club with this type of attitude? They should be confident of anyone, anytime.

Next Thursday is for me when the performance is important not the result. After that its all about the result.

This.

Just re read this thread in its entirety. Outstanding.

Keep the Faith. The week off means we will only be stronger faster and better drilled for the semi.

It looked a long shot after ten minutes but thankfully the people who thought it was just a case of getting the league rounds out the way were correct.

We need to improve with the ball but that defence will give us a shot and Matty Smith is playing a blinder.

Apologies Mr Wane, I have posted very little this season, even during our brightest moments, I thought we were heading for a fall. Tonight proved very different, a fantastic performance, a strategy to play against the weakest team in the last 4 and the Challenge Cup already in the cabinet, my beleif in Mr Wane has been proven unfounded. Take a bow!!!

Mark Bitcon deserves massive credit.

To me, it's just plain as anything that the playoff system is wrong. Once a top 4 finish was secured we've been going through the motions, CC games apart, in prep for week 1 of the playoffs. It's the crap system that allows this. The fact we are now at HOME in a semi final after finishing 4th shows there is no reason or motivation to finish top. Season ticket holders get short changed.

I hope your right pal. Think Powell needs a good off season but the signs are promising

Well we all know this, its been discussed to death. But it changes in a year (I just hope to god they get it right then) - for now we've just got to accept it as it is. This year its ended up favouring us whereas last year it didn't.

Definitely a lot of people looking a bit daft on this thread. As I said last week, I thought we played OK last week and there were good signs. We followed it through tonight and played extremely tough - the only concern now is whether a week off is a good thing for us. But we're back in a good position and with reason to be optimistic.

The week off is good, we don't get battered, the others do. And, we can work on moves I'm certain we have in reserve.