Nearly posted exactly the same before the Bradford game, but didn't want to tempt fate.
In such a short run competition points difference could easily be the difference between third and fifth.
If we win we need to win well for confidence, but also for the points difference.
If we lose we need to stay in contention.
Massive game now next week, and the Widnes home game.

All the more disappointing to concede that soft try at the end of yesterday's game

It shows Leigh have loads of places you can go at to beat them! If we play for 80 like we did for the first 30 yesterday we should get 80... ha ha

I have a concern that if the SL teams continue to beat the Championship teams by big margins then the RFL might see the whole exercise as a failure. They'll then cancel the concept and decide that the bottom or bottom two SL clubs will be relegated in future seasons.

This needs to be a competition not a white wash of one league against another. Okay there are 5 rounds to go and all this can change, but at the moment where will that shock result come from? (I'm not taking Leigh lightly by any means but I'm more confident than I was on Friday night.)

You say that there "needs to be competition" but, the 2 leagues are a fair distance apart in terms on club income and salary cap etc.
Therefore, it shouldn't be that competitive but, it does allow (in principle at least), the opportunity for some promotion and relegation.

Of course, our result yesterday, plus the whitewash for SL today, has put the skids under the RFL's plans and despite the Sky commentators salivating at the thought of Bradford beating us yesterday, we may start next season as we started this one.

Never mind though, we will get to do it all over again next season (unless there is a sudden change to the format, to give the Championship clubs a better chance)

I do think that there should be a change to the transfer deadline so that clubs cant effectively have a new squad for the "super 8's".

Fair enough wrencat. I do agree that the difference in finances between SL and Championship can be significant to influence the outcome. Also with some teams being PT as well it is only really an experience for those guys although I think Halifax have been very creditable so far.

As for the deadline, to be honest I think the fuss over it is overhyped. Same rules apply for everybody. Rowley might complain but he brought in a few late recruits just before the play offs.

We had a poor performing team, did some wheeling and dealing to sort it out and have now prepared for the play off games. Same option was available for all teams. The fact they didn't do it is down to them.

Webster said he couldn't give some of our players away, well Brian Smith has proven the opposite. Maybe Brian is a better negotiator?

I'm happy with the deadline to stick as it is. Otherwise move it to earlier in the season and you'll still get some changes.

I'm more concerned about dual reg and the lack of an A team. I'd much rather we had player development than money invested in a marquee player.