With Leeds losing last night, 2nd place is now a very good possibility! Tonight is very important. If we win, I think we will get 2nd by the end of the Super 8's. Lose, and it will be a struggle for a few weeks to qualify for the 4

Think the cup distraction will do for us personally. Compared to Saints we've had to get up for 2 enormous games in the cup, with a further major final to come while they've been resting up exclusively for the top 4 push; this puts us at a serious disadvantage over the 8s. A result away tonight would be fantastic but will be incredibly difficult to achieve given Saints form IMO. Chester is inspiring Wakefield to brilliance too, got to be a candidate for SL coach of the year with limited resources, places 2-4 are going to be a bunfight.

If this were last year I would agree with you, but I would hope that the experience of last year will stand them in good stead and there is not longer the cloud of not winning at Wembley hovering over the players.

ideally we should go all out to win all games, but I would understand the management team protecting players for the final the week before (Hudds game next week). Win tonight and realistically 2nd is in our sites given Leeds loss at Wakey.

Win tonight and we have one foot in the top 4. Would probably leave us needing one more win. Lose and there is still an awful lot of work to do.

Agreed but again the cup run puts us at a disadvantage playing Leeds on a 5 day turnaround after Wembley. I wouldn't trade another Wembley final for anything, but likely consequences on the league are significant.

The decision to play Leeds 5 days after a final in which one of the clubs was going to be involved is just farcical. I am surprised the club has not asked this game to be changed to the Friday. I understand Sky dictate TV games, however, this is quite unreasonable. Given that Hudds play Cas in that round of the Super 8's and neither were involved in the semi finals, this could have been the TV game for the Thursday

Personally last year I think this was the case as the CC was number 1 priority I believe, winning for the first time at Wembley was a massive achievement. Now that monkey is off the clubs and players backs I see no reason why the cup will be a distraction like it was previously. Other clubs over the years have managed to win the Cup and still make the GF and win it.
If this club want to be contenders for all trophies we have to learn to handle being in SF & Finals and not let that distract the mindset.
I do believe we have a chance to get 2nd as the squad we have is talented and good enough to do so. The only issue I have with the CC Final is the RFL giving a finalist a fixture 5 days later which is just crazy.

Win tonight and we put breathing space between us and the chasing pack and 4 pts between us and St's and listening to Radford it sounds as though this is what they've been planning for all season and a home SF. Happy times no matter what the result personally although do feel confident about tonight.

The RFL didn't, Sky did but you're right, it is absolutely ridiculous

As long as the players don't go on a 4 day bender again after winning the Cup (fingers crossed), then we should have enough depth/rotation within the squad to put a side out against Leeds that can do the job.

I think we'll turn it on tonight.

I would personally rest the lot of them against Leeds regardless of the result at Wembley. Make sure we are ready to go the week after. Top 2 isn't all that important in my book.

Assuming that the 17 for Wembley are as follows:

Shaul
Fonua
Griffin
Tuimavave
Talanoa
Kelly
Sneyd
Watts
Houghton
Taylor
Minichiello
Manu
Ellis

Bowden
Washbrook
Connor
Green


Then, from what I can see, only the following players would be available v Leeds who hadn't played at Wembley and aren't out on loan at other clubs:

Thompson
Turgut
Michaels
Downs
Fash
Matongo
Litten

With the following players out on loan (presumably won't be called back):

Hadley (Wakefield)
Logan (KR)
Abdull (KR)
Rawsthorne (Doncaster)
Osborne (York)
Wray (Hemel)
Bower (Hemel)


Unless we are going to draft in a large amount of our players from COHA then I'd imagine the likes of Kelly, Sneyd, Houghton, Ellis, Taylor and Manu will be rested, and everyone else will back up against Leeds.

Quote: Chris71 " I see no reason why the cup will be a distraction like it was previously. Other clubs over the years have managed to win the Cup and still make the GF and win it.'" According to this only 9 clubs have won "the double", including Swinton and Broughton Rangers. It's a massive ask IMO. Look how dominant Bradford Bulls were for years and they only managed it once. Of course being in both competitions makes it harder - you have to spread your energy and effort as well as being mentally resilient. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dou ... gby_league)

Quote: Chris71 " I see no reason why the cup will be a distraction like it was previously. Other clubs over the years have managed to win the Cup and still make the GF and win it.'" According to this only 9 clubs have won "the double", including Swinton and Broughton Rangers. It's a massive ask IMO. Look how dominant Bradford Bulls were for years and they only managed it once. Of course being in both competitions makes it harder - you have to spread your energy and effort as well as being mentally resilient. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dou ... gby_league)

In the league though Castleford have been way out in front and benefit from 2 free weekends, whereas last year it ended up effectively being us, Warrington who made both finals and Wigan who this year will likely be laser-focussed on the cup. I think Cas in the league and Wigan in the cup are individually much bigger barriers to each trophy than we faced last year where our opponents were similarly spread on both competition fronts.