Fri 16th Sept: SL: Wigan Warriors v Leeds Rhinos KO 20:00 (Sky)

[paul hicks]

i suppose you have to pick wigan based on the season as a whole. on the other hand, leeds seem to have discovered some grit and never say die and at times that can be as important as skill and class.

couple of little pointers i suppose in that leeds have won it from 5th before so it's been talked about. little ###### bit of course is that leeds are onto there 3rd coach this season which you would think does nothing for stability. now on the other hand in 1969 leeds beat Castleford in the championship final in a season when they also had three different coaches.

I'm going to go for a leeds win by 8 which goes against logic but in a one-off game anything can happen.

 

[bobbruce]

39 minutes ago, paul hicks said:

i suppose you have to pick wigan based on the season as a whole. on the other hand, leeds seem to have discovered some grit and never say die and at times that can be as important as skill and class.

couple of little pointers i suppose in that leeds have won it from 5th before so it's been talked about. little ###### bit of course is that leeds are onto there 3rd coach this season which you would think does nothing for stability. now on the other hand in 1969 leeds beat Castleford in the championship final in a season when they also had three different coaches.

I'm going to go for a leeds win by 8 which goes against logic but in a one-off game anything can happen.

 

Two sides to this this Leeds team is no comparison to the teams in the past that won from 5th. Given that I don’t see them getting past a very good Wigan team. Having said that if they do get through I don’t think there is the same gulf between either this Saints team that’s available the Salford team and the Leeds team. So if by some miracle they do get past Wigan all bets are off. 

[Bedfordshire Bronco]

Leeds by 8

[Josef K]

If Isa plays Leeds have got a chance. 

[Agbrigg]

Leeds are on a bit of good form but this evening I believe their season ends. Sorry Leeds fans but I think Wigan will be too strong .

[Exiled Wiganer]

Being at home and having a week off (with Leeds having to go to France and back) should see us through. Leeds are very dangerous and can get on a roll, and thrashed us recently but I reckon that we will be fully focussed. Especially as we will lead into battle by Field Marshall French. 

[sweaty craiq]

Leeds will do a Salford as Wiggin fans apathy makes it a home game for Leeds

[sweaty craiq]

48 minutes ago, Exiled Wiganer said:

Being at home and having a week off (with Leeds having to go to France and back) should see us through. Leeds are very dangerous and can get on a roll, and thrashed us recently but I reckon that we will be fully focussed. Especially as we will lead into battle by Field Marshall French. 

It will be French’s last home game then??

[Niels]

1 hour ago, Exiled Wiganer said:

Being at home and having a week off (with Leeds having to go to France and back) should see us through. Leeds are very dangerous and can get on a roll, and thrashed us recently but I reckon that we will be fully focussed. Especially as we will lead into battle by Field Marshall French. 

That's very clever at the end.

 

[Jim Prendle]

5 hours ago, sweaty craiq said:

Leeds will do a Salford as Wiggin fans apathy makes it a home game for Leeds

To be honest the only thing we are ambivalent about is Leigh.

Let's face it, you are pretty pointless.

[paul hicks]

19 hours ago, bobbruce said:

Two sides to this this Leeds team is no comparison to the teams in the past that won from 5th. Given that I don’t see them getting past a very good Wigan team. Having said that if they do get through I don’t think there is the same gulf between either this Saints team that’s available the Salford team and the Leeds team. So if by some miracle they do get past Wigan all bets are off. 

I'm not going to disagree with that but must point out that in 80 mins of rugby league nothing should be for granted.  only takes a couple of players from either team to be a bit off their game.

[bobbruce]

1 minute ago, paul hicks said:

I'm not going to disagree with that but must point out that in 80 mins of rugby league nothing should be for granted.  only takes a couple of players from either team to be a bit off their game.

Absolutely and out of all the teams Leeds seemed to find a way to deal with French and Field better than any other team. I still think Wigan will prove too strong for them but as you say you never know. 

[meast]

Wigan should win but I wouldn't be surprised if Leeds did win the whole thing and make a mockery of the competition again by being absolutely rubbish for 70% of the season.

[paul hicks]

20 minutes ago, meast said:

Wigan should win but I wouldn't be surprised if Leeds did win the whole thing and make a mockery of the competition again by being absolutely rubbish for 70% of the season.

hardly 70% of the season if they won over 50% of their games. as Brian mac used to say it's how you finish not how you start.

either wigan by 18 or so. or leeds by 8. either way should be interesting 

[meast]

3 minutes ago, paul hicks said:

hardly 70% of the season if they won over 50% of their games. as Brian mac used to say it's how you finish not how you start.

either wigan by 18 or so. or leeds by 8. either way should be interesting 

Oh it's no criticism of Leeds, they've earned their place on their form, it's just to highlight the fact that a team could be battling relegation for a lot of the season and then a few wins later you can be crowned champions.

[paul hicks]

2 minutes ago, meast said:

Oh it's no criticism of Leeds, they've earned their place on their form, it's just to highlight the fact that a team could be battling relegation for a lot of the season and then a few wins later you can be crowned champions.

nearly always been the case since 1907. i still remember Dewsbury winning from 8th back in 1973. funny back then nobody moaned about it though. how times change

[Fevrover]

30 minutes ago, meast said:

Oh it's no criticism of Leeds, they've earned their place on their form, it's just to highlight the fact that a team could be battling relegation for a lot of the season and then a few wins later you can be crowned champions.

We all know the rules at the start of each season,it's a marathon not a sprint.

[Harry Stottle]

Just heard O'Conner bulling up Matty Peet how well Wigan are playing this season but no mention of the individuals of Field and French without whom they would be nowhere near the standing they have attained.

[Harry Stottle]

Just seen lots of Leeds fans have travelled over, not my favourite club but I have a sneaking feeling that they may come away with the spoils tonight, would be pleased if they did.

[Damien]

Cust is a huge loss

[Damien]

I'm disappointed O'Neil has been dropped for Powell too.

[Gerrumonside ref]

Leeds Urinals to win!

 

 

damn autocorrect… Leeds Rhinos

[Ragingbull]

Do wigan think we wont notice some empty seats if they cover them with tarpaulin?

[fieldofclothofgold]

1 hour ago, meast said:

Wigan should win but I wouldn't be surprised if Leeds did win the whole thing and make a mockery of the competition again by being absolutely rubbish for 70% of the season.

Dont worry 

[Gerrumonside ref]

Hopefully a good game