Because we made basic errors, didn't stick to the game plan and didn't play with composure. We led multiple times against Catalans and 10-0 against Hull, we just didn't turn the screw and kept them interested, had we scored another try against Hull quickly, that game could have ran away from them, as it was they showed a great attitude and got rewards. They are also two of the better teams in the competition.



We've given out four hidings this year to teams that are substandard for this competition, I dare say with Salford at home, Wakefield at home, Bradford at home to come, we'll see four more yet.



That'll mean by the time the compeition finishes at Rd27, a third of the time, we give a team a good hiding, which is where we're at now.

Congratulations, on typing the biggest load load of tosh, ever written in the English language.

Your parents must be so proud.

You don't agree? It happens.

I know where you're coming from. I've heard Smith talk about 'this team knowing how & when to peak' when talking about a CC Semi final, or final or whatever.

just cos its saddened, dont discount what he's saying, you can look at it another way, after the goons match, we were top of the table and we had 6 points that in a previous season, you wouldn't expect to have

saints away

leeds home

and the arguable one, 50/50 wigan away.



So to get them 4 pointers even at this stage and then to drop points to catalan and 4 to huddersfield, and to hull, with how we have been playing, its disapointing, and with a bit more applicationg we could've won the dragons and hull games.

Not so much as teams may under prepare, but the complete cobblers, that they DELIBERATELY do it, just beggars belief.



Can you imagine ANY coach, in ANY sport, saying "I dont care if you lose this week, so I wont prepare you adequately.....in fact, if you want, you can bring in Tank Command, Kerplunk, Operation and a pack of cards this week, after all, it's only xxxxxxxxx this week...."

As a Hull fan I would say that although we struggle to finish teams off we are always in the arm wrestle every game. If anyone thinks you should have put 50 points past Hull you either have a very high opinion of your team or you are ignorant to the ability in Hulls side. I know you weren't at your best last week but even if you were you wouldn't have put us to the sword the way you have to Bradford, Salford etc.



As for your chances this year, I will be suprised to see you outside the top 2, Wigan don't seem anything special and I think Saints might lose some ground due to their injuries. I'd go with Warrington and Hudds top 2.

They don't deliberately lose. They just don't go into it with the same week long intense focus and preparation as they would say for a must-win game that would decide a league place or so on.



The focus for a SL coach is to do enough to be in a good position come play off time, but not expend too much energy and effort doing it. No point finishing top 2 if it leaves you in a heap on the floor come play off time. If you imagined it on a graph there would be a low point early/mid season where the top teams are trying to [imaintain [/itheir league position but also recharge their batteries. Players rested, training sessions eased back on, players given a day off etc. Then come 4-6 weeks before play off time things would spike upwards so the team goes into the playoffs in optimal condition.



All I'm suggesting is that Warrington seem to be in very good shape, big games (Mostly) won and league position maintained and squad looking in good condition. No controversy.

Don't worry, most sensible folk get what you are pushing at.....Its similar to how Muhammad Ali would have prepared for the Rumble in the Jungle, compared to how he would have trained for a bout with Joe Bugner.....Its all about peaking and having enough in the tank when it really matters.



Personally, I'm with you.....We look strong when we put the foot on the gas and are building a nice habit of winning the big games against our main rivals (well, except Huddersfield), which will be useful psychologically later in the year.

Top 4 after 13 rounds last year...



Wigan, Warrington, St Helens, Huddersfield



Top 4 after 13 rounds this year...



Wigan, Warrington, St Helens, Huddersfield.



Two of those will be in the Grand Final, I'd say.

Yesterday wasn't about Bradford's mistakes or poor play gifting us points imo. Our defence was outstanding in the 1st half and we forced them into errors time after time. All this despite Uncle Albert gifting them repeat sets for sod all.

Well all this makes a hilarious mockery of the idea of "competition for places".



"The coach is going to have a headache, knowing who to pick when everybody is fit...and all those young guns knocking on the door..."



Obviously not!



I can understand the argument that players will need resting during a season but not that intensity can be turned on and off, it is totally pointless getting 'up' for a game against Wigan and then beating them and then dropping points to Catalans and Hull, may as well have beaten Catalans and Hull and gone easy against Wigan. All the league games are worth as much as any other.



Surely if there are all these hungry players outside the first team, wanting a chance to show their skills, then intensity isn't an issue, you can rotate players through the season to keep them fresh and the ones who were outside, are going to be suitably intense.



Fatigue and injury yes those are fair excuses for why it's not feasible for a player to be at the same level right through the season, which is why you have a squad so you can keep players fresh....when it comes to dropping 'intensity' thats a different story, sounds a recipe for defeat. Can you imagine Ellery Hanley, Dean Bell and Shaun Edwards 'dropping off the intensity'...? Wigan used to be in the finals of so many cups that they'd have about 11 games to play in the last month and they just relentlessly steamrollered teams.