Quote Its not rocket science really, you havn't won a major trophy for 8 years which says that Wigan aint the force that they used to be and nobody fears them like they did during the glory years. You need viagra these days to get past a semi, Leeds, Saints and Warrington have all proven in recent times that they have the credentials to make it to a major final. Where are you credentials other than falling at the last hurdle or before ?'"
You're right, it's not rocket science. Nor any other kind of science or even reasoned argument for that matter. Using this argument Wire couldn't win the CC last year as they hadn't won a major trophy in 30 (?) years! So did you win it or not?
Quote Where are Wigan's recent credentials to say they can make it past a semi ? '"
In the same place as Wire's prior to the first cup win, only somewhat more recent. Your point?
Quote Like i said, its hardly rocket science that i'd take either Saints, Leeds or Warrington ahead of Wigan to win the grand final based on recent evidence of knock out rugby as thats what you should be going on. '"
Actually you said the winners will come from the Knowsly road semi. At the time of writing that discounts Leeds. Also, why should we be going off knock out competition alone anyway? If you want to go off anything it should surely be recent history of the play offs, no? Out of interest, where would you say Wire figure using that criteria? We could just as justifiably ask when was the last time the Challenge cup winners won the GF or how often has the winner come from outside the top 2? Surely these are more reasoned arguments regarding the play offs than using a cup win, or even two, as justification for impending GF succes?
Quote Being consistent over a season doesn't make you a good knock out side, look at your record on the big occasion in some of the recent games at the DW stadium, lost to Warrington, St Helens and Huddersfield. Yeh thats impressive form going into the play offs.'"
In the same way as Wire lost to Wigan at the Halliwell Jones, Saints to Wigan at Knowsley Road and Leeds to Wigan home and away! Again I ask your point?
As for being consistant having no bearing on knock out rugby, have a word with yourself!! Are you really suggesting that you'd rather trust to blind luck that you can string 4 wins together rather than at least taking consistant form into the competition? I suggest you have a quick word with your coach if that's the case as he, along with every other coach in the world, thinks differently. Of course it may well be that you know best and they're actually wrong. Who knows? I would also add that the greatest cup side in history were also the most consistant, which is why they also won titles, doubles and trebles during the same period. Like you say, it's not rocket science.
