Just having a think whilst finally getting on with the Leeds match report.



We have a chance to go top on Wednesday and I think most sensible Wigan and Rugby League fans would find it hard to believe how Warrington can have played so well this season yet amazingly could find themselves in second place later this week.



On paper I still think Wire should be about 4 points clear, like we were this time last year, but what we are proving is perhaps a little bit of extra mental strength.



It's rare that Warrington have been in tight defensive games this year but when it's happened (Catalan, Hull, Salford, maybe even Hudds away) they haven't nicked the win. They did nick one against Hull KR in fairness but those other games have cost them a buffer at the top of the table.



Then when you look at us - Ok we definetly lost a point in Cardiff v Saints and at Cas last month but look at the points we've rescused.



Hull (H) - They were doing a cracking job on us. 12-8 down with 13 to play and down to 12 men. We nicked a 14-12 win.



Hudds (A) - Not really a rescue effort but to go there without Sam Tomkins, Pat Richards, Paul Deacon, Stuart Fielden, Joel Tomkins and Brett Finch and claim 2 points was a huge effort.



Leeds (A) - The opposite of Cas (A). 22-4 down with 20 to go. Even 22-14 down with 2 minutes and 10 seconds left we earned a point from nothing.



Saints (H) - 56 seconds away from defeat we scored to claim the win.



Even on Friday we perhaps earned two points we shouldn't have done with some luck.



So I reckon theirs 9 points there we easily could have lost. That would have left us in 6th and Warrington would have had their 4 point lead at the top of the table (before today's game at least), and had they nicked their tight games they'd have been miles ahead.



This is not a go at Warrington thread, I'm just highlighting that those small efforts show that our title was not a fluke last year and I think they may serve us well towards the back end of the season and perhaps highlights why we have the chance to get ahead on Wednesday!

Thanks Bilko... Great points well made.... I think that too often people have pointed to the "Points scored" column in the Warrington record, and not at the "Games lost". Mental fragility is a very difficult thing to pin down, but for all Warrington points scored, they have yet to be tested succesfully at the playoff stage of the competition. For all our failings over the last five seasons, we have had success in the playoffs, Warrington have not. All points to a fascinating run in, with lots to look forward too.

Wire are just a different animal this year. Even last year when they really looked a quality side, they've gone up another level this year.



I can't figure out how we have a chance to go top.

Its a valid point about the playoffs, but they clearly have some pedigree in knockout games given their recent CC wins. Two contender race as far as I can see - a ruthless front runner against a durable machine.

Win on Wednesday. Simples!

It's different though. Winning the cup in recent years has been win, (week off), win, (week off), win, (11 weeks or so off), win (3 weeks off), win. It's not on the same level with needing to win 2/3/4 games in a row against the best opposition!



They are certainly a massive threat though, particularly because their goal kicking is not awful like it was last year. They need to keep Hodgson fit though!

Don't disagree - they are by no means unbeatable and inconsistency week to week has been a perennial Warrington problem. I'm just a little concerned about their ability to blow teams away quickly - Wigan will have to be on form to match them. I think if both teams play at their best (unlike at the DW) that Wigan can edge it, as we seem to thrive in close games and I can see Warrington getting frustrated and ragged if they fail to put points on the board early.

Was it Nobles last year when we could win a close game? Wasnt it something like nine games we lost within 6 points, if we had won them all we would have been top if i remember correctly

Close games in 2009 that we lost



Wakefield (H) - Lost 06-12

Hull (A) - Lost 10-18

Cas (H) - Lost 22-28

Hudds (H) - Lost 08-22

St Helens (H) - Lost 12-19

Hull KR (H) - Lost 12-20

Warrington (A) - Lost 08-16

Celtic (A) - Lost 16-22

St Helens (A) - Lost 06-10

St Helens (A - Play Off) - Lost 10-14

Yeh i thought so, shows how important having a cool head and a bit of expirence in close games is



As you say these are the qualities of champion teams

I'll just rebump this thread because that tonight would have been a miserable defeat under Noble. I'll take a miserable victory!

It will be interesting to see how we go against London...sorry ...Harlequins at the weekend, the last 2 games we haven't played particualrly well by our standards yet have beaten 2 teams who have played above their recent standard, is this a sign of a champion team ?, if we manage to pick up 4pts from Quins and Wakey then the last few weeks will have been very succesful and hopefully we will have got over our dip in form with maximum points