Our current team probably IS worse, on paper, than the one that went down, but fortunately the cliche that games aren't played on paper is still true. The team that got relegated could easily (in my opinion) have been a top 8 team, but for whatever reason, zero confidence, coaching, tactics, whatever, played a whole lot of miserable stuff.
Hard to explain, but I liken it to Paul Newlove, his replacement was nowhere near as good - on paper - but much better for us as he wanted to play and did play.
The bookies have Wakey narrow favourites and with home advantage that's probably about right. On paper. But we have been far more consistent this season than last, and have shown on many occasions that we can play. I have no fears on our attack, that will be fine if the pack gets us a fair share of go-forward. Which it will, as it has done all year. I do have fears on defence. But we have shown when it has counted that we do have a bloody good defence, and it ws great on Sunday. If we can repeat that soirt of tenacity and willingness against a SL team then we should run them close.
What we need to do is start getting into Wakefield's heads, and hope that self-doubt starts to creep in and then mistakes and gaps will follow as their confidence drains away. What we DON'T need to do is to give them a start, or cough up regular gifts of field position.
If we come out like we did against Sheffield, then that will do for me for starters.
