: Thu Jan 01, 2009 4:54 pm  

Given the fact that the top 8 enter a cup competition at the end of the season, it's far from "massive" imo.

The regular rounds are an irrelevance and more than ever it's about "peaking" at the business end of the season.

A crying shame, or should that be "sham".

: Thu Jan 01, 2009 5:01 pm  

XBrettKennyX wrote:

Given the fact that the top 8 enter a cup competition at the end of the season, it's far from "massive" imo.

The regular rounds are an irrelevance and more than ever it's about "peaking" at the business end of the season.

A crying shame, or should that be "sham".

Right enough, i find it puzzling how the team that wins the league gets a shield and no-one gives it any credibility... the fact that st he***s won it the last 2-3 years is quite funny but if we win it id be dancing from the rooftops..

Always nice to get some rythym/consistency going no matter the time of season im sure youll agree BK!!?!!

: Thu Jan 01, 2009 5:21 pm  

XBrettKennyX wrote:

Given the fact that the top 8 enter a cup competition at the end of the season, it's far from "massive" imo.

The regular rounds are an irrelevance and more than ever it's about "peaking" at the business end of the season.

A crying shame, or should that be "sham".

It is very important we get off to a winning start and gain some early momentum.

It is only once that a side outside the top 2 has won the competition.

We need to push for that top 2 spot if we really want a realistic hope of winning the title. A good start with all 4 games there for the taking in feb will get us off in the right way.

I think the competition will be closer than ever this year so every month is important and we should split the season down in our minds to 8 mini 1 month competitions. If we did that and won each one we would be there or there abouts at the end of the year.
i:e take each month as it comes just as you take each game as it comes.

Feb is equally as important as July, Or August for example.

: Thu Jan 01, 2009 5:25 pm  

Tricky Dicky wrote:

It is very important we get off to a winning start and gain some early momentum.

It is only once that a side outside the top 2 has won the competition.

We need to push for that top 2 spot if we really want a realistic hope of winning the title. A good start with all 4 games there for the taking in feb will get us off in the right way.

Absolutely. The way the critics of the playoffs go on, you'd think it became a random draw for the top 8.

Clubs still need to finish as high as possible in the ladder to give themselves a chance of winning SL.

: Thu Jan 01, 2009 5:44 pm  

Of course its important to start the season well, but every month has to be as important as each other.

Re: Massive Month : Thu Jan 01, 2009 5:49 pm  

Tricky Dicky wrote:

I have just been looking at the fixtures for next season and it is evident how big a month Feb is going to be in the context of our season.

We have 4 league games in Feb,

Wakefield home, Hull away, Cas home, Quins away.

We play both leeds and Bradford early in March.

Given that previously we have not got off to the best of starts it looks to me that there are 4 very win-able games in Feb if we get off to a good start.

This could pave the way for a lot of confidence and set us on our way to a very good season.

Suffering 1 or 2 defeats in this month and then facing Leeds and the bulls early in March could set us off on the wrong footing and leave us playing catch up to the other top sides.

Therefore i feel Feb is a massive month. Thoughts?

I agree, lets hope Nobby and the lads have the same thoughts. If we win 5/6 of our first games then I will be chuffed. But those 4 are must wins, we cannot keep losing to sides we should beat and still expect to be up there.

: Thu Jan 01, 2009 5:52 pm  

Hogan Knows Best wrote:

Of course its important to start the season well, but every month has to be as important as each other.

Agreed. As Wigan, each month is a massive month as is each match. It's a no brainer that every team aims to win every match and to be the best you've got to aim for the best.

Even though, in theory, any of the top eight can win the Grand Final, we have to aim for as high as possible, not just for a more favourable run, in the play-offs, but also for the accolade of finishing as high up the league table as possible.

: Thu Jan 01, 2009 5:56 pm  

Ancient & Loyal wrote:

Agreed. As Wigan, each month is a massive month as is each match. It's a no brainer that every team aims to win every match and to be the best you've got to aim for the best.

Even though, in theory, any of the top eight can win the Grand Final, we have to aim for as high as possible, not just for a more favourable run, in the play-offs, but also for the accolade of finishing as high up the league table as possible.

And to get a home tie in the play offs.

I'm sure that is one of the questions that need to be addressed at the forthcoming fans forum.

: Thu Jan 01, 2009 6:00 pm  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

I'm sure that is one of the questions that need to be addressed at the forthcoming fans forum.

To be honest Brian, there are far more pressing issues that the fans need answers to such as how many weetabix does Stuart Fielden have in a morning. As long as we get answers we will be ok.

: Thu Jan 01, 2009 8:17 pm  

XBrettKennyX wrote:

The regular rounds are an irrelevance and more than ever it's about "peaking" at the business end of the season.

I've never quite understood how the business end of the season games are more relevant. The only reason they seem to be more important is because the table at the end of the season denotes finishing positions, but all the games are still worth the same number of points. For example, Leeds lost six games last year. Would it matter at what point in the season they lost them? Suppose they lost the first six or the last six? They would still have finished second. My point is that no game should ever be considered less important than any other so results do matter. FORM however, and the ability to kick on and win the play-off games IS critical at the 'business end' of the season.