Challenge Cup Semi Final : Sun Jun 02, 2019 7:59 am  

Our 3rd in 4 years, and we've won our last 5 I think. That said, Saints are so far ahead of everyone else this year - won 17 from 18 with a points difference around +350 - IMO there's a bigger gap between them and the rest than during the Daniel Anderson era and their "Team of All Talents" won the BBC Sports Team of the Year Award.

One way or another to win the cup we'd almost certainly have to beat them. Given the risk of humiliation on the big stage (they weren't on top form yesterday and still cruised to a blow out score against Wakey), would we rather draw them this afternoon, go for an unlikely 2005 style semi final win and face Warrington in the final?

As a side issue 3 of SL's top 4 are in the draw now, and with us having knocked out clubs in 3rd and 5th this puts our current Top 5 rivals at a distinct advantage in the SL competition with 2 free fortnights to come. interesting scenarios to play out.

Re: Challenge Cup Semi Final : Sun Jun 02, 2019 8:12 am  

A wembley visit would swell the coffers significantly so even the prospect of a heavy defeat would be worth the potential cost although I don't fancy our chances much against saints no matter where we play them. Too fast for us.

I am no longer daunted by the prospect of losing at wembley again. 2016 exorcised my 1980, 82, 83, 85, 2008 and 2013 ghosts (Jesus, did I really watch us lose there 6 times )

Re: Challenge Cup Semi Final : Sun Jun 02, 2019 8:15 am  

Facing Saints at Wembley is not the best thought, but they seem to be following the same strategy as last year (minimal team changes every week) and they ended up burning out last year.

As you say, our last 5 semi finals we have won and it’s a reasonable argument that for those we were the underdog (perhaps the 2008 v Wakey was more evenly matched).

I think we need to see the Cup as a money spinner, providing we get to the final. With this in mind, I’d want the easiest pathway to the final for me.

Re: Challenge Cup Semi Final : Sun Jun 02, 2019 8:22 am  

Mild mannered Janitor wrote:

Facing Saints at Wembley is not the best thought, but they seem to be following the same strategy as last year (minimal team changes every week) and they ended up burning out last year.

As you say, our last 5 semi finals we have won and it’s a reasonable argument that for those we were the underdog (perhaps the 2008 v Wakey was more evenly matched).

I think we need to see the Cup as a money spinner, providing we get to the final. With this in mind, I’d want the easiest pathway to the final for me.

It's certainly important and for clubs like us without a benefactor even more so. I'm sure the club hierarchy will be praying for championship opposition and another six figure windfall that comes with a final appearance.

Re: Challenge Cup Semi Final : Sun Jun 02, 2019 8:25 am  

I'm not afraid of the flat track bullies tbh. Their consistency is very impressive I'll give them that, but their best performances are no better than our best performances. Let's see how they handle it when a side really gets stuck into them. Catalans absolutely steamrolled them last year and they didn't have an answer.

Obviously we would rather get the championship side in the semi and have the easy ride (although I hope the players don't think like that) to the final. But if we draw Saints then that's fine. There would be no pressure on us and it would be funny to hear their arrogant fans after missing yet another final.

Re: Challenge Cup Semi Final : Sun Jun 02, 2019 8:29 am  

Yes we go into the draw with nothing to fear. I don't feel nervous about it as in previous Cup runs.

Clearly the preferential tie would be Bradford or Halifax but if it's one of the other two well bring it on.

Re: Challenge Cup Semi Final : Sun Jun 02, 2019 8:41 am  

Jake the Peg wrote:

A wembley visit would swell the coffers significantly so even the prospect of a heavy defeat would be worth the potential cost although I don't fancy our chances much against saints no matter where we play them. Too fast for us.

I am no longer daunted by the prospect of losing at wembley again. 2016 exorcised my 1980, 82, 83, 85, 2008 and 2013 ghosts (Jesus, did I really watch us lose there 6 times )

1982 = draw..... but I know where you are coming from.

Re: Challenge Cup Semi Final : Sun Jun 02, 2019 9:09 am  

Saints look a mile ahead at the moment but the challenge cup is 3 months away, teams don’t always sustain that sort of form for the whole season, I’m not saying they won’t be just as good then but in seasons past the best team at mid season doesn’t always take the honours. A few seasons back Leeds looked woeful and took a few hammerings, made the GF from fifth or sixth but in the final they were outstanding and looked nothing like the team from three months previous
Dare to dream

Re: Challenge Cup Semi Final : Sun Jun 02, 2019 9:42 am  

One of the advantages of being in the semis this year with the long time gap is that it sustains fan engagement for another 8 weeks or so. There'll be the usual flurry of panic/moaning about ticketing arrangements for a couple of weeks then a nice long period to sell merchandise and build it up. We could really do with a decent run of results/performances in the league to get some momentum.

Re: Challenge Cup Semi Final : Sun Jun 02, 2019 9:49 am  

As a great man once said.

“It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all”

Anyone now in the draw, we fear no one.