CCF match discussion : Mon May 23, 2022 5:42 pm  

Putting aside thoughts about tickets and crowd numbers, how does everyone think the game will go on Saturday?

I'm not feeling overly confident personally. Huddersfield have an 8 point start with the bookmakers though. We certainly have the players to score points and hopefully the pace of our back three will shine on a big pitch. Our defence has not exactly been watertight as of late though and we definitely have to cut down the basic errors and penalties. Huddersfield look very strong across the park to me - no clear weakness. Their pack looks stronger on paper. Russell and Fages facing late fitness tests.

Its clear thr club has highlighted the cup as a big priority this year so hopefully we will bring our best.

Re: CCF match discussion : Mon May 23, 2022 5:49 pm  

I felt confident the day after the Semi final.

The more I’ve looked into Huddersfield to more I think that 8 point start should be about 2/4. Even perhaps scratch.

Played us very well in the game at the DW and we’re missing Fages and Levi.

They’ve barely any injuries and a couple of good players will miss out on selection for them.

Hill and Yates provide good platform and the spine works really well (late shifts to the opposite side of the ruck to create numbers).

Great outside backs too.

If I were Watson I’d be going at gap between Thornely and Smith all game long.

Really tough test, clique but should be a cracker for the neutral.

As much as I really like O’Neill I’d be more confident with Powell playing. Just a machine defensively.

Re: CCF match discussion : Mon May 23, 2022 5:51 pm  

Fages will be fine reading between the lines but they might not risk Russell. They’ll be strong whatever happens and it’s a genuine 50/50 IMO. I rate them massively and actually said about 6 games in that I think they’re the best chance of anyone stopping Saints cleaning up.

In terms of us we need to try and replicate that semi final. Cut out the silly errors, the penalties and get our defence back to the level it was at for 60-65 minutes of that game. In tight games your desperate to have a couple of game breakers in your side and we have Field and French. I’d even put Mago in there and a game like this. He might only play for 10-15 minutes but one individual moment could crack it open.

Re: CCF match discussion : Mon May 23, 2022 10:08 pm  

I really rate Watson, he’s a smart coach and we are going to need to be smart to win this one.

Underestimate Huddersfield and we lose.

Don’t think our preparation has been ideal with our attitude against Hull being very questionable.

Weather could play a part too, think the rain could suit them.

Wigan by 2 & Harry Smith gets the Lance Todd.

Re: CCF match discussion : Tue May 24, 2022 6:38 am  

dany1979 wrote: I really rate Watson, he’s a smart coach and we are going to need to be smart to win this one. Underestimate Huddersfield and we lose. Don’t think our preparation has been ideal with our attitude against Hull being very questionable. Weather could play a part too, think the rain could suit them. Wigan by 2 & Harry Smith gets the Lance Todd. Forecast for Saturday https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2635608 Fine and sunny no rain click to Saturdays weather

dany1979 wrote: I really rate Watson, he’s a smart coach and we are going to need to be smart to win this one. Underestimate Huddersfield and we lose. Don’t think our preparation has been ideal with our attitude against Hull being very questionable. Weather could play a part too, think the rain could suit them. Wigan by 2 & Harry Smith gets the Lance Todd. Forecast for Saturday https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2635608 Fine and sunny no rain click to Saturdays weather

Re: CCF match discussion : Tue May 24, 2022 8:01 am  

Bring the trophy home. All that matters.

Re: CCF match discussion : Tue May 24, 2022 8:22 am  

He's a shrewd coach Watson and they are a good team but unfortunately I can only see a Wigan win although I think it will be close. I think Wigan's big game experience will be a key factor and if it is a dry day they will have too much pace in the backs.

Huddersfield could potentially freeze on the big occasion but its clear that Wigan have put all their eggs into the CC basket these last two weeks and will be more than ready.

Would absolutely love to be going to that stadium on Saturday.

Re: CCF match discussion : Tue May 24, 2022 9:35 am  

Reckon we could all name the team right now, Bibby seems to be the only question mark, if he is missing I'd imagine Peet will go safety first and put Bateman at centre with Isa back in rather than giving Halsall the centre spot

Re: CCF match discussion : Tue May 24, 2022 9:42 am  

Huddersfield have a very good pack, very good spine, a top quality centre, and a smart coach.

We will have to be on top of our game to beat them.

I'm hoping we've been working on our defence - they have some very smart switch plays which can easily expose our outside backs in defence so we have stop them getting field position in the first place.

Looking forward to seeing if Field and French have been working on some combinations to get themselves into the game more and on the shoulder of some of the forwards - just need to put a little more doubt in the defenders minds. Looking forward to seeing them both hopefully Field can bring his form into the final.

Re: CCF match discussion : Tue May 24, 2022 11:53 am  

Will Pryce back from suspension too, they say they’re ready to throw him straight back in if Russell/Fages miss out. Peet said Bibby will be fine for the final, was just a precaution. Luke Yates is a great player, I think he might be a handful for us, Danny Levi too, but I’m confident Wigan win on Saturday. 8-12 points.