Here's one for you.

in 2009, Tony smith comes in and takes what was pretty much agreed, a paul cullen built team, to the challenge cup final.

could Sam burgess be doing the same, coming in and taking what is pretty much a daryl powell *hissss* built side to wembley....

Similar. Albeit Tony had 6? games less, no preseason and Jimmy as assistant.

I wish it was Huddersfield in the final.

Could be, we've had the players, talent and skill for a while, but Burgess has got them to actually hit their potential attacking and defensively.
Will see where we're at in the dress rehersal game before the final.
Hopefully we beat Catalans then Wigan twice (fingers crossed)

That's a big ask.

We got ahead of ourselves after the Saints win.
It'll be interesting to see how we go on.
I want to win all 3.
We could well lose all 3.
If the latter case occurs it will be a real test of Sam and the coaching teams abilities to get us 'back on the horse' again.

It’s a huge game and realistically it’s a fantastic game for a neutral. Like it or not we’re still the great pretender and Wigan are at the peak of their powers. There’s lots of interest in the Burgess story, which will generate media interest on our side to go alongside the French/Field combo which is undeniably brilliant to watch. Lots of bad blood, history and rivalry.

We need to be at our best, and embrace the occasion in the way the 2009 team did, but if we can continue with the same discipline and commitment then we have a chance.

There are people out there who have waited 34 years to right that wrong. This is the one we want to win.

For the week before, we have been plenty of young lads desperate for a game, and from the evidence presented in the first team, the squad are willing to run through brick walls for one another, so I would be using every fit contender to deputise and encourage every fan on the database to get down and roar on the youngsters.

A team like the below might not get a result, but would fight for their worth: Taylor-Wray, Lynch, Lindrop, Wrench, Jake Thewlis, Ratchford, ?, Wood, Powell, Bullock, Holroyd, Whitehead, Okoro.

In 2009 wire had nothing to play for in the league, well out of the play off places, which were a top 8 format back then. The next two games before this years challenge cup are going to give us an insight on how the final will go. As good as this years Wigan team is, you just feel that they’ve not quite hit the form from last season. But on the day anything can happen, like the cup triumph against Saints in 19. I think Burgess will like Wire been underdogs and will use that as extra motivation.. in an ideal world I’d like 4 points and a cup win, that really would set us up going into reminder of the season

With the H.I.A. protocol that now exists, and only 7 days prior to the final, I expect that Warrington and Wigan will rest a lot (Most? of their players for the league fixture that precedes the Challenge Cup Final.

There is also the possibility of suspensions handed-out by Cullen et al. which have been a complete lottery up to now which will affect team selection for the league game.

Good point Boss.

I think both teams should put out '2nd string' teams and then - given Cull now has a mural in Warrington - the panel should hand out 1 match suspensions to all the Wigan players 1-17, and give Sam B a touchline ban for one match......

Seems fair to me.

Excellent point from Boss Hog (sorry, quote button has crapped out again) about the HIAs protocol. Thewlis, especially, needs to be rested for the Wigan league game. He has taken so many head knocks, he is starting to look like Rocky Balboa in the 12th round. If we win the cup, expect Josh to raise the trophy above his head and yell: "Yo Adrian, we did it!"

Didn't know that Morley was still on our books.