The big four clubs in English rugby league are obviously Wigan, Leeds, Saints and - despite their recent problems - Bradford. It's therefore no real surprise that those teams have taken up every single Grand Final spot with the exception of Hull's in 2006 since its inception, and have won all of them.



For me we're in the second tier alongside Hull. Plenty of potential - Hull even moreso than us if we're being honest - but it never quite gets realised. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. We've both been able to win Challenge Cups in the last few years but when it comes to taking the next step up we've failed. It's almost as if the shirt you pull on tells you what you're going to achieve before you've even done it. Saints, Wigan and Leeds all belong in the Grand Final. Warrington don't.



Over the next few years I fully expect us to return to our natural level, which is the middle to lower reaches of the play off positions if its a top eight format, or a struggle to get into the play offs if its a smaller format. It's where we belong.



Go on Wire prove me wrong if you can.



Depressed 'ere.

We beat Leeds in the play-offs once, don't think we'll see the likes of those days again...

Spot on really i'm afraid !

Getting carried away here DM. Win 2 games and we are the bride as you put it. Poor performance, I think it's fair to say everyone's disappointed but back on the horse next week against Hull/Hudds and then hopefully Wigan or Saints the week after.

jeeze anyone got a butter knife???



we lost one game yes all be it in the playoffs but we are still alive and we are still fighting.



i guess you would not go to old trafford if we made it as we dont belong there and would make you a hypocrite

When I started reading, I thought it was sal on a wind-up (on my phone, so it only shows the author at the end). Jeez, DM, throw the baby out with the bath-water, why don't you?

We are one of the big four clubs and we have the trophies to prove it. However last season was our best chance to win the title as we played the best rugby I had seen from our team.



This year we have been unconvincing in comparison.



Still surprised last night happened but it ended up speaking volumes. Seems some teams just know how to get the GF and we are not one of them.

"big club" is just a title. Saints are one of these big clubs and have won absolutely nothing for 4 years. I am happy to go on winning silverware and let other people decide if we're are a big club or not.

That's one depressed guy!

Can anybody please remind how Wigan's victorious 2010 play off campaign actually unfolded from week 1 through to the final at Old Trafford??....

Oh do get a grip. We lost a game against the team that have made the grand final the past 6 consecutive years. We had a terrible night last night but it isn't the end of the world.



I am willing to bet that we will beat Hudds/Hull next week, quote me on that. We will then probably end up at Langtree Park where we will play infinitely better than yesterday. If we travel to Leeds then we face a team that we spanked in the CC final a mere few weeks ago.

We can't play Leeds before OT. It's Hull/Hudds and if we win, Saints/Wigan depending who Wigan pick out of us/Hull/Hudds or Catalans/Leeds.