Ardent Wire fan Rob Watson gives his take on the closing stages of a season that could yet repeat the last title glory of 1955

THREE games to go and this season could still either finish with the biggest disappointment of all or with two trophies and the greatest triumph for over 60 years.

Anything less than winning at Old Trafford would be so hard to take, even compared to all the disappointments in recent years.

It would be such a let down because we have added plenty of strength in depth, some star quality and experience at half back that we have been missing for the past two or three years, but also because the other established top Super League teams – the ones that usually end up taking the main prize – have not been at their strongest and have almost left the stage clear for ourselves and Hull to take the spotlight.

It’s often said that you have to experience the agony of defeat to fully appreciate the ecstasy of victory, and indeed that agony can be the final piece of motivation needed to get to the ecstasy.

In what could still be such an historically successful season, The Wire have already had two crushing blows.

The loss in the epic encounter at Wembley was heart breaking but in many ways was so much easier to take than Friday’s loss at home to Wigan, when a win would have clinched the League Leaders’ Shield.

At Wembley my overriding feeling was one of the players being involved in an awesome game that neither side deserved to lose, but sadly one of them had to.

Whereas being 14 points ahead against 12 men with 20 minutes or so to go and then losing had a hint of embarrassment.

It could easily be described as unbelievable, yet for Wire fans so used to disappointments when big games become close encounters it was all too believable.

Not only would the win have guaranteed a trophy but of course it would have allowed the option of the first-team players resting up for the game against Hull and preparing for a home semi final.

Virtually all year there has been a feeling of the team not quite functioning at their best, as if they’re stuck in third gear but threatening to slip into fifth at any moment.

Hopefully it will all come gloriously into place when it matters most.

Whether you agree with the style or not, it at least looks like the team has settled on an identity for this season.

There have been many complaints about the two ‘non-wingers’ playing on the wing, seemingly forgetting that for his first couple of years or so in the first team Rhys Evans did play on the wing, so he’s no stranger to it.

Clearly though the emphasis has been put on causing havoc right down the middle of their opponents’ defence, exposing any gaps directly behind the play-the-ball.

To do this the back three has been loaded up with the best kick returners and acting half-back runners at our disposal.

When the style is so reliant on a quick play-the-ball then that first tackle of a set is crucial.

A quick play-the-ball there makes the next one so much easier and it is a snowball effect from then.

In recent games especially, opponents have had the biggest struggle coping with The Wire when they have committed to this style and hammered them repeatedly down the middle.

This has been particularly so in the second half when players are tiring.

There is no reason to go away from that plan, as American Football coaches would say: “We will keep running it until they can stop it.”

The destruction it causes in the defence can lead to broken field and off-the-cuff play that The Wire can still excel at when they trust themselves.

It might not be everybody’s favoured style of play but if you have got a card that can win the hand, then play that card.

One down side to that style is that while it can be effective in getting you close to the try line, it does not really help with scoring the tries from close range.

Close to the opponents’ line is when you want your half backs to come alive and create the tries or at least the repeat sets.

Watching Wire now and indeed any other current Super League side makes me appreciate just how good Lee Briers and Brett Hodgson were at swinging the ball out wide near the opponents’ try line and how good Trent Waterhouse was at the underrated skill of being the lead runner.

All teams still try and run the same play, but half a second or half a step out and the defence is all over them.

At this stage of the season it is nowhere near the time to be thinking of what deficiencies might cost us the title, it is all about thinking what strengths can win us the title and focus on sticking to them and making the most out of them.

It is time to not dwell on disappointments, but to instead use them to spur you on to great achievements.

Three games left and if it is to be classed as a successful season then there is one game that would be nice to win and two games that they have to win.

Now is not the time for players to wait around and hope somebody else does enough to win the game, it is time for every player to step up and do their own job as well as they possibly can and take responsibility for achieving the ultimate prize.

After last Friday all the other fans are laughing at The Wire again – the players still have a chance to shut them up!