High stakes for Micky and company (From Warrington Guardian)

High stakes for Micky and the Warrington Wolves team

9:30am Friday 21st September 2012 in Wolves news By Mike Parsons

MICKY Higham says ‘something very special’ is at stake as Wolves enter the do-or-die stages of their league and cup double dream.

As a past Grand Final winner with St Helens against Bradford in 2002, he cherishes the memories that are driving him towards getting the job done against Hull FC on Saturday and ultimately making a long awaited return to Old Trafford.

“It’s 10 years, a long time ago, but I do remember it like yesterday,” said the hooker, who celebrated his 32nd birthday on Tuesday.

“I’m hoping I’m long overdue for another trip there and that’s most definitely always been my aim.

“I didn’t do it when I was at Wigan. We probably underachieved in my time there.

“With the squad we’ve got now at Warrington and having not reached the Grand Final over the last three seasons, I think it’s just us that can beat ourselves at times.

“But I do think we’re in a stronger position now to get there.

“We’re a little bit more experienced. That Leeds game (last year’s play-offs eliminator) gave us an insight that you’ve got to turn up with your best game and against St Helens on Saturday it gave us a kick up the backside to the point that I think we’ll come bouncing back.”

Higham’s current 10-year journey to an Old Trafford return highlights the ex-England star as a prime example of the need to seize the moment.

“You can probably write a list of great players who have played the game and never won a Challenge Cup or Grand Final,” said Higham, whose performances this year have earned him an extended contract to the end of 2013.

“So you’ve got to take these opportunities when they come.

“You’ve got to make the most of them because they are special moments that will live with you forever.

“I still remember the buzz from just walking out at Old Trafford. I’m a little bit older and wiser now but I’d still be the same with hairs standing on the back of my neck if we do get there.

“It would be a just reward for what has been a consisent season and I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t at the back of my mind.

“And to do the double after winning the Challenge Cup would be something very special and that’s what we’re aiming to do.”

He added: “Briersy (stand off Lee Briers ) mentioned this week: ‘Yes, that’s the big prize but the most important thing at the moment is Hull FC on Saturday.’ “We are putting all our thoughts into this next game and it’s the best way to prepare. The mentality has to be that the next game is the most important one and then you can worry about the next one.

“That’s what we did in the Challenge Cup, concentrate game by game.

“Hopefully we can take a bit of that into three games (Hull, semi final and Grand Final).

“We’re certainly capable of winning three games in a row, we’ve done a lot more than that.

“If we keep our feet on the floor we know that on our day, when we’re on top of our game, we’re confident we can beat any team.

“We’ve started this week well with our preparations and hopefully we’ll finish it off with a win on Saturday.”