Stevo says that Wigan have to put down a marker against Leeds and backs Stuart Fielden to do it.
Fever pitch at JJB Stadium
This is a big moment for Stuart Fielden. It is his big opportunity to show that he is getting back into top form. Maybe he is not quite the player he was three or four seasons ago when he was voted the best player in the world, but he is getting there.
Jamie Peacock went through a bit of a lull too when he left Bradford and went to Leeds where he found it a little bit difficult. He recovered a lot quicker than Fielden has but I think it is fantastic that Stuart is finally getting his confidence back.
Not only that but there is an opportunity to show that he has a little bit more to his game than just being battering ram. He is superb when he is aggressive with ball in hand, but I also think he should start thinking a little bit more constructively. If he can do that, then he can steer Wigan to a famous win.
It is about time Wigan put down a marker and they could find themselves playing Leeds in the play-offs if they get themselves organised. This is probably one of the most crucial games of the seasons for both sides.
Leeds, slowly but surely after a bit of a blip in the build up to the semi-final, have started to get back to that scintillating form we saw in the opening half of the season.
The likes of Brent Webb have started to come into it and the combinations have started to click yet again. I think one of the most important factors is that Gareth Ellis is just playing out of his skin.
Ellis went off the boil a bit because he was moved from his favourite position in the second row to the centres. I think Leeds lacked his power and punch up the middle.
Now that he is back in the pack he is reaping the rewards. He has signed for Wests Tigers next season. He wants to leave Leeds on a high and wants to leave a legacy at Headingley.
Despite losing a player and down to 12 men for most of the game last week, Wigan still had enough in the tank to overcome Wakefield.
The way George Carmont has been playing has been fantastic to watch, plus in the tight games, you have the likes of Pat Richards who can ensure they can get the extra couple of points when a penalty comes their way. It could boil down to that - and it could be the difference here.
Leeds could travel back over the Pennines thinking that this Wigan side are a bit of a hoodoo side. A lot of people may think that Leeds coach Brian McClennan's tactics, at times, are a little bit cautious. I think they will probably play that way to see whether their forwards can get on top. It is not going to be easy.
Stevo says
Home win - Wigan should win but it is going to be very tough. As I have said time and time again, Wigan have to put down a marker and this is the game that counts.
Stevo's star man
I started this column talking about him and I am going to end with him. Stuart Fielden is the man that
has to perform to get his side on the front foot. I really hope to see his usual aggressive runs, but I also hope to see something a little bit more from this superb player.
