Kenneth Jarvis, Warrington Wolves Blogger

When Warrington won the Challenge Cup in 2012, the trophyless seasons that followed in 2013, 14 and 15 would hardly have been imagined, but some legends left the club and it felt like it was only up until this season that we have the talent to match that great side.

If Warrington want to make sure that 2016 isn’t another trophyless year, then this current side need to learn how to win the biggest matches, something that Warrington have rarely done in the last few years. There have been losses in three Challenge Cup semi-finals since then, two Grand Finals and of course, the recent Challenge Cup final loss. This was added to by a blown chance to win the League Leaders Shield on Friday that Warrington should have easily won after the red card to Ben Flower, but once again let it slip.

It doesn’t exactly fill you with confidence for the rest of the season and it now feels like there is a monkey on the back of the club, where we just can’t get over the line. Of course, it could all be coincidence, in that the losses have just been genuine ones that have just happened on a consecutive basis. I don’t believe in coincidences however, and there must be a reason as to why the same failures are being repeated.

A look back at the squad from the 2012 season may give some answers. Back then we still had Lee Briers, who had the ability to inspire his fellow players and fans. The likes of Kurt Gidley and Chris Sandow are great players, but they haven’t yet stepped up in the huge moments like Briers did. He seemed to thrive on the pressure, not shy away from it. Obviously Sandow and Gidley haven’t been at the club as long, and don’t have the leaders around them like Briers did.

Chris Hill has been a sensational signing by the club, and a good choice as captain, but he is the type to lead by example, and not vocally like an Adrian Morley. Comparing Adrian Morley to anybody is harsh, but he was a big part of the reason Warrington did so well in the big matches when he was at the club, and maybe the type of leader the club is missing. Briers and Morley both lifted up the Challenge Cup trophy when the club won it for the first time since 1974, and it’s clear that there aren’t those type of characters currently at the club.

One of the greatest positives about this Warrington side are the ages of most of the team, in 2012 it was a team full of players at their peak who delivered on the big occasions. Fast forward to 2016 and the majority of the team are in their early 20’s. The senior players we do have aren’t vocal out on the pitch, or don’t feel like they’ve been here long enough to take charge.

Whatever the reason for the results, Warrington have another chance to put it right on Friday. A win vs Hull FC will mean a trophy and a chance to go into the playoffs with a huge deal of positive momentum. A loss however, and further questions may be asked about this team.

The team have been very good this season, but if we come away from it with nothing to show, then it’d be very disappointing to say the least. Are we chokers? I’d like to think not, we have lost three finals since 2012 against very good teams, and have had a bit of bad luck with injuries along the way. Warrington have hopefully got three games left in the season, three games that could put to bed any talk of choking in the big matches, the players need to step up and make it happen.