By Paul Fletcher

Fielden admits he has not played his best for the Warriors this season

Wigan prop Stuart Fielden believes his team's inconsistent season could still end in glory, but he is adamant it has put him off the prospect of coaching.

Brian Noble's side face a Super League play-off game at Bradford on Friday having hitting a rich vein of form.

"If I could put my finger on why [we've been erratic], I'd give Brian a ring and tell him," Fielden told BBC Sport.

"I'm sure it is why he has turned even greyer and been pulling his hair out. I would hate to be a coach."

Wigan are unbeaten in their last five games and secured the sixth and final Super League play-off spot with a 20-12 victory over arch-rivals St Helens at the JJB Stadium on Friday - their first win over Saints since March 2005.

It was a far cry from some of their performances earlier in the season, which included a 26-16 defeat at home to Hull KR, a 41-16 reverse at Huddersfield, a 32-6 thrashing to Wakefield and a shock 37-24 loss to French side Catalans Dragons in the Challenge Cup semi-final.

We've beaten all the top teams and we are going to have to beat them all again Wigan prop Stuart Fielden

"What is the difference between beating a top team and then being absolutely diabolical and losing to a bottom team?

"The answer is I don't know because nothing changed. The team did not change, it is not as though we suddenly took the week off," he said.

In conversation, as out on the pitch, Fielden is direct and to the point.

He compares Wigan's season to the 'Big One' rollercoaster at Blackpool Pleasure Beach - up one week, down the next - and describes at least four of his team's performances this season as "disgraceful".

But having won four and drawn one of their last five games, Fielden is hoping the Warriors have hit form when it matters most.

"We have started to get more cohesion and stability with regard to people playing in the right spots," said Fielden, who turned 28 last Friday.

Fielden won every trophy going with Bradford and hopes he can win silverware with Wigan

"Reaching sixth means that we have a really big challenge but it is one that everyone is looking forward to.

"It is a no-lose situation in that no-one expects anyone to do anything from sixth place. It is a no-pressure situation."

Fielden knows about defying the odds when it comes to the play-offs.

Only one team has won the Grand Final having finished outside the top two in the regular season - and Fielden was a member of it.

The Bradford Bulls had endured an inconsistent season in 2005 until hitting form at the right time to reach their fifth straight final, where they defeated Leeds Rhinos at Old Trafford.

"When I was at Bradford with Brian Noble we won the last 12 games, with the team in fifth place when the run started," said the Great Britain player.

"There is a belief this year that we can go all the way. We've beaten all the top teams and we are going to have to beat them again if we want to get anywhere."

But the honesty that makes Fielden such an engaging character is never far away, and he knows that, having finished sixth, there will be no second chances for Wigan.

"We can still play better than we did against Saints. That performance needs to be our minimum standard," he said.

It has been the worst year performance-wise of my career - I have my reasons but no excuses Stuart Fielden

"It is easy saying you have the belief but you have to go out and do it. Lose one and you're gone."

Fielden is also pleased his own form has improved after a season that has seen some question whether Great Britain's most feared enforcer of recent times had lost some of his steel.

Of his first full campaign at Wigan, Fielden states: "I've been pretty honest and said it has been the worst year performance-wise of my career. I hold my hand up. I have my reasons but no excuses."

And after an indifferent season, Fielden is just hoping that the rollercoaster ride ends on a high.