Widnes ---11/4 -Betfred
Halifax ---10/3 -Betfred
Leigh ---11/2 -Bet 365
Whitehaven--- 11/2 -Bet 365
Featherstone--- 8 -Bet 365
Sheffield ---12 -Bet 365
Batley ---16 -Bet 365
Oldham ---25 -Bet 365
Doncaster ---25 -Bet 365
Barrow- ---28 -Betfred
Keighley ---33 -Bet 365
Gateshead ---50 -Betfred
Swinton ---50 -Bet 365
Dewsbury ---66 -Bet 365
Rochdale ---100 -Bet 365
York ---150 -Bet 365
Workington---150 -Bet 365
Blackpool ---250 -Bet 365
London ---350 -Bet 365
Hunslet ---500 -Bet 365

No idea why 'Haven have got shorter odds than Fev; they'd be my dark horse for the final.

I like those odds. They don't put us far behind Widnes. Here's hoping that they get a surprise loss along the way.

Its because as the title suggests its the best odds for the NRC.
People `In the know` will also be wondering why the best odds you can get on Leigh are 11/2. Better putting a quid on em finding Lord Lucan.

Barrow at 28/1 !?!?!?

Skybet actually had Barrow at 50/1 and I went each way on that. Even 28/1 are ridiculous odds. Has no-one seen the Barrow squad??

Doncaster, Oldham and Batley are more fancied

You see, this is how bookies make their money.

Realistically there are at least 4 other teams that are better than Barrow. For Barrow to make the final they will probably have to avoid those teams. Its really not going to happen.

Are Oldham, Batley and Doncaster better ?? Gateshead were tipped by the bookies for the wooden spoon last season - nuff said.

Barrow will be a match for any team in the Championship this season. We have 5 players due to arrive in the country shortly (the 3 Fijians World Cup players, Ned Catic and 1 other - TBA next week I understand). Four of them are eligible to play in the NR Cup and once they gel with the existing squad I'd fancy us against anyone.

Not for quite a few years mate

int he banned any way ???

He is, that's why I went on to post "Four of them are eligible to play in the NR Cup and once they gel with the existing squad I'd fancy us against anyone."

Barrows problem is similar to Fev in that they have no strength in depth and have a good 10 or so players but then are struggling for quality especially when you compare against Widnes and Halifax who have good strength in depth in all positions.
The other thing is that stepping up from NL2 to 1 is a big step and many teams struggle with having to play each week to the best of their ability and why for mine NL1 is the best League as any team from Barrow and Gateshead to Widnes can beat the rest or at least match them for most of the game.
Barrow should do well this year but they will not get above 4th nor will they get to the final of the Rail Cup.

You see, in my post i wasnt including Oldham, Batley, and Doncaster as any of the 4.
Dont get me wrong it looks like you have assembled a decent squad that should be well capable of comfortably keeping you in the division. I doubt you will be challenging for honours this season though, id guess your away form will see to that.

We'll have to agree to disagree I think. We have real strength in depth this year, more than i can remember in the last 20 years.

You may not have heard of some of them, but they're real quality players.

What sort of side are Barrow going to field against Oldham today? I believe Oldham are putting a strong side out so perhaps the game could reflect how far Barrow have come on from last season, That Said I know friendlys can be hard to judge.

What are Barrow's realistic expectations for this season? Top 6?

Im shocked to see Barrow least favourates of the Championship sides and behind Oldham I have predicted them to finish top 4 in our league as I feel they have made some quality signings. They do however say that the bookmakers are not far wrong?

Barrow should go fairly well this year, teams won't enjoy having to go up there. That said Barrow probably won't enjoy travelling away either. It'll be intersting to see how all their new players gel and how much effort they put in and how many of them are there for the money.

barrow 38 - Oldham 4
barrow are missing 7 from the starting line up

strength in depth ??

A ) Its a friendly game which is often used as trial and error.
B ) Oldham are a Division 2 side-albeit a good one and should go up but many said that last year!

C ) Playing against teams who have a number of players who have or at least should be in SL will be a strong test for Doncaster, Gateshead and Barrow. There are no easy games in Div 1 like in Div 2 and you cant afford to pick your games to finish in the top 4 or so.

Having said that Barrow will go well this season and thats great to see as they have had some hard times like many teams in NL1 in the recent past. However to expect them to be challenging for silverware is being very optimistic. I would expect Barrow to lose very few if any home games-similar to Haven in many ways. What will decide how they do in the League and Cup is how well they travel and how well they cope with any major injury lists which does happen often.

Oldham had a number of players missing as well. Dosnt bode well for Leigh though, what with their result against Oldham.

Three changes

Widnes ---11/4 -Betfred
Halifax ---10/3 -Betfred
Leigh ---11/2 -Bet 365 now 6/1 - tote sport
Whitehaven--- 11/2 -Bet 365 now 13/2 - tote sport
Featherstone--- 8 -Bet 365
Sheffield ---12 -Bet 365
Batley ---16 -Bet 365
Oldham ---25 -Bet 365
Doncaster ---25 -Bet 365
Barrow- ---28 -Betfred
Keighley ---33 -Bet 365
Gateshead ---50 -Betfred
Swinton ---50 -Bet 365
Dewsbury ---66 -Bet 365
Rochdale ---100 -Bet 365
York ---150 -Bet 365
Workington---150 -Bet 365
Blackpool ---250 -Bet 365
London ---350 -Bet 365 now 500/1 totesport
Hunslet ---500 -Bet 365

Once less now according to the Barrow board. Their star Fijian isnt coming any more and going to play in France.

Latest Betting From Sky Bet -

Halifax 5/2 Doncaster 33/1
Widnes 4/1 Gateshead 40/1
Leigh 7/1 Dewsbury 40/1
Whitehaven 7/1 Swinton 50/1
Sheffield 9/1 York 66/1
Featherstone 9/1 Rochdale 100/1
Barrow 14/1 Workington 150/1
Batley 16/1 Blackpool 150/1
Keighley 16/1 Hunslet 500/1
Oldham 16/1 London 500/1

How do things bode for Leigh now we've turned over Widnes? The score at Barrow was purely down to injuries. We had 11 players out, nine of whom would expect to be in the 17 most weeks. Unfortunately the vast majority were forwards, which is where Barrow are vey strong. Only one player who started in the pack against Barrow started against Widnes last night hence the difference in performance. 2Bobs. Paul Highton, Phil Joseph, Tommy Goulden and Jason Boults all came into the 17, plus Jamie I'Anson wasn't limited to 5 minute spells as at Barrow when he was ill.

Cheers for Boultsy by the way, he's been great for Oldham.

Having seen Barrow and Widnes though I'd have a few bob on Widnes not qualifying for the knockout stages. I'd be suprised if they go to Craven Park and win. The Barrow pack is very strong. That would only leave them with two wins and I don't think that will be enough.