There are so many subjectives that could be levied at that post, none of which may end up been true, but still should be taken into account.

Is Cross although probably decent, even half as good as Eastwood?
Will Cross considering an injury prone past actually be fit for the whole season?
Will Hauraki have second season syndrome in this country?
Is Watkins still proven yet for this level?
What about just how old Senior is now?
Could Clarkson have second season syndrome?
Will Ali manage 50% of games?
Will Peaock return on time with no setbacks?
Will McGuire return on time with no setbacks?
Will the half back pairing we go with work?
Will the players gel to a new coaches methods?
Will JJB go back even further or will he improve again?
Is Kirke a given again?

I am sure there will be more. But it's quite easy to just say it will all be rosy and an ideal world, but maybe some of the others have taken the above into account and gone the other way.

Change the names in the above mate and that can be aimed at ANY squad in the league.
I'm a glass half full person and think we can do better than many have tipped and i'll stand by it.

In my opinion, I think it could be different again this season. a few teams have had quite a few changes, and you can never tell how the referees are going to decide how to let the game be played from one season to the next. I think some of the only certainties are that crusaders and quins will be at the foot of the table.

Leeds should be getting a good off season with a lot of players having small bits of surgery. The rest and change of coaching set-up could set the team up for a good start to the season.

Agreed. I've put us 3rd. Mainly because of the new backroom staff, and JP & McG missing.

I personally have a problem with Smithy on the wing. To be honest I'm not really a fan of Smithy at all. Just my preference. I'd rather throw Hardaker in at the deep end and get rid of Smith but can totally understand the arguments for not doing that.

Other than that, I'm pretty happy with our squad (counting JP & Mags in it).

I can see no reason why we won't be challenging for the major honours (including League Leaders Shield) next year. Best of luck to everyone! It's going to be a cracker!

Why do all your comments have to have a dig at Leeds. What's the point? Could be quite anoying to some but I then think I shall just enjoy my life that I have and shall completely ignore all your posts, and just feel sorry for you because it all seems a little sad

6 giants players have been away while all but one of ours has had a full pre season for the first time in many years, and all have had minor ops to tidy up niggles.
last year we were battered by injuries but still finished above shudds and i firmly anticipate us finishing above them again next season

Yes I agree it can't be a bad thing that most of the squad have had a good rest, cleared up niggly injuries and had a good pre season together

Don't be fooled by 'Keith' - he is a Leeds supporter and also the most seasoned and subtle troll to frequent these boards.

Just take what he says with a large pinch of salt and don't let him get under your skin.

I am also optimistic for next year. They key factor for me will be the effect the new coaching set up has on the team. Last season I felt we didn't play well as a team and went backwords in our team skills and tactics. IMO we finished higher in the league than our form deserved and that top three finish was down to some outstanding individual work by a certain few players, Danny McGuire in particular, rather than the overall team performance.

So I an expecting (hoping) the new coaches to overcome the loss of the injured stars by concentrating on the regaining the team skills with good backing up and offloading and having a better tactical game plan.

The addition of a fit again DM and JP in mid/late summer will give a huge boost and be like two new star signings. Also Sinfield will have had a good rest for the first time in many years and if he plays at 6 for the first half season, which I expect, he will have had less tackling to do and his attacking flair will be all the sharper for it.

I agree, I felt for alot of last season we were playing without any real structure or purpose and were mostly relying on the likes of McGuire's individual brilliance to win matches. We know we have the quality available, it's just getting everyone firing together. I Reckon if we can get back to basics and start playing as a proper team with attacking lines and defensive structure, we have more than enough quality to make it successful.

I agree last year we did seem to rely on individual brilliance with the odd game appearing to all gel. I am excited regarding the new season but looking forward to boxing day for the first glimpse of possible new structures play etc

i'm going for a regular season sl table finish of
1:wigan
2:saints
3:warrington
4:rhinos
5:huddersfield
6:hull fc
7:hull kr
8:bulls
9:castleford
10:salford
11:catalans
12:crusaders
13:wakefield
14:quins

Wigan
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Leeds
St Helens
Warrington
Huddersfield
Bradford
Hull FC
Salford
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hull KR
Catalans
Castleford
Crusaders
Wakefield
Hralequins

1 Wigan
2 Wire
3 Saints
4 Leeds
5 Hull
6 Huddersfield
7 Bradford
8 Hull KR
9 Salford
10 Catalans
11 Harlequins
12 Castleford
13 Wakefield
14 Crusaders

Because we will be playing the first half of the season minus two key players I predict the regular season's table to end up like this..

Saints
Wigan
Wire
Leeds
Hull
Huddersfield
Hull KR
Bradford
Catalans
Salford
Wakefield
Castleford
Harlequins
Crusaders

Saints
Leeds
Wigan
Wire
Hull
Huddersfield
Hull KR
Salford
Bradford
Castleford
Catalans
Wakefield
Harlequins
Crusaders

I think we will do better than Warrington and will be contesting closely for 2nd.

1-Warriors
2-Saints
3-Rhinos
4-Wolves
5-Giants
6-Hull FC
7-Hull KR
8-Bulls
9-Reds
10-Dragons
11-Tigers
12-Crusaders
13-Wildcats
14-Quins

All this talk of a possible 4th finish got me thinking about this pre-season thread.

I don't think I could have been more wrong if I tried.

Can't believe this hasn't been done yet.



Amateurs, the lot of you.

Regular season now over, it's time for the results.

First of all the ground rules:

1) All entries must contain 14 unique and/or clearly identifiable teams

2) Scoring System: Correct position scores 0, 1 away from correct position scores 1, 2 away scores 2 etc

The aim is to achieve the lowest score

3) In case of a tie:

Tie-Breaker 1 = Most correct positions
Tie-Breaker 2 = Re-score only using the top eight

__________

Assuming everyone is happy (if not please add your comments) I'll score the entries in the morning and all being well post the final table around lunch-time.

Based on tvoc's scoring system, I score myself at 20. No idea whether that's any good or not.

I was miles out with Catalans (I had them 11th, scoring a massive 4 points!) but everyone else I was 2 places out max.

Looking forward to seeing the results. Only Billy Rhino had Wire 1st so top marks to him for that! He got the Top 8 right too! (As did Swiftcorn!)

Also, interestingly, most people got 7 of the top 8 right, and of those, it was almost always Catalans that people got wrong. Wigan, Wire, Saints, Hudds, Leeds, and the Hull clubs made it into MOST top 8s with lots of people wrongly predicting Salford or Bradford as the 8th team.

Only got 1st and 5th place wrong. 8 points. Surely the winner.

Since when as 'Them' been Castleford?

Unfortunately that entry doesn't quite satisfy ground rule number 1 and consequently fell at the first.

I sense the excitement is really starting to build .....