Success-wise, I guess about the same as last year. Too many key players likely to be past their peak IMO, whether it be through age or through injury and one or two may struggle to find sufficient motivation. Recruitment hasn't left me convinced over the club's level of aspiration, although in part this may be a consequence of contracts already in place.

Style-wise I'm more optimistic, though whether this will translate into wins in the games that really matter who can say.

One thing's for sure, I'm looking forward to the season's start as much as ever.

Yes I noticed McGuire too, but I'm more more inclined to let spelling go, at least that one is still the same phonetically. He could be shouting "Magwire" from the stands and nobody would be any wiser. Burrows however, does my tree in!

I think we should just pluralise all players, then I won't notice it as much. Peacocks, passes to Sinfields who chips it to Halls for a try in the corner. Works fine! We're often called a team full of Seniors anyway!! (See what I did there! I thank you!)

dont worry about it pal. i combat it by using tomkin and eastmonds whenever i can!

I was more concerned with the response you received rather than what you put, which was fairly obviously tongue in cheek coming from you.

Having just watched the highlights of the Crusaders game, either we're going to win the league, or they're going to finish bottom. I'd plump for the latter.

Talk about men against boys!! You know you've got defensive problems when Sinnie is allowed to get that kick away (About 1:45 in)!

Burrow's's's's is looking sharp too!

Considering Sinfield was key to all but the last one of the try's, you could say we would be up poop creek without a paddle if he gets injured.

That was always going to be the case to be fair. We're not the same team without Sinfield even when DMc is about. Without him either, well, let's just pray he stays fit!

.......and also stays in form.

When Leeds are at their best, Sinfield's usually the catalyst.

I'm a disappointed I've been sussed so quickly. I just wanted to be a troll.

Pay close attention to Mr Swiftcorn - then do the exact opposite.

You should be fine.

He was fun on the Bulls board for a while but was naughty & is not allowed to play there anymore.

3rd in the League, CC Winners.

Is it possible to expect the unexpected? I would argue it's impossible because if you expect it, it is by definition not unexpected. I guess I don't know what to expect and I'm worried that if I expect the unexpected then it won't be unexpected when it happens and I will have caused the season to be predicatble and boring.

The only think I can safely expect is that some people are going to get upset a bit.

Wow, thats deep.

I seem to remember at some point in the life of this message board that certain weight was given to something called the Flat Track Bully Table:

Wigan - Won 4 Lost 2
St Helens - Won 4 Lost 2
Leeds - Won 3 Lost 3
Warrington - Won 1 Lost 5


Add in the playoffs and Cup results:
Wigan - Played 10 Won 6 Lost 4
St Helens - Played 9 Won 5 Lost 4
Leeds - Played 11 Won 6 Lost 5
Warrington - Played 8 Won 2 Lost 6

So by the previously agreed way of measuring the top 4, actually Warrington finished last.

I think we'll be there or thereabouts again this year - can't really ask for much more than that in a salary capped league.

The top 4 or 5 teams have definitely improved significantly last year and probably will again this.

I am looking forward to seeking how our squad develops as the year goes on - we need to bring some of the kids through ready for the next few years but we have some genuinely talented kids on the fringes...BJB, Watkins, Hood, Ambler, Clarkson etc

in't playoffs, and in't cup til semi's..
arr reckon

Should be an interesting year my concerns are:
Lack of half back for over half the season and it is unknown wether McGuire will resemble the player of last year - those who think Sinfield is a 6 are in denial - without McGuire last year we would have lost a lot more games than we did.

Lack of go forward without Peacock, Kylie nice fellow but easily neutralised, less said about his defence the better - as for Peacock read McGuire - will he be the player he was?

How much game time will Senior get? his defence is shocking and with another year is unlikely to improve

I was a big McClennan fan but the last year was very poor and the team stagnated at best. Hopefully under McDermott we will see a a more expansive free flowing style. Hopefully the young players will blossom - Liam Hood is the most exciting talent at Headingley since McGuire

I think we will finish top four behind Wigan, Warrington and Huddersfield - can't wait for the season to start

Looking forward to a season of rational discussion with you - let's hope we can raise the quality of debate beyond the norm - although I doubt it - sadly

I predict...

Continued decline in overall standards of British RL

Increased levels of static, defense oriented games

Sky commentators stating that this is the most competitive season ever and that every team can beat everyone else 'on their day'

An almost blanket disappearance of RL coverage at a national level

Another dire set of performances by the England side in the 'four' nations

Further financial struggles for three or four 'top flight' clubs including Harlequins Crusaders and Wakefield

Continued decline in attendances at club games

Leeds will win the double

I think we'll probably be competitive, but doubt we'll win the league. A bit of a transition season. May do ok in the cup

I can't see what all this transition and going backwards crap is all about and anyone who says we are not producing the young talent cannot be watching the same young players as me. We had a season without trophys ok. but just look at the injurys we suffered. I fully expect the team to be in the shake up, what more can you realisticaly ask for. I am not sure yet whether the new recruits are of the standard needed but give them a chance. Some of the youger guys have a chance to lay down a marker this season and one or two will make it. As for the production line, well like other clubs you have to let one or two go and risk them proving themselves elsewhere can't keep them all, but just look at a few in the pipeline, Hood an undoubted future star,Casey looks good to me, Singleton, Stewart, Wilson, carvell, Syron all looking good to me.

i think that we'll be competitive yet again in sl,whether that will be enough for us to win it,only time will tell
i hope that phil clarkes rugby gods of the "hot balls in the bag variety" are in our favour,
as 2011 could be our year for a cc win

write the rhinos off at your peril!