So an important two points last night at Salford, and today I have been studying our remaining fixtures plus those of other teams, and the more I think about it, looking at the table as it stands right now, is it only me or does anyone else think that a top 4 finish is still a possibility, and if we managed it, would it rather paper over some cracks that have appeared this season?
I wonder what people's perception of Brian Mac would be if he lead us to Wembley and got us to a top 4 finish, just like Bluey managed in his last year in 2010?

We'll have played very well to finish in 6th, let alone in the top 4.

Leeds will finish 5th. It has been decreed.

Interesting replies so far, but all our remaining games, for me, up to round 27 are pretty winnable, and we have a round 27 clash at the Galpharm which COULD end up being a right four pointer, depending how the Giants go between now and then.

Catalan are nailed on for a win tonight - they're winning 24 - 6 v Quins at the moment. This will put them 4 points clear of us. We'd need to not slip up between now and round 26 (and Catalan lose all 3) just to get into 5th. I'd like to see the odds you'd get from a bookie for a top 4 finish

It's a fair question from the OP given Leeds remaining regular round fixtures against whipping boy SL rabble. Huddersfield's current form places them among the aforementioned rabble.

On current form, Catalan Dragons are the biggest obstacle to a Top 4 finish for Leeds.

The next biggest obstacle to a Top 4 finish is Leeds appearance in the CC Final at Wembley.

I expect Leeds to finish 5th or 6th as my pre-season prediction stated.

We will have to go unbeaten to the end of the regular season and have results go our way, therefore I think it's 5th place at best

Not so firm on the 5th place anymore then?

I predicted 6th pre-season. As the season wore on the trend appeared to be that Leeds were still very good at disposing of the SL whipping boy rabble most of the time, hence my projected belief that 5th was possible.

If Leeds weren't faced with another trip to Wembley, I'd still be confident of 5th.

But they are faced with another trip to Wembley.

5th at best and even if we win the cup the abysmal SL performances with JEDWARD at the helm won't be papered over imo nor willt he ridiculous call to give Kirke a 2 yr deal!

6th is now most likely given the ineptitude of our nearest rivals for said position

Yeah ok maybe a top four finish was a little bit optimistic

so after tonights results I'll bow to poular opinion and agree 6th place is a little more realistic, anything better would be a massive bonus!

6th with an outside chance of 5th.

Still wont get anywhere near a GF semi though.

Ditto

[uWeek 1[/u: Home game against SL whipping boy rabble - in other words, a home game against either Castleford, Hull or Hull KR. No problem.

[uWeek 2[/u: Away game against the Top 4 losers in Week 1 - in other words, an away game against either Wigan, Warrington, St Helens, Huddersfield or Catalan. Problematic. Would need to be against one of the latter two, ideally. Let's assume the best case believist scenario. Another Leeds win away at either Huddersfield or Catalan. Any of the other three... GOODBYE!

[uWeek 3[/u: Semi Final away at either Wigan, Warrington or St Helens. GOODBYE!

This whole whipping boy rabble agenda/trolling thingy magigy is boring.

You've milked it dry, come up with some new material, and move on.

I really feeldirty saying this, but in the words of Rio Ferdinand:

You got merked

Really? Why?

Unfortunately Keith, for once, I think you're pretty much spot on. Even if we win one of the "goodbye" games in week 2 I can't see us backing up in week 3/4.

I think our best chance for a deep play off run is either to finish 5, giving us half a chance against Cats/Hudds if they finish 4th and lose; or for Saints to fall away and end up 4th meaning we'd potentially play Hudds/Cats as a 3rd place loser if we ended up 6th!

Chances of winning the lot - none, not even stretching to slim

I take back what I've said in this thread. I think we have a real chance of clinching fourth spot with Huddersfield losing tonight.

This is how the table look now:

Pos. Team Pld. For Ag. Pts.
4 Huddersfield 25 633 481 30
5 Catalan Dragons 24 605 553 29
6 Leeds 24 640 527 27

As long as we can win tomorrow, all we need is for Catalan to slip up (very possible v. Wire tomorrow) and for us to win our final two games, the final one of which as you all know is against Huddersfield. We have a much better points difference than Catalan and I can't see them overcoming this. So should Catalan win 2 of 3 and we can win against Wakey and Hudds, we will finish 4th! This seems very realistic now to me.