It appears that we are going into this season in good shape. No injuries to worry about, optimism about how we are going to play. Good preparation in the warm up games, which for once have been played by the first team, who looked sharp, albeit against not the strongest opposition.

Is this a sign that we are going to charge into the season in true Brown fashion, and will run out of steam half way through, or that we genuinely are well prepared?

I am personally hugely positive about this season, and can see no reason why we shouldn't be competing for trophys on a level playing field with the rest of SL. The last couple of seasons, I have expected us to be up there, in the top 4, and outside bets for silverware. This season, I think we have as good a chance as anyone, and certainly on a par with Warrington (who are aging) and Leeds (who appear to have the magic touch). I think Wigan are going to struggle, and Hull, Hudds, Cats could sneak into the top spots.

Thoughts?

I think Leeds will win from 10th. Don't ask me how, they just will.

We do look in good shape, but the question will be if we can maintain it though the important part of the season.
I think everyones expectations of Wigans demise are a bit early. They have a weaker sqaud no doubt, especially in the halves but the league is weak and they'll still be top 4

There or there abouts, but we won't win anything with the backs as they are. If Brown had the bottle to play Hohaia or Makinson at fullback potentially.

Change the record. It won't happen.

Deal with it.

I think we're stronger than last year. Warrington and Catalans are our main rivals in my opinion, but then again, Leeds will probably perform their usual end of season miracle.

Worse than wakefield's, they are.......

I expect to see a more expansive style of rugby this season. We will be there or there abouts, and we are much stronger this year IMO. To predict where we will finish you have to look at the teams around us, Warrington, Wigan, etc.., who haven't really strengthened to be honest. Losing players like Leuluai, Finch and Carmont will make a huge difference for Wigan, and Warrington haven't really signed anyone during the off season. Hull and Leeds are stronger than last year, and it wouldn't surprise me if one of those two separated the so called "top 3"

Saints are in good shape, and playing Gaskell at 6 will be like a new signing for us. Manu is a great addition down the left, and with the younger players like Greenwood, Walmsley and Hand for example, we have plenty of strength in depth, and have a good mixture of youth and experiance.

We weren't to far off last year, so I see know reason why we won't pick up at least one major trophy this year.

Just a quick question, who do you think will be kicking Makinson or Lomax?

Purely for dream team purposes cheers.

Turner.

Just Clough and (sigh) Wheeler that haven't featured yet.

I think what I'm most excited about this year is Gaskell playing 6. Not just because he a talent and he improves our attacking shape, but mainly because of the (hopefully) positive effect he has on Johnnycake Lomax's game.

It was a joy to watch the pair sof them throughout 2011.

Our forwards excite me this year. I keep harping on about it, but I think we have the strongest pack in the league.

It was very solid last year, for the majority of the time. Now that we've added Manu to it, I think we'll have that extra edge and confidence to take us forward.

With Manu, it means we can have one of Manu, Sia and Puletua providing impact from the bench along with LMS, hopefully Hohaia and Flanagan/Walmsley/Clough/Greenwood. I don't think any bench in super league would come close to that this year.

Sia did a lot of long minutes last season, and I belive that Manu also plays for most of the game? TP will therefore more than likely be providing the impact, allowing one of these two to have a rest. If Perry and Lafranchi start, Clough and LMS will probably be the substitute props, with Hohaia being the back on the bench, and TP the back row/prop sub. Leaves no room for Flanaghan. Would assume he will come in to cover for injuries when they inevitably ahppen, and Walmsley will cover the prop spots. Wheeler looks a long way out of the team, even if he was fit.Loamskell have the halfs ewn up, it apperars, and Hohaia will always be the first reserve. I think if he gets the chance, he really doeshave to make a huge impact, or it is tata to him.

And now we are tipped for the top in Sporting Life www.sportinglife.com/rugby-leagu ... ve-in-2013

And now we are tipped for the top in Sporting Life www.sportinglife.com/rugby-leagu ... ve-in-2013

Quote ="SomersetSaint"And now we are tipped for the top in Sporting Life www.sportinglife.com/rugby-leagu ... ve-in-2013'" Just read that! But it seems to be their opinion that we will only finish top because Wire and Leeds can't be bothered to.

Quote ="SomersetSaint"And now we are tipped for the top in Sporting Life www.sportinglife.com/rugby-leagu ... ve-in-2013'" Just read that! But it seems to be their opinion that we will only finish top because Wire and Leeds can't be bothered to.

I'd say Flanagan was a better option than Clough. I'd put Greenwood and Walmsley ahead of him too. Flanagan may not have been spectacular last year, but I think he offers more in attack and comes up with some absolute bellringers in defence.

Madness imo. Clough was our third best metre maker last year behind robes and LMS, and he performed consistantly against any opposition. In fact, in the Wire clashes at the end of ast season, he was one of our best going forward.

I would suggest that, if Lomaskell start firing again and give us the structure we need, then it would be Wilkin that Flanaghan should target. From his past clubs we know he could do a similar tackle rate as Wilks, but he hits a lot harder.
Flash isn't without skills, although we don't see them as often and I think, moving forward,balancing the cap, he's is a better bet at 13 for us than Wilkin.

I think Clough offers us balance as a "plodder" when we have so many players that are out and out attackers, in TP, Manu, LMS and Sia. He is the steady workhorse that we need to be able to allow the others to shine. Don't underestimate his value to the team as a whole.

Is Wheeler still alive?

To be honest, I think that is perfectly true. We will probably only need to improve a little bit to overtake the likes of Wigan and Warrington, who appear to be going backwards, Wigan quite quickly, and Warrington who are aging and not recruiting. Leeds are really an odd team, and we'll have no idea how we stack up against them until October.

But, isn't it harsh to label him a plodder when he's made more yards than Boof, Perry and Puletua?

He's not perfect, he doesn't get many offloads, and perhaps he's can't dominate the attacker as well as Perry, but he makes the yards and has a very low error/penalty/missed tackle rate.
Add to that he probably doesn't command the biggest wage, I'd say he's a pretty useful squad member.

Read the sig.

perfectly describes my thoughts on Clough

As a neutral who are your 1st choice wingers, Makinson on the right? Whoever is on the left side could be in for as treat inside Manu.