Thank you GiantDee and Roofaldo,that was exactly what I meant

Have to agree the squad is better than last season, and if it stays in situ we would probably be OK, however "IF we keep the squad together", doesn't that leave us hurtling towards that financial 'black hole', somewhere near the Doo Doo galaxy?

Heaven only knows Bulliac. There's so many things we don't know despite a great effort by everyone on here to run through the possibilities. My guess is that the 'black' hole isn't so very black. Anyone could look at revs v costs and see a gap. Calvert's trade is about applying pressure and taking matters to the brink. He'll be one hard faced mofo that's for sure.

On the squad we're in a double bind. Lose good players to London and/or Wakey and we step inevitably closer to the galaxy of which you speak. Very hard to call it right as London and Wakey are probably playing poker. Clubs, probably including us will be trying to offload fringe players, which they don't want. In our case they'll be hoping we have to blink first. We're maybe the loss of 2 or 3 players away from significant danger.

The variables are virtually impossible to permutate. It's all about "if"isn't it? The fact we haven't the stability that London and Wakefield seem to have, is baffling to me? Agreed they are also backs to the wall outfits, however , all our plans, unlike theirs, seem to have been stymied once more! Maybe the crucial and significant difference,is the fact that £650k per year we are down over 2013 and of course 14. Those clubs not penalised by this situation are guaranteed £1.15m in 2014 which in essence is just income not turnover. Therefore I agree with everything said.
Level our playing field a bit more, and then we can assess our true prospects.

nothing like being optimistic

Yeah, there's no way you guys are finishing above Cas

You make it sound wildly away from reality.

With our [icurrent squad[/i around 8th is a reasonable bet; we were 9th last time round and the squad has improved, imo - so why so disparaging? The real problem for us is that the squad we have now might not be carried into the season proper and then mid table might look a much longer hope than it does now.

there are 5 of starting 17 i know won't be there at start of season! but i know nothing about bulls do i

and carvell will only be there once this year

Unless there is a return in the cup

Just curious, is this from the same twitter source that you used to announce on the wakey forum that Liam Finn had signed for Wakey the week before he signed for Cas?

You can't question the unwashed , they'll get you banned from the boards. I did like the Liam Finn comment though . He went from a potential superstar to an over the hill nobody just by signing for Cas

Sorry but are we looking at the same two groups of players?
Bulls are stronger in the props, second row, outside backs and at full back for sure and there's a strong debate for the rest of the park.
Lynch is past his best. Liam Who?? Luke Dorn has jumped out of the frying pan and into another frying pan as far as playing in a winning team goes and Weller Hauraki has one good year followed by a bad one (he played well last year BTW).
I could go on, but there's no chance the current Bulls side finishes below Cas.

Nothus is a Bulls fan. His comments were aimed at the Wakey...visitor.

Oops. Note to self.... Read the thread better. Sorry Northusicon_wink.gif

I think Hull are slightly better off this season that the last few because we have got better cover in all positions than we have had for a while.

Where you finish in the league depends on your second 17 players not your first 17 as injuries always bite and play havoc, the Top 4 teams seem to replace injured players and is doesnt effect them as much we lose a Top player and we notice.

Saying that Hull have got 7 new players for this season and we would like to think it will improve us but who knows, pretty sure we will finish in the Top 8 though.

Ah Vinnidog/bigunbrad comes on another teams boards to spew his bile, stick to throwing coffee at Richie Mathers, and spew some more bile on the Nutjobs forum!

Sorry Bulls but this guy really is a sandwich short!

So can we stay on topic please.

I think we can make 8th with a bit of luck on the injury front and if we manage to keep the current squad. The question is who can we replace/finish above to achieve it?

Wigan (although weaker than last season), Saints, Leeds, Hudds, Wire, are definates leaving both Hull's, Catalans, and possibly Salford (if they can gel) Cas look more balanced too.
Realistically, given the above we need to probably displace Hull KR or Catalans, and finish above both Salford and Cas. Optimistic but achievable.

Really not fussed if we make the top 8 whatsoever, none of us should be. Next year is all about survival, as RHP has been quick to point out.
If we're still solvent this time next year, and we're still in SL, then we will have our full sky allocation back and THEN we can discuss making the 8.

Agreed. Making the 8 would be a welcome bonus, but it's certainly not a priority from my point of view. If we keep hold of the best of our squad, and get back on a sound business platform, I'd be a happy chappy.

I don’t think we have depth to make the 8. I’ll settle for getting through the season without any off field dramas and hopefully a SL place next year.

Phil Clarke's finishing predictions: www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/ ... club-guide Salford Warrington Leeds Wigan Saints Huddersfield Hull FC Catalans Widnes Hull KR Castleford Bradford Wakefield London

Phil Clarke's finishing predictions: www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/ ... club-guide Salford Warrington Leeds Wigan Saints Huddersfield Hull FC Catalans Widnes Hull KR Castleford Bradford Wakefield London

Salford won't finish top of the pile, not this season anyway!

Bulls top 4,Wakie and Hull FC to get relegated

Wigan
Huddersfield
Warrington
Leeds
St Helens
Salford
Catalans
Hull FC
Hull KR
Bradford
Widnes
Castleford
Wakefield
London