I wouldn't even be parting with any money for them to make the 8 just yet. Let alone the 4.

By the end of the week they will most likely find themselves behind Cas and Widnes, and one of the Hull teams will be a point behind with a game in hand (FC's is against Wakefield). There's nothing for them at Warrington either, whereas Widnes play Hull and Cas play KR, so at least 2 of their rivals will make ground on them. Then they play Hull at home, if they lose (unlikely I admit) they are pretty much doomed.

The worrying thing for me is that I actually think you believe this.

They can but it'll be up to Leeds, Saints, Wigan and Giants to give up there spots and for Warrington to lose points and for Catalan to get a win away from home. Not to mention the other good sides battling to get as high up the table as possible too.

Also if by a miracle Todd Carney finds his NRL form and gives it his best...(which I don't think he cares too much about doing) then maybe just maybe Catalans will get top 4.

The spots of Wigan, Warrington and Huddersfield are the ones that Catalans should be aiming for (Leeds and Saints are probably safe). That is why I wrote earlier that the Catalans away game against Huddersfield next weekend will be decisive.



Todd Carney has only played three games with Scott Dureau, and Catalans have not lost any of those games. I expect a fully fit Todd Carney and Scott Dureau, playing together and with John Zebolon Ta'ia and Morgan Escare,, to dismantle other top teams the same way that they dismantled Warrington and Wigan at Stade Gilbert Brutus.

I fully expect Catalans to beat the Giants at there ground. They win games at home no dispute. They don't play good away making the 4 too hard to accomplish.

Todd carney isn't even worth talking about. He isn't fully interested. How can anyone expect a guy who doesn't respect himself by peeing in his own mouth to respect anything.
As soon as he can jump ship back to the NRL he will.
All he needs to do is be a good boy to do that.. He doesn't even need to play games to prove himself.

Todd Carney has not been peeing in his own mouth in Perpignan. In fact there is no certainty that he ever peed in his own mouth, though he attempted to feign doing such when at Cronulla.

Anyway this has nothing to do with his performances on the field for Catalans. He played very well last weekend, even though still not at his best. He has been out for so many games with injury, that it will take time for him to gel completely with Scott Dureau and the rest of the team. I would not call him "not fully interested." He wants to win silverware, and Les Catalans Dragons are still on track for having a shot at both the Challenge Cup final at Wembley and the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford.

For a team to struggle against a poor, part-time pit village in Featherstone - then no they won't achieve a top four finish.

Catalans were playing without both their star halves, Todd Carney and Scott Dureau, their star attacking second rower John Zebolon Ta'ia, their star hooker Ian Henderson, and their tireless lock forward Jason Baitieri. Not surprising with such a fundamental disruption that they struggled against the pit villagers.

Judge them when they are at full strength against the likes of Warrington and Wigan. A proper dismantling in both cases.

Except when you play us at our place

Catalan are good at home where they the vast majority of decisions but dross a way from home. Defensively they lack the grit of a genuine top 4 team. Carney aka the tampon will no doubt be missing again soon.

Featherstone were missing nine first team players for the game, which makes Catalans even poorer.

It would be good for the French game if they did make the top four.

Re: Can Catalans make the top four?

Yeah why not?! Away form?possibly......Huddersfield are a decent while not all that great side, Wire are absolutely brilliant one week then absolutely dreadful for the next three and it's been like that all season with us, Cas have a good quick PTB from their pack and can be dangerous. I do actually think Catalans are better than all three of those teams when everyone is fit for them (have they ever had a fully fit or even close to fully fit side?) but they struggle on the road which could be their downfall, again.

Will be interesting.

Have said this every year for the last few years, they are unlikely to themselves, but they will have a big say in who finishes in what position

Remember we've had injuries all year too and currently have about 6 or 7 first team players out!

But you have been missing nobody of the stature of Todd Carney, Scott Dureau, John Zebolon Ta'ia or Morgan Escare. Those four, along with Ian Henderson and Eloi Pelissier, are the key to Catalans winning or losing.

One prediction: soon we will all be talking about the barnstorming runs and tries scored by the massive 18 year old winger Mouad Yaha.

Probably when he's moved into the second row.

But they still put out a team of full time professionals, several of whom are internationals, and struggled to overcome a team of part-time players. Regardless of who they were missing, it was professionals versus semi-pros.

Don't underestimate the damage that occurs when a team loses its two star play makers, hooker, and two top back rowers. The coach erred somewhat in his selections, even though the replacements narrowly came home with the bacon.

The proof is what happened the following week, when a nearly full strength Catalans devastated and humiliated the full time professional team from Wigan.

The way their going a.t.m, they could get dragged into in the middle eights!

Imagine the furore if the second expansion club fell out of S.L in the space of two seasons

.

What are the excuses this week Jean?

I dont think its anything to do with this week specifically. We havent looked good all season, Wigan (h) excepted we have failed to convince.

Pretty similar to last season but we did start firing by this time to make our run to the semis.

I agree the middle 8s looks a prospect with two away matches out of three and no sign of an away win.

I called it weeks ago. Catalans will be playing in the middle 8's.

I don't see them picking up a point from their remaining 3.

If Hull beat Cas and KR beat Salford this week I reckon they're done for.

Well the points difference and fact there is a Hull derby followed by two unwinnable fixtures mean that I don't think either Hull club will gain more than 3 points.

1 win will secure Catalans top 8, but even 3 losses might see them remain 8th.

The PD between Hull and Catalans is 19. That could well be in Hull's favour by weekend if we win and they lose. I think it's unlikely that 3 defeats will see them home.