Agree with that, we took 4 points out of the same games last season, then again, last season we took 8 points from the fixtures that we have taken 14 points from this season (changing the Magic weekend win against Catalans last year for the win against Wakey this year), so there's a definite improvement regardless of the order in which those fixtures come.

For Cas, as for all other clubs, the Easter weekend will go a long way to defining the season, with games against Leeds (H), Saints (A) and Warrington (A) to play by this time next month, we can come back then and start pontificating whether of not Cas are true top 5 contenders. I suspect not (yet), but it's a nice ride to be on while it lasts.

I would like to think we could turn Leeds over, Saints haven't been as good as they can be. Wigan and Warrington away is pretty daunting. I do believe win or lose we will give each team a good game.

having played cas at the kc two weeks ago, to say they were top and we were down in 10th, you wouldn't have noticed, (not going to comment on the ref), thats how close the league is imo, cas have benefitted from a 'kind' opening set of fixtures, avoiding the big 4 teams until the end of april or may, that said, you can only beat whats in front of you and it is refreshing to see them up there, if they can sustain this thats another question

It's all about injuries, and specifically Rangi Chase.

Saints can function (without necessarily being at their best) without Pryce. Ditto Wigan without Tomkins, Wire without Briers, Leeds without McGuire (although not without McGuire *and* Peacock, by the looks of it). All would make the top 6 even with several key players out. Cas would struggle to make the 8 without Chase. If he stays fit for every round, given the flying start, they have a shot at top 4.

Looking at your next eight fixtures I think Cas will start to find the season a lot of difficult. They've got the top five clubs and Wakefield to play. They've also got Quins twice in that period. This weekend Quins could well bounce back after a dodgy run and its a relatively short period of time between the two matches. Quins could trouble them this weekend and if they get sussed, be troubled by them in a few weeks time as well.

Easter weekend, higher intensity matches and mid season means your injuries can mount up very quickly. A build of injuries and fatigue coupled with some losses can lead to a loss of momentum and a losing streak. Not writing Cas off, just saying that there's a club or two every season that start off really well, but then end up on a downward slope when they hit midseason

Its scary how many Cas fans are starting to build them up!!

Take a look back and yes we have won the games, but honestly how many of the teams we played actually played well.

That and we have a small squad so when the injuries bite how will we look??

Early days, yes enjoy it now but please dont built the pedastal so high that its a mighty fall if/when it comes

Danny Orr would be the bigger injury, as good as Chase is, Orr has given him the freedom to play like he is at the minute. Orr is the organiser and Chase does all the flashy stuff.



Really? There's probably 2 players for every position (4 wingers, 4 props etc) who could all play in the first team but can't due to the competition for places.



Or maybe, here's a strange concept....maybe teams haven't been allowed to play well against Cas, take the Huddersfield game for example, Cas got up in their faces and forced them into playing badly.

Couple more winnable games coming up then the "tough" games start but from how Leeds have played this year that is a winnable game and St Helens haven't been as good as they have been in the past. I can see Cas coming out of the next month winning at least half the games.

Top 8 - definites.
Top 6 - probably.
Top 4 - unlikely.
Top 2 - no chance.

GF winners - unlikely.

Kr have beaten leeds though, with a weaker team than when they played us.

catalans had there playmaker playing when they played us, and greenshields too, so they hardly had a weaker team against us than they did against wigan and wire.

I agree its all about those 20 points though, i'm confident that if our halfs are fit we will take 10 points out of those games, having taken 2 from a possible 2 so far (while wigan have taken 4 from 8

).

Keep Rangi chase fit and happy and Cas could well be looking at a top 5 finish......without him i cant see you making the 8 .
i've seen Cas live against us and on TV and everything comes through Chase..i'm not suggesting your a 1 man team but he is head and shoulders above anyone else in your team.
But enjoy it while your there..... you never know, the Giants finished 3rd in 2009 when everyone said we wouldn't last the pace !!

The league table doesn't lie mate.

Cas are at the top on merit, I think you're pretty nailed on for a play-off place.

id go along with that, we have a far more balanced team than some and the main reason we are winning games is because we are prepared to try things other teams dont,we are forced to play like that because we have rangi chase who imho would be the new zealand 6 if it wasnt for benji marshall.

we have improved but to think we are title contenders would be folly we are a top 6 side at best who might ruffle a few feathers come play off time.the important thing for cas is to build on what we have next year and bring in 1 or 2 more class players to play alongside a outstanding crop of youngsters.

Almost certs for a playoff place already.

It's great to see Cas on the top of the league, this can only be good for the game.

As previous posters have said though they have yet to play Saints,Wigan,Wire and Leeds yet,if they get a couple of wins against these teams they have to be contenders for the title.

All I will say is, I don't think we've performed to our potential at all yet this season.

We scraped by Catalans and Hull, lost against Bradford.

The results against Salford, Wakey and Crusaders were comprehensive but we still didn't perform to our best.

Sometimes you gotta tough it up & we did that with such wins against KR Hudds & FC. The Catalan win I believe was a good 1 especially from 10-0 with their recent away wins. I'd say we were pretty sweet against Crusaders, but generally speaking, not many teams will place to their best ability all 80 minutes.

Oh I agree

But I just think at times we've been lackdaisical and we haven't had a comprehensive performance.

Erm, I think you are.

We are far from a one man team. Just about every member of the squad has been excellent. We have three members who have been picked for the England teams. Mathers has been brilliant, Craig Huby has been one of the competitions form props. Nick Youngquest is scoring tries for fun. Kirk Dixon is playing the rugby of his career, and these two are having to compete with Richie Owen for a place. Young Daz Clarke has really burst onto the scene. IMHO the biggest factor has been the signing of Danny Orr, he really knows how to organise the team. There is a lot of quality there.

We're only a one man team because even our own players don't know what Chase is going to do at times. Hell, I'm sure even Chase surprises himself at times.

Billed by Who?
Castleford are the surprise of the season....6 of their 9 games have been at home and Huddersfield are the only "top" team they have played....Wigan, Saints and Wire will be the best way to see where Castleford are (Leeds are fast becoming a Joke under Mac).
Surprised conspiracy theorists from Wakey haven't picked up on your "easy" start to the season...with Quins and Wakey to come meaning you could well be on 18 points before you play another "top" team

....and you will be in the top half of the season by the time a decision is made on Licences

My honest opinion?

9 rounds in, a game in hand, and …


we're top of the league. I'm having a laugh.


(wherever it goes after thisicon_smile.gif





We were due to, but they were frit and blew us out to play some meaningless friendly instead

We've only played 8 games.

Yes, 5 of those have been at home but Huddersfield and Hull have also played five home games out of their first 9. So what? We're no different to other clubs.

I'm sorry but at the start of the season, regardless of form, I'd have said Hull, Bradford and Hull KR are all difficult games and we tend to lose at least once against each of those sides. Needless to say, we also have close games against Catalans too.

We may not have played Wigan, Saints, Leeds, Wire yet but you still have to play each side twice no matter what order they fall.

Chase might be getting all the praise but the unsung hero for Cas has been Jake Emmitt, him and Huby have been superb and without the forward pack dominating Chase would've found it much harder.

Well done to Cas also for bringing through Daz Clark, an exciting prospect.

Do not twist my words tb.

But seriously, I think Cas have looked quality, I don't think it would be fair to judge them untill they have played all the top teams at least once.

I would love to see them top of the league and see their crowds fly up. It will prove to the council they should have built a stadium for them long ago!