So most squads are set, we've had the Boxing Day friendlies & there's about a month till the season starts. What's your Championship League prediction and why?

1. Leigh
We had a brilliant team last year who fell (badly) at the last hurdle and we've significantly strengthened that. I do think on paper we have a Super League quality team, if it turns out better than the bottom SL teams and if they can play well when it matters we can only wait and see.
2. Bradford
Us & Bradford were better than everyone else last year & I think that'll be the case again this year. However while we've strengthened our squad with SL quality players I think Bradford have only added Championship quality, top level Championship quality but I'm not sure Bradford this year are a SL standard team.
3. Sheffield
Were 3rd throughout most of last season & going full time should make them better this season. However we know the teething troubles clubs can face in their 1st year full time & they have made a lot of changes to their team so will be interesting to see how they do.
4. Dewsbury
Every year Dewsbury seem to improve steadily and slowly, they missed out on the top 4 last year and if they keep it up could make the top 4 next year.
5. Halifax
They did well in the Super 8s last season but only just made it into the top 4 the last week of the regular season. Fev took a chance by not going full time last season and it didn't pay off, Fax seem to be going with a similar squad as to last year which just made the top 4.
6. London
Had a disastrous start to the season last year but then improved later on, still seemed inconsistent though. If they can get that sorted they could do well.
7. Batley
Seem to have recruited really well this year they always had a physicality about their team but have added some of Sheffield's playmakers.
8. Featherstone
Had to replace a lot of players and have had some minor cash flow problems suggesting they perhaps might not have been able to recruit everyone they might have wanted.
9. Workington
Always had a physicality to dominate the lesser teams but lacked any flair or playmakers to get past better teams, Sammut will solve this problem but is just one player. Think it'll be really tight in this part of the league & any defeats while Sammut is out could be very costly.
[Think it'll be very close round here perhaps with less than 4 points separating 6th & 9th
10. Oldham
Have been on the verge of winning promotion for years and years and have finally done it so there's no reason they can't stay up. Think they'll struggle to not be involved in a relegation battle all season though.
11. Whitehaven
Have held on by their fingertips for years now perhaps staying up more by luck than skill, that luck could finally run out this season.
12. Swinton
Hope they do better than this being a Lancashire team & with the Leythers like Duffy & Littler involved but doubt it. The Championship is a very strong competition & will be difficult for many League 1 clubs to break into.
[Think it'll be a 3 way relegation battle & will be very close between Oldham, Whitehaven & Swinton

That's my opinion, let the arguments commence

1 - Leigh - We won the league with points to spare last year and look to have improved since then. Top 2 is all that matters but with the squad we have assembled then top should be the aim.

2 - Bradford - Still look stronger than the rest. Gaskell, O'Brien, Clough etc are a class above in this division.

3 - Halifax - Need to carry on the form from the end of the season but recruitment has looked solid if not spectacular, kept the core of last seasons team together which should help.

4 - Sheffield - Not recruited as impressively as I expected after going full time. Not convinced the players they have brought in are any better than those that have left but going FT will surely help them.

5 - London - Expect a better year from them and they should be aiming for top 4 with some decent players and FT status.

6 - Dewsbury - Lost their 'talisman' in Thackeray but have made some shrewd signings and should go well again.

7 - Fev - Got plenty of 'flair' in Craven, Briggs, Taluapapa, Thackeray but seem to lack power in the middle to set the platform.

8 - Batley - Recruited well and picked up some great players from Sheff such as Brambani, Davey, Walker. Shouldn't be in any danger of relegation this year.

9 - Workington - Sammut is a quality signing and should be able to take advantage of the strong Worky forwards. If they click they could easily finish higher.

10 - Whitehaven - Look stronger than last year. Decent duel reg players from Widnes and some good playmakers in Dion Aiye, Grant Gore and John Paul-Brocklebank.

11 - Swinton - A few good championship players but the pack doesn't look up to Championship standard and can see them getting bullied up the middle by the more established Championship clubs.

12 - Oldham - Would love them to stay up but they don't seem to have strengthened much at all since getting promoted and have lost 2 of their best players from last season to Sheffield. Can't see anything but a relegation battle for them unfortunately.

1. Leigh
2. Bradford
3. Sheffield
4. Featherstone
5. Dewsbury
6. London
7. Halifax
8. Batley
9. Workington
10.Swinton
11.Whitehaven
12.Oldham

1 Bradford
2 Halifax
3 Leigh
4 Featherstone
5 London
6 Sheffield
7 Dewsbury
8 Batley
9 Workington
10 Whitehaven
11 Swinton
12 Oldham.

1. Leigh - Should walk the league and have by far the strongest squad in the league. Their pack was pretty average I thought last season but they have recruited well in that area so much so it makes their backs look the weak part of their team. I thought a lot of Leighs backs would not have looked out of place in SL which on my last note says how strong I think they are.

2. Bradford - Strange one really, no real chance of finishing above Leigh and pick up injuries they could easily get in a dogfight for 2nd, that said been FT and having a good squad like they have should see them ease in to the middle 8's without putting much pressure on Leigh.

3. Fax - To be honest I think we will be comfortable in the top 4 this season and I see us as the only team that could challenge Bradford for 2nd. Our team finished the season as a top 3 team and I see no one improving enough to beat us to the top 4 especially as we have made some good signings to enhance what was a pretty small squad.

4. London - I see them been more settled this year under Henderson and think they could pip the rest to 4th especially if they can make their new home a fortress.

5. Batley - Probably a bit of a shocker but Batley look to have a real solid squad this year, their pack was good last season but their backs were for the most part gash but a couple of good half back signings and a couple of shrewd signings in the backs I think they can make a real push for 4th although their fans would probably be happy just not flirting with relegation.

6. Sheffield - Obviously weakened their team by off loading so many players and having to replace them simply with whoever is available. I think this will be a transitional year for Sheffield and they will be in the pack chasing 4th although I expect them to miss out this year.

7. Dewsbury - Again part of the pack chasing 4th and was a coin toss between them and Fev for 7th. I went with Dewsbury because they seem a little bit more settled although Im not sure their squad has improved enough to have much chance of 4th.

8. Fev - They have a decent couple of half backs but thats about it, their pack looks one of the weakest in the league and wont lay any sort of platform for their backs and that will cost them badly. Probably not helped by having a pretty poor coach and I feel they will be on the look out again for a new one come the middle of the season.

9-12 Ive really not kept much eye on the rest of the teams. Worky seem to have put their eggs in one basket and might have been better advised to spend that money on 3-4 players who could have improved their squad. They have not a hope in hell of making the top 4.

Haven, Swinton, and Oldham will obviously be in the relegation battle as their teams are simply incomparable to the teams I expect to finish 8th and above.

I pretty much agree with GFB above. I'd say Fax or London/Sheffield for 3rd - 5th, all depends on how the new players gel at both those clubs, might be a slow start/ fast finish similar to us last season. The next places could be anybody of Batley/Dews/Fev though I think outside of the top 2 any of the next 6 could beat each other on the day. A mighty interesting division and loads to look forward to, bring it on.

We all have our opinions , not many the same , mine are .
1.Leigh.Maybe lose one game again all season , by far the best squad.
2.Bradford.
3.Sheffield.
4.London.
5.Fev.
6.Dews.
7.Fax.
8.Batley.
9.Worky.
10.Haven.
11.Swinton.
12.Oldham.
Should be another great competitive league,I think RM and Fax will be sussed out this year and Dews are my dark horses.

For once, I have to mainly agree with GFB. I don't know how 'fax will be 'sussed out' Charlie. Last season they did the 'sussing out' and were, themselves, very difficult to beat. I see them being very similar this coming season, and I would be delighted for us to be able to 'suss them out' two/three/four times! They have to be in the top four, for me, possibly having a go for second. (to whoever finishes top!

)

Charlie, just to let you know, Alan is rapidly becoming our favourite Leyther on this side of the hill.

If we continue to have the best defence through the season like we did last year then its going to be tough to suss us out if you cant score against us.

Have you become a Fax fan......can't see them being top four this time.
No predictions from me until we find out which quality players have signed for Leigh....when are the names announced and how many are there.

[/u

Are you serious?

Leigh centurions
Bradford Bulls
Dewsbury
Halifax

Norman I said some wouldn't agree with me ,and im not looking for votes in a popularity campaign,Alan has always been very diplomatic

and I respect his opinion,I just think towards the end of last season when Fax made their unbeaten run ,they took a couple of clubs by surprise I don't think it will happen next season.
Their game against Leigh in the middle 8s we couldn't have been much worse,against the Bulls everything went right for them it sometimes happens , I remember a couple of seasons ago when Fax put 60 on Leigh everything went right that day.
Looking at Teams recruitment for next season to me Fax don't worry me,I stand by my prediction of 7th spot for them, Alan I've been told your Blue and White hoops shirt is in being hand delivered by Mr Jagger.

Leigh top , followed by 11 also ran's.

I'm told I always suited blue - I've even used that colour to highlight part of your post - I reckon it's something to do with the colour of my eyes!

Thanks Norman!



Seriously though, I'm at a loss to understand the "logic" that places Halifax anywhere other than the top 4, and even as low as 7th! They were usually hard to beat, before their improvement last season. Whilst I believe we should get the better of you, I certainly don't feel confident about it.

Now, as for last season's 'coach of the year', well anyone who takes a team from 3rd to 4th, wouldn't normally be the obvious contender......!

Well Charlie, since you predicted 7th for Fax last season, and look what happened then, I'm quite happy! Our talisman doesn't play on the pitch, and although I expect a clear winner (Leigh) during the normal season, let's see again what happens when the serious stuff starts. Fax haven't needed to offload anyone, which says a lot to me about a committed and coordinated team working for the cause.

...Richard Marshall's award was for the string of victories at the end of the season. We were very average in the first half of the season, but if we can but just carry on from the end of the season, beware........

We obviously finished the season well and I'm taking that we will be there abouts or better this coming year but that can't be written in stone. What we did have was a very solid, hard-working defensive unit which only really got outdone by Salfords pace. We held our own with most others in the 8's so I think with that in mind, and some confidence built from it we should be good for a top 6 finish. I'm putting the Eagles game out of my mind as I've no real explanation for what happened there unless a number of bets were placed on a Warrior hat trick!

Last time you Muppets suggested fax for 6th/7th look what happened in the middle 8s. Who finished where



1) leigh
2) Fax
3) Dulls
4th London
5th) Sheffield
6th) Batley
7th) Dewsbury
8th) Fev

I am surprised no one is wondering why Fax haven't gone FT especially as they have got at least half a million yes 500,000 more central funding for 2016 than they had in 2015. A reserve team does not cost that much.

Players under two year contracts who are unable to commit to full time. Hence why Sheffield have lost half there decent players

Does seem strange especially as the same plan backfired for Fev last season. Fax are no doubt a good team & will be competing for the top 4 but so will a few other teams. Not investing the money on improving the 1st team in such a competitive league when there's so much to gain being top 4 does seem a strange plan.

Sort of explains the FT/PT choice, but where is the money?