I don't agree that we've made too many signings to challenge for 8th, what precedent are you basing that on?

Outside of Warrington, Wigan, Sts, Huddersfield, Leeds and maybe Catalan there's not much to beat to get into the 7th or 8th places. You'd have to fancy Hull for one place then it's anybody's.

Don't forget that we had Lauitiiti, Kirmond, Fox, Tony, Washbrook and Aiton all unavailable for selection as well.

Any highlights of game like last year ?

Leeds are the champions and still had three quarters of a starting line up who will feature for many games at SL level.

We should see things come together more before February.

In all honesty I don't see Wakefield making the playoffs this season. However, I see you being a much improved side compared to last season and finishing 9th or 10th. Possibly getting into the 8 the season afterwards, if you get the recruiting right.

The match photos can be viewed here...Sorry about the quality, its been a while since I covered a game. www.event2photo.co.uk

The match photos can be viewed here...Sorry about the quality, its been a while since I covered a game. www.event2photo.co.uk

I see us in 9th-10th with the odd shock win V the big 5 for me the jury is out with the 2 overseas halfbacks I hope they come off but we have had more misses than hits over the years with overseas signings and Smith never inspired me at Wigan only time will tell
Still need a couple of props to have any chance of the 8

I will be happy with 9-10th many wont the expectation levels are way too high in season 1 it will take time

Anyone seen the attendance figure for this one.
It looked as though it would be a poor crowd 20mins before ko, but the place filled up really well. around 10500 ???

Just over 9000 was given out at the ground

Cheers, missed it

Living in Stockport, I couldn't get over for the Boxing Day game, although generally the feedback seems quite encouraging for a first hit out with a number of other players still to come in to the 17.

As for the season, I would like to see us do 3 things in the following order of importance imo :-

1) Compete in the majority of games so the result isn't decided after 40 or 50 mins.
2) Play a more attractive style of rugby to entertain the long suffering fans and keep the newbies/floaters happy.
3) Win more games than last season

Oh, and obviously keeping attendance levels and revenues up, and a positive outcome from the PI enquiry would also be welcomed.

We still have the following to come back into the 17.
Webb
Hall
McGuire
Jones Bishop
Kylie
Peacock
Ablett
Delaney
Sinfield
Bailey
JJB

Yes. But you are the champions and have more squad depth thanmid table/lower teams and can compensate more with good youth.

You still had who will play superleague for you..

Smith
Burrows
Watkins
Huaraki
Kirke
Ambler
Moore
Griffin
Mcshane
Hood?

And we also have..

Lauititi
Kirmond
Aiton
Tony
Fox
Washbrook
So all considered we faired well and had a few balls not been dropped over line and Walshaw passed we both teams looked even. We just got a lesson in finishing which I'm hoping will come.

Leeds will be good again. Was impressed by Leeds young players who physically look the part.

I like the fact people have predicted that we will finish out of the 8, it makes it all the more sweeter when the team clicks and we pull off a few shocks. There's been a lot worse sides grab a play-off place than what we have on paper. If we have a bit of luck and the half-backs create plenty of chances there's no reason we can't finish higher than people think. Just look at what Rangi has done at Cas.

Thought Trinity went well, especially in the second half where they speeded up the play the ball and tried to play some more expansive rugby, but I think you're missing the point here.
The Rhinos team was missing eleven of the players who saw Leeds through a brilliant play-off and GF run. These are for the most part players with loads of Championship-winning and international experience. The same can't be said for most of the missing Trinity players.

In any case you simply can't draw many conclusions about the relative strength of each team on the basis of a friendly match played two-thirds of the way into pre-season training.

On a personal note, I hope you have a good season. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's been saddened by the adversity your club's gone through for the past few seasons.

The club has been through the mills but its looking brighter. I liked the initial signs of the new shape squad and there is something thereto work with.

A reasonable campaign of anywhere from 8th (with luck) and 10th will see us set a platform.

We have the squad now to compete which is what we wanted. We may not be rivalling the top 5 as yet but it's a work in progress and come February hopefully we can mount a good challenge against a team like Leeds.

Friendlys can give you a little insight but when the competitive games come we will see how we go.

Once the players have a few games together we should look more. Fluent in attack and solid in defence I hope.

Some of those probably wont get into the starting 17 but it is a good position to be in.
The younger players are certainly pushing for a place and remember we can still get Amor back towards the end of the season.
I think you played pretty well tbh and at the end of the day pace proved decisive.
Good luck for the year ahead mate.

i predict that leeds will finish above wakey. are all the loser leeds fans happy now?

I agree.

Of course we're deliriously happy. After winning the GF in 5 out of the last 8 years, we have all been soooo miserable.

I for one have been patiently awaiting your post for at least the last five years, in eager anticipation of finally having something to smile about.

Don't think you can have Amor back until 2013 atleast and that's only if ypu offer him a contract which will then I think be down to him who he plays for.

Anyway hopefully we can be in the top half of the table with Leeds this year.

touché

I think we have until July to make a decision if we want him back.
If you don`t make the play offs and we do I would presume he could come back to us then.
For me I would have kept him instead of Ambler but it is unlikely he would have had much game time at Leeds so as it stands everyone is a winner.

You are quite clearly not a real Hull fan!!

Surely with Agar in charge we will finish bottom for the next 3 seasons as he is the worst coach in the history of the game.

Amor is a good player.

Leeds can not have Amor back untilafter this SL campaign.

He has a Wakefield contract for 3 years and is no longer a Leeds player. Written into the contract however is a clause that allows Leeds to approach him and offer him a contract but this must happen before July.

If he decides to go to Leeds again then he will remain at Wakefield for 2012 but will become a Leeds player for 2013 & 2014.

The only question is whether he has a choice of which club he would like to be with for 2013 or 2014 or he is tied to accept Leeds should they offer.

Good bit of business by Leeds and wakey.

And Amor.