Sykes has had a mixed career, I certainly never rated him but there is no doubt he looked like the consummate play making Stand Off in the second half of the season. It was like it had all finally clicked for the lad, and I don't think he will look back from this point. However as you know UK RL is not great at recognising late developers so I doubt he will gain any honours other than at club level.

Without wanting to sound flippant so long as Smith keeps taking the pills he will be OK. When at Wigan he was undiagnosed. Now he is under treatment he should be able to cope as well as anyone else. He certainly showed no signs of feeling the pressure even when he wasn't playing well at the start of the season.

I also think the maturity that Sykes now has takes a lot of pressure off Smith - Sykes looks like he could play all day without breaking sweat.

I actually think Sykes would be the bigger loss if injured as he would also compliment John, Goulding, Wildie and the rest.

Sykes and Smith are a quality partnership.

I don't think Smith has ever cracked under pressure. His illness is not (in my view) related to pressure, it's just been highlighted because when he did do something wrong the Aussie media had eyes on him. He hasn't caved in a game situation.

Sykes has shown good form at both London and Bradford in the past. It's not new, it has just been interupted in my opinion with switching positions and possibly different coaches. I remember the Bradford fans loving it when he was moved to stand off but they didn't keep him there.

In terms of Smith being targeted, his game helps him there because he plays away from the front line a lot. He has already worked his magic by the time the defenders are near.
I do worry that when he takes the line on he will get some late hits but that needs to be handled by him but also by the rest of the team showing that it is not appropriate and it will hurt if you try it.

Sorry but I think you are wrong regarding Smith. He did crack whilst in Australia. Knowing someone who is bi-polar pressure most definitely affects them more adversely than most people. As you say he hasn't cracked in a game but the treatment he now gets will help him concentrate.

There is no stigma to this in my eyes, none of us are built perfectly - with some it's physical with others it's in the mind. In the same way knees can be rebuilt or rectified so can minds. IMHO his treatment has improved his game.

I can't really argue knowledgeably on the subject but all I was meaning is that as I saw it, he did something that his "disorder" would have caused whether he was a rugby player or not. It's just it was more highlighted because of who he was.

Clearly i really don't know his personal life but I'm pleased he seems to be enjoying his rugby and handling his medical issues now.

your victory on Good Friday was a long long time ago. If that's the only positive you are taking in to this season I'd be worried.

Hmm what about Mildred then?

Good Friday - dont suppose its bad 1 win from 3 games
As for Tim Smith its ok talking of stopping class players but how many sides have tried that with class players before and come unstuck.

To be fair, none of the Cas faithful have any confidence in him!

For anyone who has a limited knowledge of bi-polar the crucial factor is the regularity & pace of "cycles". By cycles I mean the swings within mood & mental strength. Some days he would be no different to anyone else, some days getting out of bed is almost impossible.

The quicker the cycles the more devastating the condition is.

Tim seems happy & appreciated, that will go a long way to keeping him stable.

Interesting to read the comments on here regarding whether we will finish above Cas or not. I personally think Cas have recruited very well, but their squad is still lacking depth. Their first 17 is good enough to challenge for the top eight, but with one or two injuries, I think they'll struggle big time.

Just for the fun of it, if we compare our two squads, then I think we just have the edge. I have highlighted in bold which player I would choose of the two:

1. Owen 1.Mathers
2. Carney 2. Fox
3. Shenton 3. Collis
4. Webster 4. L Smith
5. Dixon 5. Cockayne
6. Chase 6. Sykes
7. Ellis 7. T Smith
8. Walker 8. Poore
9. Clark 9. Aiton
10. Huby 10. Raleigh
11. Gilmour 11. Lauititi
12. Hauraki 12. Kirmond
13. Millington 13. Washbrook

14. Milner 14. Wood
15. Emmit 15. Amor
16. Massey 16. Wilkes
17. Holmes 17. Mariano

Im sure some Cas fans will claim I am biased, but that is my honest opinion. Clark and Shenton are good players, but Aiton and Collis are likewise. I think we should finish above them this year- but I expect it to be close.

Who mentioned about taking anything into the season, was simply stating that the poster commented how you "dominated" us when the team clicked. I was stating the same!

I don't think you will find a great deal of cas fans saying that they are happy basil is our coach. I do however want to give the bloke a chance with the team of his choice...

I wasn't having a go, I am just saying don't think Agar will be all he's being made out to be. Remember how much you were p****d off when he was appointed.

2 points

1st point - Think you'll change your mind on Carney v Fox when you see him play. Carney will be a big hit this year.

2nd point - Clark!! Are you having a laugh...

Aiton NRL regular and PNG captain v Clark half season of potential. No not having a laugh, sit down and give your head a shake.

Carney? You've missed the 's' off the beginning of hit. Seriously he's a liability as you'll find out soon enough. Was never the same after his broken leg.

I'm all for standing up for your team, but at this point in time, Aiton is twice the player Clark is; the lad's got potential, that's for sure, but Aiton is already the finished article.

Agree with most of that. This would be mine:-

1. Owen 1.Mathers
2. Carney 2. Fox
3. Shenton 3. Collis
4. Webster 4. L Smith
5. Dixon 5. Cockayne
6. Chase 6. Sykes
7. Ellis 7. T Smith
8. Walker 8. Poore
9. Clark 9. Aiton
10. Huby 10. Raleigh
11. Gilmour 11. Lauititi
12. Hauraki 12. Kirmond
13. Millington 13. Washbrook

14. Milner 14. Wood
15. Emmit 15. Amor
16. Massey 16. Wilkes
17. Holmes 17. Mariano

I don't rate Collis at all but will give you Mathers over Owen. Isn't good to be talking about RL for a change ?

I think Collis is one of the few real centres operating in SL and Shenton is miles and I mean miles behind him. Silky smooth is Collis, a bit of a poor mans Gene Miles.

Huby over Raleigh is also a bit of a push for me but hey ho.

For what it's worth, my opinion (with the reasons) is:

1. Owen 1.Mathers - Both subject to brain farts but Mathers offers more to the team
2. Carney 2. Fox - I like Fox but Carney is probably better if at his best
3. Shenton 3. Collis - This would be a very close one if both playing to their full potential IMO. If we can get Collis fit and keep him fit I'd take him to come out on top but haven't seen it enough as yet
4. Webster 4. L Smith - Another one that is dependent on form, if Lee Smith can regain some of his pre-union form he would be the better of the two.
5. Dixon 5. Cockayne - Can't see how Dixon is better than Cockayne other than he can kick goals
6. Chase 6. Sykes - Chase the better player, but Sykes the better partner for Smith IMO
7. Ellis 7. T Smith - No debate needed
8. Walker 8. Poore - NRL and SOO prop, need I say more?
9. Clark 9. Aiton - Clark is good, but Aiton is World Class.
10. Huby 10. Raleigh - Raleigh unspectacular but massive workload gets the nod for me
11. Gilmour 11. Lauititi - No debate needed
12. Hauraki 12. Kirmond - Hauraki not really impressed me in his last 2 seasons at Leeds
13. Millington 13. Washbrook - Leading tackler in SL last season with nearly 1000 tackles

14. Milner 14. Wood - Milner for me is a better player at this moment in time
15. Emmit 15. Amor - Good hard working prop with plenty of development left in him
16. Massey 16. Wilkes - Massey is younger and fitter and can still develop
17. Holmes 17. Mariano - Runs the best lines with power and pace of any of our 2nd rowers

1. Owen 1.Mathers
2. Carney 2. Fox
3. Shenton 3. Collis
4. Webster 4. L Smith
5. Dixon 5. Cockayne
6. Chase 6. Sykes
7. Ellis 7. T Smith
8. Walker 8. Poore
9. Clark 9. Aiton
10. Huby 10. Raleigh
11. Gilmour 11. Lauititi
12. Hauraki 12. Kirmond
13. Millington 13. Washbrook

14. Milner 14. Wood
15. Emmit 15. Amor
16. Massey 16. Wilkes
17. Holmes 17. Mariano

Collis is going to be this seasons star man, he oooooooozes class.

I hope you're right, too much time not fully fit last year.

Half fit he's the best centre since Domic or Atkins (once he got the gist of it).

I think Collis could surprise quite a few this season, provided he stays fit - it's obvious that he's a class act.

To be honest he's been one that's never caught my eye.