Hull have a half back capable of directing his team around the pitch and kicking the ball down the field in areas where the opposition are not standing, and actually implementing a more attacking game plan. His fitness is key to the season. More quality in the forwards and with a fair crack of the whip on injuries more competition for places will see us finishing 5th or above.

In a nutshell.

[[u:171cl1lrquote="Staffs FC"Hull have a half back capable of directing his team around the pitch and kicking the ball down the field in areas where the opposition are not standing, [/u

after watching thorman constantly kicking down the throat of the opposition full back every week,long can hopefully find the gaps.

I will probably prove myself to be completely wrong here come the end of the season but I think Bratfud have the potential to be a huge disappointment this season. To me too many eggs in one basket leaving very average players in a fair few positions in particular I think they will be quite weak in the forwards if they get a couple injuries and so could have problems bossing teams around.

Theres a big difference between believing and been stupid. I believe we'll make either 7th and 8th to me thats belief. Look at our last couple of seasons and all of a sudden we'll be touching the top 4. Not a chance. Its not realistic. I'll give it to about round 6 - 7 and the people who are getting carried away now will be calling for Agar.

I do agree with you about finishing 4th, It simply wont happen. I would be extremely happy with 6th but 6th,7th or 8th would put a smile on my face.
I think its just the norm that fans of all clubs become very optimistic around this time of year. I like yourself, like to remain slightly pessimistic until I see what happens (although I dont call it pessimism I call it realism !!

)
Whatever happens I am very positive we will give a much better account of ourselves than the last two years.

This dude talks sense.

I can talk a lot of bollox too !!!

We know

Cheers mate !

On paper we are good enough for top 4 I reckon, whether we are good enough on the field for top 4 is another question entirely. 6th will do me, but my prediction is 5th, behind Leeds, Saints, Warrington and Catalans.

I can only see 3 or 4 teams finishing above us, assuming every coach gets the best from every squad I'd go with;

1. Leeds
2. Warrington
3. Saints
4. Wigan/Hull
5. Wigan/Hull
6. Huddersfield
7. Catalans
8. Rovers
9. Bradford
10, 11, 12. Cas, wakey, Quins in any order
13. Crusaders
14. Salford

Leeds, Saints, Wire, Hudds, Rovers, Braddford will all finish above us imo. With Wigan and Cats coming up close.

Im expecting big things from Hudds this year.

Nahh, I aint..... We finish above them imo.

They have strength in depth now on top of a very strong starting 13. I can see them and wire pushing for 3rd.

Oh dear lol

I'm another one who doesn't think Hudds will go aswell as last year, I think losing Moore will have a big impact and the early season controversy might play a part.

Hudds did well last season but they play the same game week in week out. Just playing steady safe rugby what would be called percentage rugby. That will win you more games than you lose but very rarely wins you trophies.

They will make the playoffs but like Rovers i think top 4 is too much for them this year.

Bradford are a poor team with 1 exceptional player he MIGHT just scrape then into the playoffs.

Hudds I just don't see being anywere near as good as last year, off field problems and the surprise element has gone now also.

Which is an important factor, however you place Rovers above us and they do not have strength in depth which could be a downfall this season, especially with a light pack.

We had a light pack last year!

With Fozzy, Gene & Macca? although Macca did not see much game time, Foz & Gene did. It is even lighter now

It looks impressive that Hall is your 24, but with no 5 or 18 that is only 22 senior players - about what every other club has. The spare cash from Raynor's departure will be handy if you need an emergency loan signing, at least, but you have gone for quality over quantity this year.

Anticipation and reality rarely match - if you'd told me Vella would miss a big chunk of 2009 with injury, Fozzard would fade through the season and Mills and Aizue would barely play that would have looked like Rovers' year down the pan. You never can tell...
Not long now though!

Gene started 2 SL games and had 9 from the bench iirc.