If Agar was still here I'd expect us to make the play-offs (just) so if we're all sticking to our guns and saying Agar/old regime was a major problem than anything less than top 6 is a huge dissapointment and we should be pushing top 4.

I agree about Wigan, however I still think they will make the 4. Saints to win the lot this year for me as like previously said a few of the top teams seem to have stagnated a little this year. Bodes well for a good competition. I fancy Salford for bottom with a surprise contender for that "crown" been Castleford.

1. Warrington
2. Saints
3. Catalans (If they sort out their inconsistencies)
4. Wigan
5. Hull FC
6. Leeds
7. Hull Kr
8. Hudds
9. Bradford
10. Wakefield
11. Castleford
12.Widnes
13. London
14. Salford

Think we have a good chance of giving the top teams a run for their money this year. Like you said we have plenty of kickers this season plus if we can keep the spine of the team relatively injury free we should always be in with a shout.
Not looked forward to a season as much as this for a long time.

Have to agree with that. By the same token, I reckon Wakey will be a long way off the playoffs.

I'm really excited for the new season for the first time in about 4 years, can't wait!

Your kidding yourself if you believe really Hull will finish above Leeds!! You do have a much better coach than last year but he is still unproven. You will miss fitzgibbon badly imo!!

Top 3 WILL NOT change (maybe a different order, but will not alter).....Leeds and Cats will battle for 4th...Huddersfield will take 6th....From there on in, its pretty much the also rans, who early on in the season will get the odd 'shock' win over a more fancied side.....I fancy Hull will be at the top of this group of sides.

As an outsider looking in, I'd reckon a season of steady building should be your target....A record of winning more than you lose would be a realistic target and, most important, allow your new coach space to make mistakes and discover where he needs to improve for 2013 and beyond.....It always seems to me that a section of your crowd have much too high an expectation of your team and, ultimately, the coach gets it in the neck, putting on pressure that isn't the most ideal thing.

With your new owners and coach in place and the right signings, I would expect Hull to be a serious contender in 2014.

Warrington.
Saints
Wigan
Hull
Catalan
Leeds
Hull kr
Huddersfield
Wakefield
Bradford
Castleford.
Salford.
Widnes.
Harlequins

Wigan were a prop light last season what with Fielden missing nigh on the whole season. To a certain extent he's Coley's replacement and they've signed that Welsh lad Dudson haven't they?

Its a crazy call,

Wigan will have a fully fit Gareth Hock back nxt season though.

You mean the drug cheat!

Leeds will do ok if their ageing squad stay fit, they will look more to finishing the season strongly IMO.

Not exactly performance enhancing drugs where they(from what I remember)?

Think you should count yourself very lucky it was only Gleeson who was tested at the time!

Are you insinuating other players were taking banned substances at the time?

Don't get me wrong mate, I would love to get to the final and win it all



The semis would show improvement. That's what this season is about for me, not necessarily winning trophies, but improving our game as a whole.

I don't think what round you reach in the Cup is any sort of measurement of how you have improved....



So if you reach the semi's after a relatively easy passage (e.g. Swinton, Rochdale & Leigh, all at home) and then get smashed by a Saints or Leeds, then that is better than a close 2 point defeat away at Wigan in the 1st Round??

The true barometer of improvement will come in the League....The Cup, unless you reach the final, is a distraction, which has a fantastic prize at the end.

The one thing the Cup can be, if built on properly, is a springboard to future success in the league....Something that Hull almost did in the mid 00's and what Wire are close to doing right now.

And yet its a distraction that all clubs seem to want to do well in. IMO the differnce between league and cup is the ability to win knock out games, just like the playoffs. During the regular season teams can afford to lose a game but with knock out rugby there's that added pressure, that's why the top sides are top sides, expierenced players

True, however semi would still be an improvement on recent years in terms of round achieved. I've said for years that it's the league we need to focus on, and, like you say, that will be the true barometer of improvement.

All true, however we've not beaten a Super League side in the Cup since the 2008 semi final. I'd take reaching the semis as a success and an improvement if that includes a couple of wins over top flight sides.

Wire
Saints
Wigan
Leeds
Hull FC
Catalans
Hull KR
Huddersfield
Bradford
Castleford
Widnes
Salford
Broncos
Wakey

My wish list is:
1. Top 5 finish
2. Messrs Gentle & McRae to introduce attractive rugby and to be given opportunity to build a progressive and winning team
3. See attacking play led by #6, #7, and #13
4. Have a Plan B when Plan A is not working
5. Identify a true leader who 'kicks axse,' when required
6. Show confidence in giving youth first team opportunity from Round 1
7. Establish team culture: get rid of any remaining cheats, liars, thugs, druggies, and drinkers. To apply to off-field as well as on-field personnel
8. Reach milestone of 10,000 season ticket holders and home games nudging towards 14,000 spectators
9. For me to see more home games now they've been switched to Sundays!
10. For Mr Pearson et al to bring back the feel good factor in 2012 and beyond for all of those Hull F.C fans!

Happy new year

summed up perfectly from 1-10

1. St Helens
2. Warrington
3. Wigan
4. Catalans
5. Leeds
6. Hull FC
7. Huddersfield
8. Hull KR
9. Harlequins
10. Bradford
11. Wakefield
12. Castleford
13. Widnes
14. Salford

Found that tricky! Once you get out of the top 5, I think it could be very close this year. A lot of new coaches and players with different ideas. Think Salford will struggle, but hopefully it will be a close fought-out year.