You aint got a chance this year !!!!

Hmmmm.

I think we already did.

See you point, I did mean next season.

just a one off back down you will go

Thing is though, I admit that you're always going to see a varied degree of bias on these kind of threads you made the relatively strong statement that you think a team that has not really been that close to achieving any play-off success will finish above the likes of Bradford, Hull, Wigan and Huddersfield. All established SL teams with excellent chances of finishing in the play-offs. I am pretty confident that HKR won't finish above all/most of those teams and was asking if you'd care to place a wager on the strong statement. You weren't, fair enough.

Do you think Hull will finish above rovers?

rubbish

scott donald is miles better!!

I think that there is a subtle difference between wasting your salary cap on overinflated contracts and not being able to afford to spend it don't you?

There maybe but there is also the fact that whilst the top teams may not need to strengthen significantly and use the full salary cap there are teams whose BOD's try to buy players on the cheap and then lose out and other financially strapped clubs who cannot afford to spend up to the limit.

My final league predictions for the 2009 SL season:

1. Leeds – Possibly the strongest squad of players in the league, the youngsters that come through always seem to be ready to handle SL pace. A powerful pack of forwards which has plenty of mobility and could be even more dominant with the addition of Eastwood and Buderus. In the backs they have plenty of pace along with 2 of the best support players in the league in Webb and McGuire.

2. St Helens – Still a very strong outfit all over the park, with a good mix of youth and experience. The main concern will be how will Mick Potter go, I cant see him changing things greatly as he has stepped into a club with a strong playing staff who know their strengths. Eastmond and Clough should get plenty of game time along with some other good youngsters coming through.

3. Wigan – Look short of props to me but very strong in the back-row, will be interesting to see how their half backs work together and some good outside backs in Carmont and Richards. They also have 2 good hookers in Riddell and McIloram(sp) and with some good youth coming through e.g. both Tomkins, I can see them finishing in the top 4.

4. Catalans – Bit of a suprise package last year but I doubt teams will be taking them so lightly this coming season. Added 2 very good players in Ryles and Bell to what is already a good squad. I expect these to be physically strong in all departments but have some players with real flair in Greeshields and Mogg. Catalan have the squad to be up there, Walters and Pay were 2 great players, will be interesting to see how they go.

5. Warrington – A pretty strong squad of players that look as if they could achieve something but once again will probably not. Doesn’t sound like alot of people have
much confidence in Lowes, but they will make the play-offs.

6. Hull KR – We lacked strength in certain areas last season when injuries hit and we have addressed that. Maybe not spectacular names have been added but important additions to bolster the squad. We have a strong back-row which works well together(when fit), plenty of numbers at prop but we could have major problems if Fisher gets injured. Looks like we will be starting the season with our 2 first choice half backs, lost count of the changes in that position last year. We are safe as houses full-back and some decent pace in the outside backs, really hoping Chev can find his previous international form. With good luck on the injury front this squad can improve on last season.

7. Bradford – I can see their pack carrying them through alot of games this season, already a strong back-row with the addition of Menzies it looks powerful. Possibly we could see Menzies in the centres as they are not as strong in the backs. Not sure if McNamara will have a plan B if things are not going well for them.

8. Huddersfield - Good new players and coach does seem very encouraging, doesn't always work out though. Look strong in the backs but weak in the pack. Im a big fan of Hodgson(sp)at full-back and Hudds will be hoping Carney has turned up with his game face on.

9. Hull FC – Not added alot of strength and look weak in a number of positions, especially at half back and prop. Any injuries in these areas could really hamper the team once again this coming season. Excellent addition of Crocker if his body can deal with the change and will add quality to an already decent back-row. Not sure if Agar has what it takes to become a SL head coach but time will tell. A good start to the season could see them challenge for the play-offs, a bad start could see the loss of the coach and another poor finish.

10. Castleford – Alot of new players have come in and some good ones at that so I am expecting better things from them. Love watching Westerman play and I can only see his game improving with better players around him, not just a player for the future but a huge player for now. Could have problems in the full-back area, not really a recognised one in the squad.

11. Wakefield – Cant see this team achieving much this year but also a team that can produce suprises. Dont really seem to have many outstanding individuals but Kear certainly gets them playing for each other.

12. Harlequins – Again as Wakefield, not many outstanding players on the team sheet but looks like they have some good young lads coming through. Suprised they off loaded Worrincy and Sherrif(sp)who I thought went well for them last year. Must have made one of the biggest suprise signings of any SL team in Nanyn, be interesting to see what B Mac can get out of him.

13. Salford – As all teams coming up it will be a tough first season for them, they have added some good players but also have some decent players from last year. Big things expected from young Myler and possibly Turner backed up by experienced players like Stapleton.

14. Celtic – Cant see them finishing anywhere other than bottom.

Yes.

I notice alot of you are ignorrant to the players we will have returning to our squad next season. Motu tony, Richard Horne, Richard Whiting and Paul King all return to our squad (rate them or hate them, they are established SL players) which will IMO be like signing new players.

We won't be as bad as last year, that was a one off.

Hull have a better squad than rovers, just depends how much both squads are stretched, last season rovers benefitted from this but it's unlikely lightening will strike twice.

Donald is fast, thats it.

Richards can kick, is a better defender, there is no one better in the air, he is a leader.

King ! you're having a laugh, Horne wont be the player he was, Tony, not as good as Briscoe, Whiting, clint (mean machine) Newton will sort him out.

What about our injuries long term?
Daniel Fitzhenry
Shaun Briscoe
Jake Webster
Paul Cooke (other reasons but was still missed)
Jason Netherton
Clint Newton
Scott Murrell
Chris Chester to name a few, try again.

Extremely mild in comparison to ours, sorry.

ye right.

King when on form can be one of the best props in the league, forget what hes like off the field it still doesn't change the fact he's being in a SL dream team and called up to play for his country. Don't see how you could possibly make the judgement of Horne wont be the player he was and why start comparing our squad with Rovers squad ? That doesn't support your arguement, only makes it more laughable. I'm a big Briscoe fan but he's not a Motu Tony, if Briscoe was alot better then Tony then why did Briscoe struggle to get into our team from 2006 onwards. There is only one person better at returning a ball in this league then Motu and thats Brent Webb. Richard Whiting , well not a centre as first choice I see him more as a back rower these days and he is somebody who can read the game very well.


I'm not saying we'll be up there and GF material, but we won't be loitering at the bottom and we certainley won't be getting looked down on by clubs like yourself.

Love the confidence.

Shame for you his other duties as fullback aren't quite as strong, you have a super player then. He's not exactly great under the high ball, is he.

Dont think his alround positional play is up to much either.

Chev walker

It depends on what games you are judging him from. I mean at the start of last season he was under some preassure and his confidence was shot and his first few games yeah he was having some bad games. But then you can look how he performed at the back end of 2006 and in 2007, were he was the perfect full back. He made one or two mistakes, but all full backs do and even Briscoe makes them himself. I remember when we beat Leeds away 42 - something and Motu was brilliant, he was solid at the back and his kick returns were deadly at least about 3 or 4 times he ran 60/70 metres up the pitch were we would then go on to score. Motu can also come into the line and has before today linked up well with our wide men, we didn't see much of that last season due to the fact he was injured for alot of it.

I don't dislike Briscoe, I wouldn't be bothered if he was our FB ahead of Tony but don't let your hatred for FC get in the way of acknowledging that Moty Tony is a very good full back.

Well its hardly confidence, I am only saying we won't get looked down on by Rovers this season. Your squad isn't anything special, your on par with us and not better, despite you finished above us for the first time in centuries last season.