Wish I agree but I see Barrow breathing down our neaks.

And the neak is not an easy place to breath down

I can certainly see us competing against all those teams & beating the Welsh Ozzies. Whilst we've kicked on, so have other teams in this league & for me, it's the most competative all round (just look at the Thunder v Donny score tonight)

Yes we are a better team as we play great suff.
I still cannot fathom out how Salford won the lot last year, they were a decent team but not great like the Hull KR team of 2006, they were the best all round NL team ever imo.
Celtic just did the basics right, typical lower grade Aussies, a bit boring.
We are similar to the Cas team of 2007 but even more entertaining.

The purists will say that we take too many risks with the ball and concede too many pooints without it. I couldn't give a damn as long as we win every game we play ! What a cracking team to watch ?

The opening question asked if 'Fax are better than us and the Reds.

Based on last season, Salford were 1, we were 2 and you were 3. But it was close.

So no, not considerably better but also not worse.

Add to that, your fine stadium and good support and I'd hope that the RFL listens to your MPs and brings you in to SL.

However, I imagine that they are not REALLY trying to get you in. Just trying to make a bit of populist capital before election time.

Widnes fans made (and occasionally still make) lots of noise about us stealing THEIR franchise spot.

What I heard, it was you and Leigh next in line. Here's hoping it comes off.

Oh one little point Fax4Life,

Not knocking 'Fax in any way, but our "typical boring Aussies" were putting CRICKET scores on much of NL1.

I believe, (contrary to many flat-capper's claims) that WE are there on merit (temporarily putting aside the Aussie army argument) and that our foundations are there (U18s just having become league champions by beating the previously unbeaten Leigh Miners 32-10).

We'll take some of the low-hanging fruit in SL later this year don't you worry. But would still be glad to see you guys in the mix with us in 2010. Perhaps then we could answer the opening questions.

You cant temporarily put aside the aussie argument. The RFL gave you a relaxed quota so you could finish second and they could justify your licence. IF fax or widnes had had the same quaota as you they would have finished above you. A team full of player of Ben Black standard would have been unstoppable!

To get back to the topic.

Salford. Yes we are, this team would have done last years reds at any stage of the competition with our new found defence.
Hull KR. No, not until we increase the completion rates and really destroy someone, I'm looking for Matt's 100 pointer here.
New South Wales. Early season yes, the team that finished the comp probably about equal until we see the improvements from above. But they did have a team full of Aussies

Watching Salford and Celtic this weekend and several times this season, I believe we could turn them both over, more so Celtic, they were dismal yesterday!!

But, I doubt we could compete week in week out with this side in Super League. We'll see how close we are however on Saturday.

Me too, I'm not sure we'd be Celtic both they're getting beaten every week and it shows. It's alright commentators banging on about 'battling on', they're safe no matter what so they don't have to scrap for the wins and it shows.

You were very organised and you got 2nd spot on merit but ask me about being entertaining and no not imo from the games I saw.
As for last season well you seem to have forgotten defeats at places like Whitehaven, Sheffield, Featherstone and Salford plus at home to Whitehaven. Plus your highest victory was 56-28 at home to Batley, you never scored more than 50 points in any other league game so where were the cricket scores???
As for your U18s well done but you are a professional club playing against amateur clubs, hardly a 'level playing field' yet again.
Do this in the Academy that SL teams play in and I will sit up and take notice.
Oh and by the way less of the flat cappers, its wearing thin and I find it insulting, its like calling you a sheep fancier.

Seems to me that anytime anyone mentions a fair and level playing field for all we are called flat cappers well if that is the case I`m proud to be one thank you very much.

I aint that fussed really but its in the context that hacks me off as you say, as soon as we say anything that goes against the 'expansionist ideals' we get this thrown at us.
They forget that we are on about 'fairness' and comparing 'like for like' plus getting clubs like Celtic Crusaders rammed down our throats even when they are not that good!
The point being its not expanding the game I am against at all its the unfair advantage these clubs get and the abuse when you dare 'criticise' tham in any way at all, even if you are probably right.
Hey Ho.
Come the day of reckoning in 2011 we shall see won't we?????