wire
saints
wigan
leeds
catalans
hull
hudds
cas
kr
london
bradford
wakey
widnes
salford

what does everyone else think?

Something like that, although I'd expect Hull FC to be much higher and possible dark horses for the top 3.

I'd be delighted if we finish 8th but unless the youngsters really step-up then size of squad is likely to prevent a high finish again.

Sadly, I'd expect Wakey to finish higher than you estimate (possibly above us) but with any luck Agar will destroy another decent looking squad!

This is so so difficult as i think the comp has split into 4 groups

Top 6
Wire
Saints
Leeds
Wigan
Catalan
Hull
But that order will change due to injuries / Luck
7-11
Cas
Wakey
Hudds
London
Kr
Again take your pick on order its anyones Guess
12-14
Bulls
Widnes
Salford

Cant se past Wire for GF but thought that this year and do genuinely think the Hudds wheels will fall off

I like the look of hull in 2012, they have some real quality in the 17 but outside the 17 they don't seem to have too much depth.

I think if we only get a reasonable amount of injuries and not having 10 player out at once (which every team ion sl would struggle with) we can do well, a lot of our young players got experience last year and i think we will reap the benefits of that this season. i think some of them could really take sl by storm this year, especially clark, i think owen from fb will give us a new dimension in attack and a much improved last line of defence, with all the off field changes i expect us to be much fitter this year too.

To be honest i can see wakey anywhere in the bottom 3, smith is a poor half back with woeful defence, and i dont rate agar as a coach. They are effectively a brand new team , just like a promoted side pre-licensing, and they always took a long time to gel, i cant remember any promoted side finishing out of the bottom 3 off the top of my head. they have some good players-amor, wilkes, ellis, mariano, johnson, lauatiti(sp) and mellers but plenty of poor ones too like james, mathers, smith, washbrook. Definatly a prop or 2 light too.

League positions mean bog all this year - I think Cas and Wakey will be within two points of each other somewhere between 6 and 10.

My main prediction is that IF Newmarket gets the go-ahead in March, then some time towards the end of the season Tricky will announce that GH is 'on hold' until the economic situation improves, and that Cas will be joint tenants at Wakefields one and only community stadium.

I also predict that Mathers will retain his unearthly ability to run scross the pitch at high speed, covering loads of distance but not making any yardage! I think Owen will do well at FB for you - he never quite learned not to overrun his centre as a winger, and cost you a few tries when he played there.

Only a Wakefield fan could try turning this into a stadium thread Jog on troll

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

Its a prediction thread - nothing more. Don't be so sensitive, I know you're worried but I'm sure everything will turn out all right.

I hope this doesn't turn into another bitch fest that has sadly littered so many threads on here in the past

I think we could finish anywhere between 6th and 12th, league position could be dictated by how many injuries we might get (on top of those we start the season with), also the interchanges have been cut which might be more difficult for some teams to adjust to.

I think that will be the top 6 with Hudds as well making up the top half, as for the rest of the sides I genuinely think it could finish in any order and wins against the teams around you will be the difference.

I don't. More likely to be Wakefield becoming tenants at Glasshoughton to be honest. (Notwithstanding the fact that Wakefield then have to submit a Reserved Matters application, which will take a further 12 weeks plus the worst-case 4 month turnaround time for YCP to submit it. Wakefield will not have a stadium by 2014 season at the earliest.....if it even gets the go ahead).

Back to the original thread subject area:

Wire
Wigan
Saints
Leeds
Hull
Catalans
Huddersfield
Hull KR
Castleford
Bradford
London
Wakefield
Salford
Widnes

After taking interest in other fans 2012 predictions i feel the fans of some clubs being 'slightly optimistic' to be an 'understatement', in particular that of the Bulls and the Wildcats who are now dead cert's for the play offs (i do believe Widnes/Wildcats fans and teams optimism may see them through the first part of the season for differing reasons but also think the season will take its toll).

I think in the main the Cas faithfull have accepted this year will be at best 8th and down to 11th not a suprise with a poor start down to players still unavailabe whilst recovering from last years injuries and off season surgery.

Injuries to key players at all clubs will have a massive bearing along with the progress of up coming youngsters - some thing we have certainly put a lot of emphasis on.

Hard to predict finishing positions but groups generaly more likely ;

1 Wolves
2 St Helens
3 Wigan
4 Leeds

5 Catalan
6 Hull
7 Giants
8 Hull KR

9 Tigers
10 Bulls
11 London
12 Wildcats

13 Salford
14 Widnes

Wholely concur with that.

A number of clubs that finished below us last season have completely revamped their squad with their fans making the assumption that a new player = a better one than was there last year. A presumption that sometimes proves ill-founded!

Cas on the other hand have made very few changes, not losing anyone of note and only adding one significant signing (Grant Millington). Although, going on the reports from those that attended the Boxing Day game, Josh Griffin may prove to be a more than useful addition.

I've no doubt that our lack of activity in the transfer market will lead to other fans and the media predicting a Cas finish towards the bottom of the table, but for me I think there's a few factors that may end up proving them wrong.

1. Whilst there's been little change in the playing staff, there's been a total revamp of the coaching staff. Opinion is divided as to Millward's merits but it sounds like he's already made a significant improvement in the professionalism of the club regarding training etc. which should improve fitness and ability to shrug off/prevent injury.

2. Cas have a significant number of young and promising players in the 1st team squad that cut their teeth in SL last year and should be much better for being a year older and more experienced. Notably Millward seems intent on giving Daryl Clark a lot of game time which to my mind can only be a good thing as he's got the potential to become one of the stars of SL.

3. Many people forget but last season we were on course for a top 6 finish until injuries took their toll. Appreciate that all sides have to cope with injuries but we were particularly unlucky in losing the majority of our props for the 2nd half of the season. Huby, Walker and Emmit picked up season ending injuries whilst Fozzard and Jackson seemed to miss every other game due to continuous niggles. We look certain to start the season without Huby, Walker & Millington but hopefully they will be back after a few weeks and maybe we could do a 'Leeds' and have our strongest side available for the 2nd half of the season so allowing a climb up the table.

NB. Before any incredulous Leeds fans jump on the back of my last comment, I'm not suggesting Cas could make the Grandfinal, merely that we could have a poor start to the season and a stronger finish....

Oh you have your fun while im at work doing all Your work

And by the way why havent you put your 10 fav songs on that thread ( i suspect because it would read East 17 greatest hit )

I think you're being a bit generous with London. And I don't know why, but I can't see Millward leaving you in the same spot as 2011. He'll either be a disaster and leave you in about 12th, or else he'll be a miracle and take to you to something dizzy like 5th or 6th. A gut feeling, nothing more.

The people most depressed should be Bradford. Their history has given them expectations they won't match.

As for Wigan, I've got a bet on that they won't finish in the top 4. My rationale is that Wane won't be as good a coach as Maguire and that Harris won't be as good an assistant as Wane. Oh yeah, and that we'll finish in the top 8. September could be an expensive month.

Here's to a year of rugby, not the other stuff.

London have got experienced backbone in the likes of Dorn, Randall, Rinaldi. And they've just recruited some really good players to compliment those they already have. I certainly think they're as strong as Wakefield and Salford, although depth may be an issue.