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.

Been to every forum and most predict Widnes bottom.I think a few will be surprised and Widnes will come 11th or 10th.Been underdogs should fire them up and still two major signings to come with squad 18 and 19.Watts and Mullaly are players to look out for next year.

Our ground won't get started, that's my prediction...other than that nothing else matters, without that we are going nowhere!

Cas, Bradford, Wakefield fans along with us at Rovers seem to expecting big things this year, you havent signed many so maybe the stability plus your crop of cracking youngsters will push you up into the playoffs this time, Wakey are brand new, to the outside world youd expect them to start slow and be playing catch up, but Wakey fans think otherwise. IMO Bradford and Rovers are in similar positions whereas weve signed a few unknown NRL players, are they any better than what we had? Some Rovers fans are predicting big things from ours after seeing them on youtube for 3 or 4 minutes lol. London im not sure about, but for me the most suprising thing about all these 2012 prediction threads is Huddersfield and how low a lot of fans are putting them. IMO this is gonna be a good season

wire
wigan
saints
leeds
fc
catalan
cas
kr
hud
broncos
salford
bradford
widnes
waki

i'm sorry to dissapoint you cas fans,
but i think that although you will turn over some of the big boys early doors that you will just miss out on the top 8

1- warrington
2- saints
3- rhinos
4- wigan
5- giants
6- catalan
7- hull kr
8- hull fc
9- castleford
10- bradford
11- salford
12- wakefield
13- broncos
14- widnes

No worries, Jonesy. That's a pretty accurate assessment of our position and I think most Cas fans are being realistic in the fact that our expected position is around 8th or just below. Anything above that would be a bonus, I think.

+1

Castleford 6-8 and Challenge Cup finalists..