3rd in the League, CC Winners.

Is it possible to expect the unexpected? I would argue it's impossible because if you expect it, it is by definition not unexpected. I guess I don't know what to expect and I'm worried that if I expect the unexpected then it won't be unexpected when it happens and I will have caused the season to be predicatble and boring.

The only think I can safely expect is that some people are going to get upset a bit.

Wow, thats deep.

I seem to remember at some point in the life of this message board that certain weight was given to something called the Flat Track Bully Table:

Wigan - Won 4 Lost 2
St Helens - Won 4 Lost 2
Leeds - Won 3 Lost 3
Warrington - Won 1 Lost 5


Add in the playoffs and Cup results:
Wigan - Played 10 Won 6 Lost 4
St Helens - Played 9 Won 5 Lost 4
Leeds - Played 11 Won 6 Lost 5
Warrington - Played 8 Won 2 Lost 6

So by the previously agreed way of measuring the top 4, actually Warrington finished last.

I think we'll be there or thereabouts again this year - can't really ask for much more than that in a salary capped league.

The top 4 or 5 teams have definitely improved significantly last year and probably will again this.

I am looking forward to seeking how our squad develops as the year goes on - we need to bring some of the kids through ready for the next few years but we have some genuinely talented kids on the fringes...BJB, Watkins, Hood, Ambler, Clarkson etc

in't playoffs, and in't cup til semi's..
arr reckon

Should be an interesting year my concerns are:
Lack of half back for over half the season and it is unknown wether McGuire will resemble the player of last year - those who think Sinfield is a 6 are in denial - without McGuire last year we would have lost a lot more games than we did.

Lack of go forward without Peacock, Kylie nice fellow but easily neutralised, less said about his defence the better - as for Peacock read McGuire - will he be the player he was?

How much game time will Senior get? his defence is shocking and with another year is unlikely to improve

I was a big McClennan fan but the last year was very poor and the team stagnated at best. Hopefully under McDermott we will see a a more expansive free flowing style. Hopefully the young players will blossom - Liam Hood is the most exciting talent at Headingley since McGuire

I think we will finish top four behind Wigan, Warrington and Huddersfield - can't wait for the season to start

Looking forward to a season of rational discussion with you - let's hope we can raise the quality of debate beyond the norm - although I doubt it - sadly

I predict...

Continued decline in overall standards of British RL

Increased levels of static, defense oriented games

Sky commentators stating that this is the most competitive season ever and that every team can beat everyone else 'on their day'

An almost blanket disappearance of RL coverage at a national level

Another dire set of performances by the England side in the 'four' nations

Further financial struggles for three or four 'top flight' clubs including Harlequins Crusaders and Wakefield

Continued decline in attendances at club games

Leeds will win the double

I think we'll probably be competitive, but doubt we'll win the league. A bit of a transition season. May do ok in the cup

I can't see what all this transition and going backwards crap is all about and anyone who says we are not producing the young talent cannot be watching the same young players as me. We had a season without trophys ok. but just look at the injurys we suffered. I fully expect the team to be in the shake up, what more can you realisticaly ask for. I am not sure yet whether the new recruits are of the standard needed but give them a chance. Some of the youger guys have a chance to lay down a marker this season and one or two will make it. As for the production line, well like other clubs you have to let one or two go and risk them proving themselves elsewhere can't keep them all, but just look at a few in the pipeline, Hood an undoubted future star,Casey looks good to me, Singleton, Stewart, Wilson, carvell, Syron all looking good to me.