Anything less than top 4 and a decent cup run has to be considered a massive failure with the squad we've got surely?!

That's just daft. Have you not looked at other squads?

I can see this board clamouring for the sacking of the coaching team come August. Anything outside of top 6 is a failure and needs addressing, but above that is a realisation of the competition.

Controversial.

Not debating that some of the other squads are strong this year, but for a squad with as much quality as ours with a new coaching system in place we ought to be pushing for honours come the end of the season, which I think we may be.

I'm interested that you mention both Hull clubs and Huddersfield as having strengthened to a point where they are at least the equal of Leeds. Willie Mason apart, where do you consider they've significantly upgraded?

Hull FC have lost one of their most influential players in Berrigan, Huddersfield have a large number of players coming off a shortened off-season which will hit them as they year goes on.

It was an opinion, we will just have to see what pans out when the results have happend.

But I am interested as to where you believe I said both Hull clubs are the equal of Leeds? I said improved, but I don't think I made any mention of been equal did I?

I did say Huddersfield were stronger, which like I said is an opinion. Putting the opinion that some Leeds players will go backwards aside, I believe Huddersfield look very good for this year. Obviously a thought matched by the England selectors considering the squads for the last tour. But I think O'Donnell is a very good signing that will improve them, and I am really excited about seeing how Partrick, Lawrence, and Cudjoe have developed further. To add to this I think a fully fit Kirmond for the year will see him come on leaps and bounds, and I strongly believe you will see a better Danny Brough this year with a preseason under Nathan Brown. Just like I personally believe a couple of Leeds players are a "spent force", I also have the opinion that Brett Hodgson was also one, and I just don't think the Giants will miss him.

If Hull FC have improved, given they only finished 3 points behind Leeds in 2010 that must surely put them on a level footing, no? Particularly given that one or two unnamed Leeds players are "a spent force" while others are "going backwards".

Ahh, it's a fair enough point, but very simplistic. Finishing positions I have pointed out are not necessarily the only judge of improvement.

Infact you missed this part of my post out



I think the same of both Hull clubs also by the way. Might that therefore be a net effect? resulting in improvement without been on equal footing.

Our squad, man for man, is easily one of (if not the) best squad in the league.

If you were to do an exercise... "Name the top 3 or 4 number 1s in the league" Webb would be in most people's list. I think if you applied that logic to every squad number we'd have somebody in most categories.

The only people I don't think would make most lists is Smithy & Delaney. Obviously that's a problem for us given that they both play down the same wing but hey, ho. Hopefully the whole will be greater than the sum of the parts.

We have just as much chance as anybody else. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. (Which reminds me we haven't discussed cake for a while?? Where's Mc_F [SPACE] at?! Did you ever get any of that Christmas cake?)

Mc_Fat?

He's not going to like that you know...

Super League is (and always has been) primarily a 4-team competition, with the rest of the clubs just making up the numbers. Apart from a few glitches, it's always been about Saints, Wigan, Bradford and Leeds. Bradford have fallen by the wayside and they've been partially replaced by Warrington as a competitive force.

Last season therefore, Leeds finished 4th and LAST among a bona fide 4-team competition behind Wigan, Saints and Warrington. In fact, Leeds were so poor last season, they were almost overtaken by Huddersfield. They did OK in the CC benefiting from huge slices of luck and good fortune against Wigan and Saints. Their true form and lack of competitiveness was exposed by Warrington in the Final when they were humiliated in one of the most one-sided CC Finals for years.

The academy has run dry so Leeds are now reduced to scouring prospective talent from places like Whitehaven and Featherstone instead.

Leeds have also recruited a coach with a Super League record which is the envy of absolutely nobody. A coach who turned a club with mid-table/play-off aspirations into a cellar-dwelling embarrassment.

I expect Leeds to finish behind Wigan, Saints and Warrington and finish LAST - AGAIN! I haven't yet ruled out the prospect of Leeds finishing behind Huddersfield in 2011.

Their most realistic prospects lie with the CC. Given favourable draws and huge slices of luck and good fortune again, they may progress to another Wembley appearance where they will be ritually humiliated - AGAIN.

TFR.

To be fair, that's not a bad assessment!

I prefer to be more positive & optimistic but you're essentially right, it's a four horse race and we came fourth.

Still, we'll be there or thereabouts! Chin up Keith!!!