If you expect us to be up near Wigan and Saints you will be dissapointed , we are miles off . The conditions suited us in the Semi and you will not get those week in week out . We are a fair bit off Wire as well yet . We could finish anywhere from 4th to 10th as the rest of the comp is very competative .

Correct . The poster who says people may think he is being generous to Leeds is being far more than that

Have a look outside the window. This is England, it rains about half the time. Neither Wigan nor Saints are the all conquering crack squads some make them out to be. Better than the rest yes, but I think this is the year where we start to close the gap, and that means pushing them hard in league fixtures for the first time in a while. As for Warrington, not quite sure why some think they will be great. Their Marquee half back, Widdop, doesn't want to be here and will almost certainly head home at some point during the season. It won't be easy for them. I think we are building towards something and expect us to improve again this year.

How many games last season did we play in those conditions ?

I agree we are building towards something but we are no where near the level we need to be yet to chalenge the top 2 or Warrington

Think you are not far off with this bud. People seem to have built Wigan and Saints up to be world beaters. I sincerely hope the coaches and players are more of our mindset than some on here!

Regarding the team match up, Manfredi doesn't get in over Briscoe. Wigan fans are saying that sadly the injuries have robbed him. No way Newman gets in over Gildart though.....
Also Bateman will play SR and not loose. Having G. Burgess on the bench could be phantasy land as he in real bother with the hip. I hope he goes get though it, but from whar Wigan fans are saying the club is really worried....

Well said. I completely agree....

How many times did we play in the rain last year? I haven't reached those levels of lockdown boredom, but I'd wager a fair few. Bottom line is big games in England are often played in the wet, so discounting wins or losses is pointless. Two teams, 80 minutes, best team wins. I'm hoping we're not as bad as your posts indicate you think we are, and I am really looking forward to seeing them have a go at the elite teams this year. I think we will have some success. That would be a real step forwards.

It would be a big help if King V is more Ava S than Wellington Albert. If we have plucked a decent player from obscurity it will strengthen that pack to the point where we will be competitive against anyone.

Wigan and Saints are good sides but no current SL side is all that.

Not only do we need big seasons from the new props but we'll also need mic and holroyd to play something like they did last season.

not really holroyd needs an injury free season or will be next ward/walker

Thats the biggest concern about Tommy he has been consistently injured throughout his academy career. Hes a terrific prospect but we need to be careful with him. Hes still very young.

He needs to be playing Super League now but no way should he be in the 17 every week. Hes not matured enough for that yet 2 games in 2 games out will benefit him long term.

You are right Doc, he needs to show he can stay injury free.

Im a big fan of Tom tho.

I get he needs to be injury free but if he misses that many games we'll play alot of matches low on size in our pack.maybe they'll try to manage his spells differently and give him less minutes.

Agree Marty but if he’s spelled you should be robust enough to play 20-30 minutes per week, even if it is intense.

For me he is already in our top 17, but I’m sure a few games rest here and there wouldn’t hurt.

I imagine a good long pre-season won’t do any of the younger lads harm. One thing about Tommy I noticed was how much he trimmed down for last year - I do think he has the tiger in the tank and hopefully much more to come.

Not many games were played in the rain and have not been over the last few seasons , yes some big games are played in the rain but you have to be good enough to get to them , i think the top and bottom of this is you think we can compete with Saints and Wigan and i do not , another season or too maybe we will , i hope i am wrong . For me 4th place is the absolute best we can hope for this season

i hope so he looked good when was on