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!!!

Don't forget to add your predictions on the Regular Round finishing table here: viewtopic.php?f=17&t=477434 As for Leeds' prospects they will rest in large part on the quality of the coaching staff assembled.

Don't forget to add your predictions on the Regular Round finishing table here: viewtopic.php?f=17&t=477434 As for Leeds' prospects they will rest in large part on the quality of the coaching staff assembled.

I see Leeds finishing 4th or 5th behind Wigan, Warrington and Hudders. However if Leeds got third I wouldn't be that surprised. I can't see them getting higher than that. A cup win is a definite possibility.

IMO you can divide the end table up quite easily the way I see it is as follows:

1-3 Wigan/Warrington/Hudders (plenty of continuity and quality).

4-5 Leeds/Saints. Still quality but some questions over new coaches and some injuries to contend with.

6-8 HullKR/Hull/Bradford. Some quality but some weaknesses in key areas.

9-11 Cas/Cats/Salford. Some with new coach or major changes to squad but no real strengths in any areas.

12-14 Crus/Wak/Quins. Question marks over depth, quality and coaching.

I'm fairly relaxed about the new season. There is certainly enough talent, commitment and experience in this squad to be contending for both a GF and CC Final appearance.

However, the question mark for me, is whether our coaching setup is up to the job, not the players. We could see a reinvigorated Leeds, playing the fast attacking rugby, that last season excepted, has put a smile on all our faces these last few years, or we could simply implode if there is major cock up over tactics.

I have to believe that GH sees something in McD, and Brian and him are on the same wavelength. Hopefully we will see a more robust pack this season, giving the backs the opportunities which were a tad lacking in a few matches last season. Danny will be back mid summer and soon showing his class, but I suspect we have seen the last of JP as a major force for us.

I fancy Warrington to be the top dogs this season, and anyone from us/Wigan/Saints for runner up.

i see the complete opposite to where we have been previously where we had a slow start and strong finish.

BM will have them trained and up for it, i wouldnt be surprised to see us dominate the early stages of the leagues, its whether we fall away at the end which is the question.

I also think this is the right way to go, we arent Quins so our fall in form wont be as dramatic, we have DM and JP coming in 2 or 3 months into the season to give us another boost. I think we have a bigger squad this year, especially up front as well, which will help.

This is also a squad of players who know what needs to be done, they know how to win, and how to be successful, they know what it takes to lift a trophy.

There is a negative and a positive to most things, JP's injury for example, whilst we will miss him undoubtedly, he looked spent a lot of the end of last year, he is getting on a bit, maybe it will be better for us to have 4 months of JP on his top form at the end of the year, than a full year of JP tiring.