I don't think Saints have been good this year at all. But I think they have been a million miles ahead of us. Thing about Saints though, of the teams competing and now, they look possibly the most likely to go on and win the comp, despite how poor they have been throughout the year.

Does that say more about the comp as a whole though than about Saints? Catalans have folded like a cheap tent, Hull have been good so far but you get the feeling it could all go boom anytime. and Wigan have been below their best, well below yet again grind out results but you wouldn't fear them really.Warrington are decent team but far from 2011/12 side and heavily reliant on Sandow.And that is your top 5. So yes, i agree Saints look like they could sneak up on the rails if the cards fall come the play offs, but they really shouldn't be anywhere near with that current team. Just my opinion.

Dare i say it, i would actually fancy our chances right now had we got the right side of some tight games and still being a chance of the four.

If we'd beaten warrington first game, beaten wakefield at easter, saints away, catalans and widnes at home......we'd actually be 5th now based on current table and in with a shout of 2nd. All games we should have won but just lost. Barmy.

You could even argue, and I know this sounds mental, that the only real difference between us and wigan is that they were on the right end of some very close results at the start of the season, and we weren't.

And its true. We would still have been awful, but lets not pretend the likes of Wigan and Saints have been a whole lot better at times they have just won the really close games.

Whilst we might have a decent squad of players if fit.
We will still have a pretty poor half back pairing whichever 2 get picked out of McGuire, Burrow, Sutcliffe and Lilley.
One good signing would make any of those 4 look good alongside them.
But to think we might win something with what we have is optimistic to say the least.

Fair point about the quality half, we definitely need one.

Regards us being able to win this current comp from here say we were in 5th right now, what team would likely stop us? and who would you fear were we to make OT again? a place we have made our second home the last few years.

Saints have been a million miles ahead of Leeds? Haven't shown it in either of the two games where the sides have been in direct opposition this season.

They've scrapped their way to more scruffy wins than Leeds were able to do, but you'll struggle to find a single Saints fan happy with the way they've played this season or with the belief that Cunningham can turn it around.

What happened in the two games we had against Saints this season? At full strength, we're a top 4 side.

Your right about the saints fans. My Mrs is a season ticket holder there and everytime she comes home she can't believe how bad they are even when they win. Just shows how poor the sl as been this season. I don't care who wins grand final as long as it isn't wire or the pie eaters.

we lost so many games this year by scoring the same amount of tries as the opposition (on maybe one occasion more I seem to remember) but couldn't convert the 4 to 6 points. Don't underestimate how important it's been not having someone who could kick at goal the first half of the season. If we'd have had an 80% kicker we'd have won quite a few of those close games and our season may look similar to that of saints. Looks like sutty may be finding his kicking boots which is excellent news all round.

Assuming McGuire doesnt call it a day I cna see him having another stop start season just like this year. Another year older and the injuries arent getting any better. Burrow is evergreen but better as an impact from the bench. Im not entirely convinced by Lilley and its certainly not fair on him to have to carry the team at such a young age. I think we'll end up with plenty of cap space. i can see Hall gone and JJB might call it a day, Delaney is looking to leave and despite Watkins denials if an NRL club come looking he'll be gone like a shot. It looks like st george are in for segeyaro so we may well be right back at square one in the hooking position although Farrah may finally fall into place. Its scary that the club dont seem to be making any plans to recruit for next year. If this abysmal season hasnt been a wake up call then nothing ever could be. I fear the last few wins have papered over the cracks and the club will use this as an excuse not to invest in the squad, Money seems to be the big issue at the moment. The clubs disgraceful call for supporters to pressure the councils planning dept smacks of desperation and there doesnt seem to be a plan B. If that falls through and we have demolished the south stand in the interim will we be left with a three sided ground and no funds to finish it, Maybe its time fro a new more dynamic forward plannimg CEO at leeds.

If we lose Hall, JJB, Delaney, Watkins ,Segeyaro and Hardaker and end up with no south stand, it will make this season look like a belter.

I have faith that the sleeve and Caddick are too sharp to end up with a 3 cornered ground and no coin to rebuild