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.

I totally get why people might think McD might be a bit of a problem going forwards, after all, he did take Quins from pushing for play offs to fighting to avoid the spoon.

I just don't understand how people can think it'll be a problem this season?! I mean, we still have the same players. It's not like Sinnie/JP/Buderus/Senior/Leuluai/McGuire/Burrow/Webb are all going to just become c[ir[/iap players because he's in charge. Players of that calibre must practically coach themselves surely?! Adding a new coach, with fresh enthusiasm and new ideas (even if only one or two of the ideas hold any weight!) can only be a good thing in the short term??

I understand the concerns for the future, when he's the man charged with finding us the next Kevin Sinfield, but for this season, he can only be a good thing.

After the consistent run of success we have enjoyed over the last few years it is unrealistic to expect too much for this season, bearing in mind that we will be without two of our most influential players for half this season plus a new coaching set up.

I would be very happy to reach the halfway point in the season still in touch with the leaders. With the boost of JP & DM returning we could well surprise a few with a strong finish.

I would also be very happy to see us returning to a more attractive open rugby style with a good offload game. Much will depend on the form and fitness of Sinfield, Webb, Burrow and Buderus but I still have some concerns about a lack of go forward.

So I am not expecting silverware success this year but hope that we play good rugby and beat everyone at Headingley

My expectations for the year? Leeds will finish in the top 4, will make the semis of the CC and playoff's and many numpties will claim it is shocking. I find it very interesting to see how many people are happy to write of BMD without even speaking to him. I have a feeling that he will prove many people wrong this year, and quite enjoy doing it.

Oh and AP will continue to see things in a glass half empty way on the board, but will be quite different in reality.

i agree, i think brian mac may surprise a few people.
on the playing side i thought last year we had our best squad, depth wise, for a number of years. injuries decimated us and i thought we did fantastically well to have the season we had.

assuming, , we have a just the normal amount of injuries i fancy us to do well this season, certainly to be competing in all competitions

Think we'll finish 5th this year.If we get an early injury to Sinfield or Burrows then it could be as bad as 7th-8th.A change of coach has been good for morale and like said before the junior conveyor belt has run dry. But at least we have a team who never ever give in as shown in many games last year and surely we cant have a worse start to the season as last year.
Semi-finals for challenge cup as i think we'll meet another top side and come up short.
Knocked out in the 2nd weekly round of the play offs

I think Burrows & Maguire will be like having new players this season.

To be honest i think we will go slightly better than most on here expect. If we have abit more luck with injuries which undoubtedly cost us some games last season we have a chance. I think we will finish top 2.

I don't agree with the ageing squad notion. I remember Wigan winning everything then the bulls and both of those teams had plenty of over thirtys.

I thnk we will hit the ground running this season. Can see us being top around may time and with DM and JP to retunr that should give us a boost.

We will not turn into a bad team in a year. Just 16 months ago we were champions the team is pretty much the same.

Before AP comes back anc calls me a believest i am not. I am just looking at the squad in conjunction with a shake up in the coaching dept. I think we will go well.

So i expect: Top 2 and hopefully a run in the cup (lottery as they are one off games).

BURROW

His name is BURROW.

It's ok though, he's only played for us for 10 years.