Yep totes.

On a more positive note, it's coming up 50 years since they last beat us in a major final

Seriously, the more recent run is of concern and needs redressing. It's getting embarrassing.

More the manner of some of those defeats against saints. No disgrace to lose but to simply roll over...
But you're right in that there needs to be a tightening up against the lesser lights too. Hopefully both get addressed.

While beating lower-placed teams gets you into the finals it doesn't make you a genuine competitor if you get cannot beat top teams. Every year somebody qualifies for the play offs purely through a good record against lower teams only to crash out as soon as they face a contender. You can win the Challenge Cup that way with luck in the draw, but you won't win the league that way, and while all wins are welcome, if we're serious about taking Sts on next year we have to be getting close this.

Do you think we are capable of beating Saints and win the competition?

Im not sure how anyone can answer that before a single game has taken place, there are far too many factors involved.

For a start injuries will play a massive part in any teams season, and there is no guarantee that Saints (or indeed us) will actually perform to their best as it appears on paper.

Can we beat Saints and win the GF this year, yes of course, why not, whether we will is a totally different matter.

Our squad for this year IMO is the best we've had since 2015 but it means nothing if it doesn't translate to performances on the pitch

Agree. in the seasons when we've got to GF or indeed won them (which is most ) we've almost always given the tops teams those years real good games.

Agree Chris. I'm looking forward to this year the most for a good while. It's very open imo as to who will win the GF. any team from Sainst, Wigan, Warrington, Leeds, Catalan could win it imo if things fall right for one of them (injuries etc).

Don't you big growler? We could do them in a one-off game for sure but all depends on personnel.

Everyone's always confident at this time of year before the season kicks off, but I'm expecting big seasons from several of our lads. Walmsley is a bit of a freak but Mik could be the competition's best prop this year (taking into account workrate too). Cam Smith has been looking smooth in pre-season. Sezer is arguably the best 7 in SL. Our right centre/wing looks a handful.

Been a long time since I looked at a Leeds squad and thought a) there are a few man-of-steel contenders in there and b) there are a significant number of lads who should be selected for England.

I dunno, we are a couple of players short of me being cocky about the season, but still this is a very different Leeds team beginning 2022 compared to last year. We look significantly better and better prepared. Whether we've made up that 30 point gap with Saints in the big games... ??

Correct, injuries will decide. We just look bit short in the pack if we get 2 first choice props out at same time…..

Youve covered every base there Jimbo. Very non-commital.this year lad

Just imagine if super league could pull this off https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/rugb ... l-22974776

Just imagine if super league could pull this off https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/rugb ... l-22974776

Think when he finds out his salary would drop by about 80% he wouldnt be too interested in switching codes to be honest.