I agree with Remarkable Rhinos.

The CC final performance was pretty flat as well, or is that one of the 'few silly matches'? I don't disagree by the way, and also agree with your more optimistic assessment. Last year was not a bad year but it WAS disappointing. Most of us expected Leeds would continue their success, given that the squad appeared to be significantly stronger than the previous year.

At the moment I'm cautiously optimistic for the new season - but there are just too many questions about this team with the various changes in the off-season and persistent injuries for me to be more confident (also I've not seen any of the pre-season games!).

i think we will go ok this year!

I think we will see a much improved squad this season over last because from what I see bluey's 'old boys club' has gone. If you're not playing well, you'll be dropped until you find your form again.

That, and if the reports of cutting down on lying on from the Stobart stadium are true, we can play better rugby and our discipline should improve. Our discipline problem last season was because we knew other teams were taking longer to get up and if we tried similar tactics we were penalised.

If we get plenty of youngsters making appearances this year and finish 4th, I think it will be a successful year. But, I do think we have a good opportunity to finish higher. Either way we will definitely be within 80 minutes of Old Trafford, if not there.

I'm confident we will challenge for the trophies on offer again and imo for every - that's aimed at us this season there's more than enough +'s.
I think the regime change has put a spring in the step and everyone is on notice to "perform" or lose your place.
Of course we'll need some luck injury wise and the odd bouce of the ball but if we can keep in touch with the front runners until Mags and JP are firing then we'll match anyone in this league and i include Wire ,Saints and Wigan.

Finish top, win the GF and the CC.

Nothing less

It can go either way. If our new coach carries on from where he left off then we’re doomed. But if he’s miraculously recovered from that doomed spell at Harlequins and returned to the coach eh once was whilst at Leeds then we have a good leader. James Lowes is also a concern as he like Paul Cullen couldn’t get the best out of Warrington.

However this squad of players are more professional than the ones at Warrington. We could probably have had Kevin Sinfield as player/coach this year. So I think that if The coaches don’t make too many changes and just freshen things up then my expectations are high. At the moment I think that we're capable of going for it all if the off season is anything to go by.

But any pointless meddling will just lead to a season of low expectations.

At the moment I am fairly optamistic. I agree I just think we had a slightly dissapointing year by our standards last year because we had won 3 in arow before that. Not sure we will win it but from what ihave seen pre season we have as good a chance as any. Hopefully with mags and jp missing for first half others will step up and take on their roles. But I certainly don't see us in decline or that much of a aging team. Seems to me we are doing the sensable thing and bringing in the youngsters in gradually with a nice blend of experience and youth

Anything less than top 4 and a decent cup run has to be considered a massive failure with the squad we've got surely?!

That's just daft. Have you not looked at other squads?

I can see this board clamouring for the sacking of the coaching team come August. Anything outside of top 6 is a failure and needs addressing, but above that is a realisation of the competition.

Controversial.

Not debating that some of the other squads are strong this year, but for a squad with as much quality as ours with a new coaching system in place we ought to be pushing for honours come the end of the season, which I think we may be.

I'm interested that you mention both Hull clubs and Huddersfield as having strengthened to a point where they are at least the equal of Leeds. Willie Mason apart, where do you consider they've significantly upgraded?

Hull FC have lost one of their most influential players in Berrigan, Huddersfield have a large number of players coming off a shortened off-season which will hit them as they year goes on.

It was an opinion, we will just have to see what pans out when the results have happend.

But I am interested as to where you believe I said both Hull clubs are the equal of Leeds? I said improved, but I don't think I made any mention of been equal did I?

I did say Huddersfield were stronger, which like I said is an opinion. Putting the opinion that some Leeds players will go backwards aside, I believe Huddersfield look very good for this year. Obviously a thought matched by the England selectors considering the squads for the last tour. But I think O'Donnell is a very good signing that will improve them, and I am really excited about seeing how Partrick, Lawrence, and Cudjoe have developed further. To add to this I think a fully fit Kirmond for the year will see him come on leaps and bounds, and I strongly believe you will see a better Danny Brough this year with a preseason under Nathan Brown. Just like I personally believe a couple of Leeds players are a "spent force", I also have the opinion that Brett Hodgson was also one, and I just don't think the Giants will miss him.