So can we stay on topic please.

I think we can make 8th with a bit of luck on the injury front and if we manage to keep the current squad. The question is who can we replace/finish above to achieve it?

Wigan (although weaker than last season), Saints, Leeds, Hudds, Wire, are definates leaving both Hull's, Catalans, and possibly Salford (if they can gel) Cas look more balanced too.
Realistically, given the above we need to probably displace Hull KR or Catalans, and finish above both Salford and Cas. Optimistic but achievable.

Really not fussed if we make the top 8 whatsoever, none of us should be. Next year is all about survival, as RHP has been quick to point out.
If we're still solvent this time next year, and we're still in SL, then we will have our full sky allocation back and THEN we can discuss making the 8.

Agreed. Making the 8 would be a welcome bonus, but it's certainly not a priority from my point of view. If we keep hold of the best of our squad, and get back on a sound business platform, I'd be a happy chappy.

I don’t think we have depth to make the 8. I’ll settle for getting through the season without any off field dramas and hopefully a SL place next year.

Phil Clarke's finishing predictions: www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/ ... club-guide Salford Warrington Leeds Wigan Saints Huddersfield Hull FC Catalans Widnes Hull KR Castleford Bradford Wakefield London

Phil Clarke's finishing predictions: www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/ ... club-guide Salford Warrington Leeds Wigan Saints Huddersfield Hull FC Catalans Widnes Hull KR Castleford Bradford Wakefield London

Salford won't finish top of the pile, not this season anyway!

Bulls top 4,Wakie and Hull FC to get relegated

Wigan
Huddersfield
Warrington
Leeds
St Helens
Salford
Catalans
Hull FC
Hull KR
Bradford
Widnes
Castleford
Wakefield
London

Salford to finish top is ludicrous! I'm pretty sure Phil Clarke makes these outlandish predictions to stir up controversy. I remember when the wonderful Angela Powers predicted Bradford to finish dead last a couple of years ago.

Phil Clarke is a complete idiot. Always has been.

Must run in the family!!!

I keep chopping and changing my predictions. I put Warringtob first, but that's probably only because they've been excellent for last few years. Briers, Morley,
Carvell are huge huge blow. Muler & Ratchford are hugely talented. But in the crunch games gainer Leeds, Wigan etc Briers stood up with the big play. Can Ratchford and Myler. You look at their front row and its not as frightening as inyears gone by.

Wigan have a huge blow in losing Tomkins, Bowen is a great replacement though and Wane always has them well drilled.

Leeds have a great back line and Aiton a good signing for them. But the half backs are another year older.

Hudds have kept most of their squad and have strengthened it. Broughton is a great signing. Yet no one has ten finishing top again.

Saints could finish top but need to keep Walsh fit. Excellent pack!

Salford will be in top 6.

A rare positive about the state of the game is that it is incredibly hard to predict top or bottom.

When you think about it, whilst unlikely it isn't beyond the realms of possibility that the whole world predicting London finishing bottom end up wrong. It makes their team talks easier "right lads, everyone has written us off, go out there and show em".

Not many people mention Leeds I notice. I wouldn't call them dark horses but certainly navy blue.

I think most seem to think Leeds are fading a bit, but, of course, if they are fading it's from a great height, so they'll still be a force, imo. Being 'dark horses' only puts them under the radar and if no-one fancies them they'll probably be all the more dangerous.

I always fancy our chances in the derby games since they often don't go to plan, but I suspect they'll be finishing at the the other end of the standings to us.