So, job done (well, first 2 jobs done); and tied for 8th.

A win against Saints really would spark things up for our season. Particularly as Hull are playing poorly, and Harlequins by the sheer law of averages are going to win again sometime, so if they won at Hull we could tiptoe into 8th already.

Then the week after we could consolidate 8th (or move into 8th if we can't do Saints) as we are at home to Hull in a 4 pointer, whilst HKR are being marmalised by Wire.

So COYB, do your bit.

Four clubs with a point between them, plus Cas with a tough run-in and a cushion that could be eroded. Up for grabs.

Well, I am now confident that we will make the 8.

What, "confident", you cry?

Well, yes. I made up this little spreadsheet, put in the points I think we and our rivals for the 8 will get to the end of the season, and the way it looks to me, we have got something to spare.

Subject to:
* I haven't checked it. I think I've put a 2 and a 0 for each relevant match but it's possible I may have blooped, as you do when cobbling something in a hurry.
* I know you may find it hard to believe, but I may turn out to have got one or even two predictions wrong.

Even so, and even if some of the results go against us, it does seem that we should be able to do it without as much bother as I had thought; there's only Leeds who will be clear of us, but the others are some distance behind.

[url=http://goo.gl/DLzd9FA's bonzer forecasting spreadsheet[/url

You think we will beat Huddersfield and not Leeds?

Well, not really; my default brain mode is to expect that we will win every game. I have been doing this for eyfdwuqetfduw years.

But having had to swallow a healthy dollop of realism for the purpose of my arithmetic, I reckon that realistically perhaps we may win one of those games but not both; and it doesn't really matter which, as neither are rivals for our top 8 spot.

But of COURSE we'll whup the bloody Whinos!

Cas to have a a stinker, eh? Suspect they'll put more than one win on the board but it might not be a lot more.

Can only viably see 6 wins amongst the above. None of which against the Wigan to Wire games.

Defo need to bookmark this thread, to see who ends up with bragging rights?

My forecast? Haven't got a fekking clue. Depends which Bulls team turns up for each match, and what further injuries we have. If the team they CAN be turns up, and we avoid undue further injuries, we will be in the eight and maybe not just eighth. If the team we have seen they ALSO can be turns up, and we pick up more injuries (announced and unannounced) to key players, we'll be grubbing for the droppings at the bottom of the pond.

At the start of the year, I DID forecast a slow start but then gradually picking up more wins as the team gelled and the advantage of a bigger squad started to tell as injuries mount across the competition. On balance, despite "slow" start actually being "dreadful", I am still sticking with that prognosis as it stands now.

The biggest concern as a game is the growing number of serious injuries for each team, with likely, an average of around 6 front liners missing for each game for many teams.

That the RFL haven't undertaken an injury audit for it's athletes is embarrassing at best. Albeit if it was carried out by the same bunch of jokers who assess the salary cap then they will report a full bill of health for every club.

FA, theres only four results I would change on your spreadsheet,

Bulls to lose to Hudds, Cas to beat Wakey, Cas to beat Hull KR and Hull to beat Cas.

Meaning the table would be

6. Leeds 33
7. Hull 25
8. Bulls 25 (due to our terrible PD)

9. Cas 21
10. Hull KR 20
11. Salford 18

I have to say that these sorts of discussions make me smile

Results simply aren't that predictable, especially this season e.g Catalans winning at Warrington when they'd hardly won a game at that point, Crusaders walloping Huddersfield at Easter. Even Cats beating Wigan on Saturday was not really expected

There'll be loads of twists and turns, odd results and things that no-one expects. I'd not at all be surprised to see us turn over Saints, then blow it against Hull the following week...

TBF, the consensus on the equivalent threads last time out was pretty much correct - pipped at the post in '09.

Yes there will be twists and turns but chances are they will even themselves out. These threads are just an attempt to incorporate the fixtures yet to be played into the league table n order to give a better picture of where everyone stands right now.

So not really much changed from [url=http://viewtopic.php?f=19&t=490166&hilit=so+the+play+offshere[/url then. Bar of course the catalans surprising a few of us.

I suppose one way of looking at it is that if we manage to beat Hull, then no other results matter, as long as in the rest of our games we total no worse than them , KR or Salford.

And even then, a collapse by Cas could get us out of the mire..

another important weekend with another must win to get near Hull in the table and possibly back to 8th IF all other results went for us.

If we can beat Hull it will be great for us, also gives us a 4 match unbeaten streak (and confidence) going into Leeds game. Hope we smash Hull then take apart Leeds.

I would be happy with one out of the two, especially Leeds, but a win against Hull would be a banker as you say four unbeaten and a bit of momentum going

looks like you will need to beat Hull to stand a chance of play offs. 6 behind us with a much worse GD so you basically got to win 4 more than us in 10 games so i think sunday is a must win for you.

yes, the problem for us Hull etc is the 5 points gap between CAs and Hull which has turned it into two subleagues with the 8th playoff place the top one of the bottom section, so unless the form book goes completely out hte window the only way to get that 8th place is to beat Hull and all other teams in div B.

Yep, think Cas & Cats are probably out of reach now. I'd say we have a decent chance of the 8th spot if we can beat Hull tomorrow though.

Cats yes, Cas absolutely not. These are their games, and it includes a 4 pointer with us for starters:

A Catalan
Warrington H
A Wigan
Bulls H
A Crusaders
Saints H
A Leeds
A Wakefield
Hull FC H
A Hull KR

How much change do you see them getting out of that lot? By no means out of sight. If they maintain a gap despite us doing well, then they'll deserve to.

I hadn't looked at their fixtures, but if we can keep up the good form then yeah we would have a chance. Would definitely have to beat them though.

So basically we need to beat Hull FC, Cas and Hull KR as well as a couple of other games to get into the 8?

I think we can beat some of the teams already inthe 8 such as Leeds and Catalan.

What we need to do is play well and that should bring enough wins to secure a top eight berth. As usual far to much emphasis is being put onto single games, which on their own will decide nothing. For sure it would be nice to beat Hull but there are plenty of games between teams around the middle of the table still to play, so win or lose, in isolation it will neither cement a top eight spot nor rule one out.

I would usually agree 100%. But if we lose today, we would have a massive job to try and reach the 8. Winning all our remaining home games has to be the target. With our dreadful points difference it would effectively be a 4 point gap between us and Hull.