What a pointless thread, Wigan are rightly favourites, but any number of things could cause them not to retain their crown, think saints in 2005 and 2007. Massive favourites, but got unfortunate injuries for one, and bottled the other

TBH we are suffering from injuries at the moment with Gleeson, Richards, Finch, Fielden and Hansen.

5 of our first 13 are out and we beat Warrington on their patch, if it were another team it would be called a crisis but due to our squad depth and quality in that depth I don't really see injuries as a setback, plus the return of Hock in May/June I see us doing really well in the league and either winning the GF or CC.

Some people always think last years champions will walk the current seasons title and it rarely pans out as easy as that. I remember watching Saints 4 or 5 years back and thinking they had the title sewn up for years to come and then watching Leeds play over the years you wondered who could give them a run for their money but it's never easy and alot just comes down to who turns up on the night at Old Trafford.

I'm confident the Wigan squad has enough quality and depth to take a top 2 spot but then after that anything could happen in the play offs as the top 4 or 5 are all pretty similar in terms of ability.

It should be a cracking season.

As with most other supporters I would hope the club I support will be in with a chance, Wigan set a high standard last year & I hope whoever wins does it by matching or bettering that rather than Wigan slipping up. Good luck to all for the new season & lets all hope for injury free teams.

Well said.

Saints look a lot stronger than I thought they would, but I think it will be a couple of years that they and Leeds will have a lull while they redevelop younger players and restructure. I think Wigan and Warrington will be the dominating teams for a couple of years.

Wigan have strengthened this year. Leeds are weaker and unless McDermot proves to be this seasons Michael Maguire, which I doubt, will struggle for a top 4 place. Saints, as long as they get Price and Eastmond playing every week will do well but not seriously challenge. Warrington are capable as long as they don't get to Wembley. I think if Hull weren't held back by Agar, then it could really be their year to do something.

Overall and I'm not being biased, Wigan have the squad, coaching staff and back room set almost to perfection.
Not saying we aren't going to get beat at some stage but I'm having a bet that we will win everything.

Go home your milks boiling over.

Wigan weren't as dominant as Saints were in 2006 and Saints haven't won the title since.

Waaaay too early to talk about Wigan walking it in 2011.

I think Hoffman will better than Feka but I really don't see Lima being any better than Lima (sic).

Wigan were the best side over 27 games last year and will probably be so again this time. Who wins the C Cup and SL will come down to a few moments of magic, however, so it's not easy to be so certain. Pies deffo the team to beat though, Wire, Saints, Leeds next and Giants the dark horses.

HA i meant Phil Bailey,,,, was just testing you

I can remember last season when everyone wa saying the same sort of things about Leeds. We had added to the squad with Eastwood and Delaney, we had we thought was the deepest squad we have ever had, and look how it turned out. Until at least the first 5 fixtures are out of the way it is very difficult to tell how teams will play. Wigan have the WCC to worry about this year and defending their crown. Is it likely they will defend their crown? Yes I would say it is. But there are alot ofther factors as we found out last season and appearing to be in the strongest position is not always the case.

It's open to the 'top 4' again, as far as I can see, and a lot will depend on injuries, as ever.

Wigan's organisation and enthusiasm was fantastic last year. If they can maintain that they'll be difficult to beat, especially as they've strengthened on paper. It'll be interesting to see how new interpretations at the play the ball affect them, though.

Warrington have IMO had the best squad on paper for the last couple of years - if they gel then they're in with every chance.

I don't much fancy Leeds at the moment, but they've still got too much class to write off, and a change of coaching setup might provide the fillip they need.

Saints have their best and most balanced squad since 2006. We'll have more front row options this year, and if Wheeler, Eastmond and Shenton stay fit, we've at last got some pace again. Wigan are favourites, but it's wide open.

Give over it was a pre season friendly...The mistakes we made were off the chart..

We're favourites, I think we'll finish 1st. Then the Grand Final/Play-Offs is hard to predict.
Saints, Wire, Wigan and Huddersfield will all be there or there abouts.