Think if Long fails to live up to expectations or is out injured for any length of time then I think FC could struggle again as a Horne/Washbrook combination hardly has you drooling at the prospect does it?

The pack doesn't look bad but Manu needs to pick his game up as he hasn't looked half the player he was, O'Meley and Fitzgibbon should really stiffen them up and maybe Manu will play less game time and be able to make more impact from the bench.

Fullback was a major problem last season but if Tansey carries on where he left off then they should be stronger there. Hall is great going forward but I'm not convinced on his defence and I hope Briscoe continues his development and isn't affected by the 4 Nations in a negative way (I personally thought he was used as a scapegoat due to his age), would like to see him build his confidence on the wing and then maybe switch places with Craig Hall.

It will still be a struggle to break in to the play offs again as there are that many teams who can realistically make it.

1. Leeds
2. St Helens
3. Wigan
4. Warrington
5. Hull
6. Bradford
7. Hull KR
8. Huddersfield

9. Wakefield
10. Castleford
11. Catalans
12. Harlequins
13. Salford
14. Crusaders

Could say that about anyone though. Every team struggles will struggle without there number 7.

Plus, Manu cant be doing too much wrong, our player of the year last year.

Only Turner out that line up wasn't at your club last season.

The thing is, you have a different team to that this coming season. For me it clearly wasn't good enough and your results back it up.

You guys can feel more positive this coming year, your pack has depth and a good mixture of abilities.
You finally have a good S/H, who if stays fit is a massive improvement on last years option.

Im holding back on my league predictions for next year as there maybe a few more player movements.

Tansey and Lauaki played a handful of games between them due to arriving at the end of the season. Moa played few games due to fitness when he came over. Raynor, Briscoe, Washbrook, and Cusack missed most of the season through long-term injuries.

If the team described takes the field on a regular basis it will be far superior (on paper) to the side we had playing most weeks last season. Or the season before come to that.

I'm not making a prediction that we're going to go from bottom 4 to title contenders or anything like that, but I think quite a few folk are underestimating the impact of the changes that have been made.

Guess we'll have to wait and see.

While your club has certainly improved the playing squad(on paper), the key change that should have been made is on the coaching side and it wasn't. I honestly cant believe Agar is still in a job at your club.

I'm not exactly a huge fan of Agar myself. However, there are enough 'wise heads' in the squad to mitigate against his shortcomings. I think if we get no more than the average number of injuries for a change, we should be able to comfortably make the 8 even with Agar in charge.

One thing's for sure - if we have another poor season he won't survive it. In fact I'd be surprised if he'd be able to last through a poor opening run. He has nowhere left to hide, and to be fair to him he's admitted as much himself.

I agree with all of that, something is massively wrong if this seasons squad dont make the top 8.

2010...year of the wolf...

How many times have we heard this............

Too tight to predict for me, would say Leeds to finish top, after that who knows?????

Leeds Rhinos
Wigan Warriors
Warrington Wolves
Castleford Tigers
Les Catalans Dragons
St Helens
Huddersfield Giants
Hull KR
Bradford Bulls
Hull FC
Salford City Reds
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Harlequins RL
Crusaders RL



Really difficult to call this year. It's gonna be brilliant.

Leeds
Saints
Wire
Wigan
Hudds
Hull KR
Catalan
Bradford
Hull
Wakefield
Cas
Quins
Salford
Celtic

Rhinos
Wolves
Saints
Warriors
FC
Bulls
Catalans
Wildcats
Giants
KR
Cas
Quins
Crusaders
Salford

Leeds
Wigan
Hull KR
Warrington
St Helens
Huddersfield
Bradford
Hull FC
Catalans
Castleford
Wakefield
Harlequins
Salford
Celtic

i am just wondering why so many, ' pundits', are putting HKR above the Giants.

I do not think either team will do as well as last year BUT Hull KR seem to have strengthened a lot less than the Giants have this season

I will be astonished if Rovers finish 7/8 places above Catalans/Bradford.

i'll be supprised if they finish in the top 4, going on current squad they have a weak pack.

I see that overall the "predictions" LOL compared to hopes and wishful thinking are still in line with "This is the most open SL ever"







Come October the GF wil be a variation on the Leeds/Saints/Bulls/Wigan merry go round with perhaps the Wolves as a rank outsider.

The rest also rans!!!




My "wish" would be for a Les Catalans V Hull KR grand Final but reality says it's a non runner.

hull have also signed a new assistant coach in dennis moore and we have ditched sharpe

Hull have been have in the final more recently than two of them and Warrington havnt been in it at all.

A weak pack or just a little light up front?

Leeds

I think we are stronger than last year. We have (on paper) a much stronger squad. Delany is solid if unspectacular, he is a better centre than Smith which should see us stronger in defence and better attacking wise making more of a threat out of Donald on that side. IMO Eastwood has the potential to go on to be one of the very best forwards in the game. He will add impact and something a little different to the Leeds side. I hope to see plenty of offloads and breaks from him aswell as a Graham-like ability to pass close to the line.

The best squad since 04 imo, with the ability to dominate it like we did then too. The biggest question imo is how we get around the huge challenge of keeping the squad right psychologically. Which shouldnt be underestimated

Saints
Soliola will add something new, very good player imo. Another year older another year slower for an ageing squad. Needs eastmond et al to step up to the plate which is a massive ask imo. Will still be there or thereabouts

Les Catalans.

A serious threat. Bit of a let down at times last year, didnt follow on from 08 as we would have wished. Sa and Dallas will contribute much more than a bit part Bird (however good he is) Another year of development for players like Baille. A good bet to win it IMO

Huddersfield

Great year for them last year. Brown knows what he is doing. Not a huge amount of movement and a fairly settled squad now. Gilmour is a great piece of business and they have great potential in players like Michael Lawrence

Wigan

All dependent on Maguire and what he can do. As much as Noble was criticised, he got wins. It may not always have been pretty but he got there in the end. Being a game away from the big one 3 years in a row isnt a terrible result. How much more can Maguire get out of a similar squad? a full seasons worth of Gleeson, along with opportunities which hopefully Tomkins and Ainscough will grab with both hands should be enough for them

Warrington.

Too soon for TS to mould them into winning the big one this year. But watchout for them in 2011. With a years worth of his training, and the players they have coming through. Not to mention the £££ Moran has shown he is willing to spend makes them a real threat

Bradford.

Massive dissapointment last year. Simply not good enough. They are in a strange situation where they seem to be giving Mcnamara time on the basis the kids will start to come through yet have thrown money at some ageing players. They have the class and experience to go better.

Hull KR

overachieved last year IMO. Ground out a lot of points which wont be available next year. Looking at their squad there isnt one area that would strike fear into the opposition they are just decent all round but dont have anything to go to the next level. A light pack and a mediocre three quarter line doesnt get you to grand finals. They also need a good hooker. Fisher can tackle but thats about it. If they can get close to where they were last year thats a massive achievement imo

Hull

Monster pack, decent set of backs, if Horne and Long click, they could surprise a lot of people. On paper a very good squad. Good front row, i like their use of impact and a speedy backline. Tansey is a great utility, not sure if he is a first choice fullback. Would say they are a little light on numbers and question if Agar is the man for the job.


Castleford

Still young, still learning. Mixed some atrocious performances last year with some which were very good. They have a decent spine but need improvement in the pack and a fairly poor three quarter line

Quins RL

They fell away last year drastically. BM certainly knows how he wants his players to play, they have a rigid structure which they can stick to and grind out a few wins. Another year of improvement from the talent coming in could give them a boost but the squad overall lacks a bit of quality

Wakefield

Could be anywhere. The squad lacks quality and with drew gone will rely almost solely on brough for creativity. A committed squad who will get wins and Kear can certainly inspire them. Putting a bit of faith in some youngsters for once, which is good to see, but they will make mistakes and it will cost them points. Could shoot up the league if some clubs have poor years again could struggle if they have good ones.

Salford.

Hopefully Mcrea is putting the foundations in place as he did for Hull and Saints because the first team doesnt look great. Have lost some good youngsters but also kept a few like ratchford. Hopefully a better year for them but they havent got a squad which is much different from last year

Celtic

All the issues have hampered them. They will struggle. Squad is currently short on quality though some are being brought in. Noble however knows how to win. They will get points. They should be aiming for 20 points next year with 13 a minimum