2011 League table predictions..

Quote: sanjunien "
Quote: sanjunien "Where did Catalans finish last year? I fail to see how they've strengthened from last season, especially, when they seem to have lost some key players.

Salford's most important signings have been largely missed. The appointment of two fulltime assistant coaches and a new strength and conditioning coach. Who, surely, can't be any worse than Andy Haigh!!! Add to that, the extra attacking ability of Feka, Patten, Anderson and Wild. There are many ifs and buts surrounding Salford next season, but the extra coaching support for McRae and the new players added to the likes of

I'm not knocking Salford ! I respect any team especially one coached by Mr McRae ! Just to remind you,the Cats did beat the Reds twice last season (the cup game game was too easy,not helped by the Salford team having the long drive down etc) so,despite being at the foot of the table I don't think there was too much between the teams.However,
2010 has been and gone - it's a new era at Perpignan with a young & ambitious coach with a knowledge of the french ways which is important - he has new signings and a whole new atmosphere about the place.
Losing Greenshields for most of he season was integral plus losing Bosc,Ferriol,Mogg,Bird,& Walker to name but a few for long periods was a major factor plus the obvious ineptitude of Walters as coach who somehow felt it easier to coach from BEHIND the posts ! Happily,this era has finished - Unfortunately the club is still strongly influenced by the President Mr Guasch which could be the only hinderance to Trent Robinson,just as it is to Bobbie Goulding in the France outfit.
I'm quite confident the Cats will finish mid-table with Salford just below.'"

Likewise, I'm not knocking the Cats and fully appreciate the injuries you had last season. I do, however, think the top 7 are already set, and the rest of us are playing for that final spot. Bradford have signed even more players than Salford, although I would question the quality of some of their squad, but yourselves seem to have lost a few of your better players. Salford have, maybe, signed one too many older players, and the course of our season hinges on the development of our young props and the plugging some of the holes in our leaky defence. If we can manage that, then we'll steal the march on the remaining teams.