2016 predictions

Always like this time of year…Huddersfield/Hull/Hull KR fans look away now!

1. Leeds - Losing Peacock/Sinfield is a big blow but on and off the pitch they have a fantastic organisation, I know Cas fans hate me for saying it but I admire what they have built up.
2. Wigan - The only team who could possibly overtake Leeds. In certain games though they need to control the aggression.
3. Warrington - Recruited quite well, and I think they've done well by not responding to knee jerk reactions and sacking Tony Smith. I fancy them to play Leeds in the GF.
4. St Helens - Big year for Saints, they have some good players, not entirely convinced by Cunningham but if they can steer clear of injuries they will do ok.
5. Catalans - They would easily finish in the top four if they once and for all sorted out their away form. It must be really tough on full time professional players having to fly for an hour once every two weeks right?! They should really look at teaming up with a centrally based lower league club (e.g. Dewsbury) and developing some training/accommodation facilities so the players get used to the setup for away games.
6. Castleford - Not as good as 2015, but I fancy us to have a good home record and pick off a few of the bigger teams.
7. Huddersfield – Sorry Hudds fans, but I’m a bit unsure about this season, how much longer can they rely on Brough to work his magic? 'Ferresgate' will affect them a little and I'm not sure Anderson has what it takes to push them all the way.
8. Hull FC - They would do much better if they had a proven quality coach. They have big support, often spent well on players and have also received some nice transfer fees lately, don't know why they stick with a coach who makes them play such boring rugby. If they brought in someone better they would be challenging for the top 6. Still, it's a playoff spot.
9. Salford - Slight improvement, not convinced by their recruitment and no doubt the 'good' Doctor will get them newspaper inches. Tim Sheens will easily guide them to safety in the Middle 8s.
10. Hull KR - Right, to begin with I don't know where this 'entertainers' tag has come from. Having one entertaining player (Albert Kelly) does not in my book make them entertaining. Will be tough to beat at Craven Park but do little away from home.
11. Wakefield - Another season of struggle. However I again predict them to be in Super League come 2017, you can't fault them for doing the business when it matters.
12. Widnes - Another coach who stays in a job despite having not done much. I've never ever rated Betts as a coach. Any team with Kev Brown and Danny Tickle (hope he is on the mend) should have done much better, and yes I know they made the playoffs in year XYZ. Not recruited well and if either of those two players are injured, they will struggle.