I have it the other way around. I think Warrington are stronger and look well balanced (apart from at Centre maybe) and Catalans will be stronger with some good experience (to the detriment of their French players however)

I also think Salford will be difficult to play against, as they now have two halfbacks as opposed to last season where they had a maverick who demanded everything to go through him.

If we start to gel (Wire), I can't see any reason why we can't mount a serious challenge for honours.

Our whole season has been pre-defined on the strength of 2 friendlies. Apparently.

The year of the wolf. Again

sorry mate you are dead wrong...Warrington are a lot stronger this year......a lot stronger.

Based on what exactly? A supposedly weaker Leeds team were camped on Warrington's line last night. Add Sinfield as a kicker and this supposedly 'a lot stronger' Warrington side lose the game.

That's the point Tony, he wasn't and we didn't. Without wishing to de rail this thread or put 'words into Exile's mouth' I don't think he was saying that Leeds were weaker that was a previous poster, he was just saying that Wire aren't weaker, we are stronger and highlighted that part of the post.

We have an organiser and top goal kicker again, Gidley did a Sinfield turning a 4 into a definite 6. Sandow has had a pre season maybe a benefit of having some end of season game time. I think we have recruited pretty well all over the pitch, we were missing a few last night that perhaps would be called first teamers, Ratchford, Atkins, Dodds and Harrison and the young lads who didn't let us down last year can hopefully be counted on to contribute with another year under their belts.

We were also poor for large chunks of last year so not much to beat as a comparative.

You're right, Leeds were camped on our line but that was on the basis of self-inflicted loss of possession and penalties, most of which were correct calls. Despite that, they found it almost impossible to breach our defence. Our team ethos looks very good.

Are we stronger? Well, a half back partnership of Gidley & Sandow looks a wee bit stronger than Myler & O'Brien for a start. We have some great youngsters who are a year older and wiser - see Ben Currie's performance last night for example. We have added Mitch Dodds, NRL Grand Finalist to our pack as well as Joe Westerman & Jordan Cox who may turn out to be a great 'under the radar' signing, as well as Tom Lineham who is 10 years younger than Monaghan with a similar try scoring record last year. Daryl Clark underperformed last year (as did many of our players) but has already looked a different player this year in preseason and last night.

We have also uprated our backroom staff so yes, I think we are far stronger based on an objective view of the assets at the clubs disposal.

1 game in and Wire are world beaters and Leeds are has beens

Warrington were very good, well drilled in defence and look to have a play or 2 in attack. After the experience of the new format last season I think all teams with aspirations of old trafford are aiming to be very quick out of the blocks and get that platform into the season. Gone are the days of easing your way in and pushing harder towards the end.

Warrington, the way they came out with the robust defence and line speed look like they want to really attack the season early. Last season Leeds started off the back of an early playoff exit the prior year and a long pre season, so really hit the season hard and fast. I see similiarities in warrington with how last season went and how they played last night.

Sandow looks very dangerous, and most of all he seems to be someone who will just play what's in front of him (see the penny try) rather than sticking doggedly to a rigid structure.

It's going to be interesting to see how the other contenders go, I'm expecting them all to really go big and try and gain that early season advantage, which is so important now.

rather than a prediction here's my take on the positions of each club compared to last time out
cas - about the same
catalans - slightly weaker
hudds - weaker
hull fc - stronger
hull kr - weaker
leeds - weaker
salford - stronger
saints - stronger
wakey - stronger
warrington - stronger
widnes - stronger
wigan - about the same

I don't think KR are weaker than last season, We start in a similar vein, we lack two big experienced enforcing props, last year they went before playing a game through injury/personal troubles & have not been replaced.They are just not to be had (with our budget) or we would have signed them. Our star playmaker & first choice hooker are still recovering from injury. Not yet proved but our backs especially in the centres have improved. It will all depend on how our second string players go as we do lack experience outside the starting 17. But I will keep the faith as always.

I'd like to think we (Wigan) are or will be stronger. If Sam Tomkins produces anything like his best form when he returns then we'll undoubtably be in better shape then last year. A signing for us who has flown under the radar is Willie Isa as well. He was superb on Friday night and adds competition to a strong back row.

Add in the extra years experience the likes of Williams, Manfredi and Gildart have got and I'm confident we can improve on last year.