Remember how 5th place is supposedly the best place to win Super League from because it gives you the easiest playoff draw....

You get a home tie against the weakest team in the playoffs to start the playoff series, to get some momentum and form.

Then you go away to the loser of 1st v 4th who either lost because they are running out of steam/suffering injuries or at least are on a psychological downer from their week 1 defeat.

Then if you win that there's a fair chance you are going to be the lowest team in the semi finals on league position and so the one that the Club Call will choose so as to be least controversial. Then you have all the motivation you need because you can pin up on the dressing room wall the fact that you were chosen as Club Call and that will help you get to the Grand Final.

Although Widnes have got a game in hand on us we are now 5th and in pole position for this coveted spot. The main rival will be Hudds who are like us, a once strong team that is out of form a bit. They aren't to be underestimated but I think we could have a good tussle with them to get 5th spot.

And then if we get it could this be the year where with a good playoff draw we finally take the SL crown?

Or us being 5th just shows how poor the super league really is

I expect us to finish 4th. Above Cas and below Leeds Wigan and Saints.

Agreed. It's far beyond tiresome.

I can see Saints and Leeds both dropping further points but not 7 or 8 points we need to make up ground.
Wigan I cannot see dropping points unless Wane plays kids before a CC semi or final and except to perhaps us. I think they'll be nowt between the big four.
After a disastrous start to our season, I see 4th as a very likely finish too.
We are very capable of finish the rest of the season unbeaten and win at Wembley.

Are you saying that you're currently that bad you should be further down the table?

I think it shows nothing more than our bad start.

who ever is top are champions in my eyes...its like winning challenge cup and bragging we are champs...there`ll be some on here who say different...

We don't look anywhere near Castleford's level this year.

I'm sure some expect Cas to implode but even if they hit some sticky form can you see us being relentlessly consistent and claw it back or will we still intermittently lose games and never get enough momentum.

Our best chance to damage Cas will be in the playoffs. You never know how Cas will react to the pressure of playoffs as they haven't been there before. They might go two losses and out in the playoffs, which would fit with the scenario I described at the start of the thread. We will beat someone like Hull KR or Catalans in week 1 and then go to Cas in week 2 with them feeling the pressure.

That would all things being considered represent a decent season for us: if we can make it to the Challenge Cup semis, and the semi final week of the playoffs, considering the players we have lost it will have been a good effort, and its not unachievable.

The hard part would be the semis. We are bound to be Club Call and I have a nasty feeling it will be Leeds Club Calling us, so we will be relying on Leeds losing their bottle in the playoff situation.....that's where I think we are going out.

Look at our front row and look at the rest of the teams in Super League and tell me with a straight face that it is going to go unbeaten.

Agreed we need a prop.

So long as TS goes Ratchford and Bridge at hb then their presence and threat will offset some of that lack in forward depth as it is doing now.

Until Wood can get back with his papier mache shoulder holding out, if we lose one of these half effective props, Unfit England and AsItEasi before Woody gets back then we could be shafted. If they stay fit we win.

I have every confidence in Ratchford and Bridge. They are the form partnership this month whether some of us like it or not.
I wouldn't swap either of them for any hb currently playing in SL. Although I'd swap a couple of props because that would send us up another level again.

Luke Walsh is head and shoulders better than Bridge

Strong, shiny hair will only get you so far.

And that was all too evident at the Magic Weekend. Walsh an Hohiah (sp) really bossed our backs!!!