Who were favourites last season?

Agree with a lot Winslade's, and to be fair with the departing players we won no silverware last year, so the changes can only get better (IMO)

At the start of the season I think it was Wigan with us as 2nd favourites. The bookies were right in that Wigan won the 2 major comps and we reached the G/F & in my opinion would have won if it were not for 2 injuries during the game. We also made the semi of the CC.

Last season the Bookies were spot on in making Wigan favourites & us 2nd favourites.

Last season before a ball was kicked warrington were favs in hills and betfred

I reckon Leeds target with the ageing squad is to win the challenges cup.

Warrington's best target looks the grand final

Right and from 5th and all, yes imagine all the uproar if that happenned. I agree we shouldn't even try and get back to Wembley and win the cup we've no chance too many challenges

I'm just catching up with the Sky Review of last season (it's very good, better than previous versions, although whether I'll watch the last 20 minutes or not, I've not yet decided). However, as you rewatch last season, it's so obvious that Wigan, Warrington, Huddersfield, Leeds and St Helens are the five teams who are going to be battling it out for the places in the Grand Final and I see no reason why this year will be any different.

I didnt say warrington shouldn't try to win the cc Rico!?
Personally given a choice I'd take the cc over all competition every time.

I do think Leeds can will all competitions this season and settled class side of ageing players wont hinder them unless they suffer injuries.

Pound for pound 1-13 leeds stand out as the best.
Saints look 2nd best.

Betfred have us at 13/10 to win either the LLS, the CC or the Grand Final.

I agree with every word Getdownmonkeyman has just posted.
Any of Hudds, Pies , Leeds , Wire and Saints could win the prizes this year. It will be interesting.
Us Saints fans are more optimistic due to the fact we have addressed our biggest weakness ie. props , half back and kicking game, a lot will depend on how our very young 3/4 line perform.
Leeds are exact opposite , frightening 3/4 but their best forwards(props) are no spring chicken.
Big ? over how Wire and Wigan will replace the players you've lost -only time will tell.
For me the danger team will be Hudds having the benefit of last year plus a settled set up.
A lot will have to do with injuries - every team has a couple of players they CAN'T afford to lose. The fitness of players like Walsh ,Roby , Brough , O'Loughlin , Peacock , Sinfield , Hill , Higham will have a big effect .

The players who spent the most time in the treatment rooms last season were Briers, Morley and Hodgson. I am hoping our now younger squad will offer more game time per player.

I see that Saints are being tipped to have a big season again this year. Not surprising really with a three-quarter line of Makinson, Turner, Jones, Swift feeding off the distribution of Hohaia at stand-off. That'll take some stopping.

Was it this time last year that Gaskell and Lomax were going to be the half-back partnership to rip SL to shreds and guide England to World Cup Glory?

We'll be better than last season, I'm not sure Wire or Leeds will be though.

Wigan and Hudds the teams to beat for me and I think it'll be an interesting year ahead.

We'll soon find out who'll take some stopping.

The sad thing is, this thread is pretty irrelevant - The whole thing is now based about how good a coach and his back-up staff are at getting their teams peaked for September/October time.

The skill is now about not overusing players, making sure you have enough points to be in a challenging position come play-off time (top 4 or 5), and giving the Challenge Cup a good go.

Is it little wonder that its difficult to get people enthused about the regular season, now it is merely a canter towards the proper race that is play off time?