Not much to go on video wise for SL clubs this season.The Salford game could be the one that tells! Or possibly not.

Think we learned a lot from last seasons failure. We've kept people fresh and have options in personnel and playing style.

Will it be enough - possibly not. Reckon we have the core of a SL team in place, but the week to week intensity worries me

But there's only one way to find out - bring it on!!!!

Intensity,seems to be the word again.SL clubs will believe again,that we will fail due to that word.Most posts you see on other boards base Leigh on last seasons 8's performance,thus think it will be the same this time round.

My point being,last season we where very visual,through media, CC scalps,off the cuff football. SL opposition clubs in the 8's where very aware of how we played before we got there.I dont think they have that this season so the SL teams planning will be based on the Broncos game which isnt televised.

Leigh have had the benefit of seeing the SL opposition all season,our game plans must already be in place to deal with them,unlike the SL opposition.

I'm sure they'll have all signed up to Centurions TV

They'll certainly have a raft of videos, (or whatever the 21st Century equivalent is!) to watch. Perhaps we ought to go back to last season's gung-ho approach, to surprise them? (only joking!)

True,but we perform and play different in each one.

Pretty sure coaches should be able to get hold of footage from any game in any division so I'm sure the SL clubs will be well aware of what they're likely to face against the championship teams.

Based on yesterday's dire performance from Wakefiled who managed 8th, it looks like any of the top 4 championship clubs could have a good crack at a SL team in the Middle 8s. Would be great to see someone promoted this year.

While I think you have a stronger side this season than last, the opposition from SL is also better. Regardless of Leeds season you can't see them dropping down now they've started to play. If you put Salford's points back on they're a top seven side and I think that will show in the 8's. Hudds and HKR are the inconsistent ones from the four SL sides. They can beat anyone on their day but can also not turn up. With survival on the line, I'd think that they will up their games. If Leigh want in that million pound game they'll have to look to beat one of Hudds or HKR to do it. I think Salford and Leeds will be safe.

There's also the possibility that the other Championship sides could be real stumbling blocks.

Of course, it's RL so anything could happen, and I expect that you'll be targeting Salford & Hudds at home as the games you need to win. Should be interesting.

And if Leigh can beat Salford at home,then it changes the whole context of your post.

Plus we have good memories of beating Salford at the LSV last season and when Salford have an off day it can be a real stinker -remember Bradford away last season? Also instability off the field doesn't help- the match against Huddersfield on Sunday will be very interesting!

I'd expect that to be the case,yes. Win those two (easier said than done) and potentially two SL clubs contesting the MPG.Win one,home advantage in the MPG awaits,lose both we will lose home advantage.

Assuming we beat the champ teams of course - our performance on Saturday will set the marker, a good win will do our confidence no harm

Spot on, a poor game Saturday could completely change the positive mind set surrounding the club currently.

We need to approach this game professionally and get the job done. A strong team performance will leave everyone buzzing leading into the Salford match.

This game against London is huge!

I was referring to SL teams.None of this matters should we lose to a championship team,as we won't be going to SL end of.

Last year everyone was so hyped up at, finally, getting a chance to go up after two very impressive seasons during the latter of which we'd already seen off two of the SL teams then set before us and had lived with Warrington for long periods in the Cup too. Furthermore we'd seen off the league challenge of the two teams relegated from SL the season before and, all season, had not lost to any of the KPC teams then in the 8s Expectation was high and predictions wild.

Then the wheels fell off.

A bad start sucked the air out of everyone. Another setback and we were as good as doomed as the fans were now watching the remainder through their fingers. It can't have helped the players as they sought to dispel their own doubts, and the rest is history.

There's a saying that rhymes in German (Geschichte - Gerichte) I can't recall the actual phrase but it amounts to history is guidance. This year there's not the same gungho, neither in the pubs nor on this forum nor, indeed, from the club. It's a little like nervous and partly introspective anticipation. The 8s need to start - and the cherry and whites need to start well. At least it's a day earlier than it might have been.

Go Leythe.......soon (in two senses).