New coach
Clear out of some players not performing
Hungry players coming in

Coach assessing whole squad playing everyone over several weeks, we have settled and by the first game almost a fully fit squad with some big guns ready to play like Ali, Locke if the rumours are true, Godinet etc. A number of players have come right out of their shell under Smith as coach and he is no mug. I accept winning breeds winning and losing the opposite but we will see if all the stuff done behind the scenes come to fruition. I thought the change of coach came too late but I don't think it was reflecting on the performances from then to now.

Seen them get smashed against Castleford recently and to be honest they still dont look that good in my opinion. Their forwards are not the best and Scott Moore is a loose cannon, and McShane is better than him. Not a great swap deal to be honest.

Wow...

Excited, nervous, apprehensive, even terrified *maybe a little*.
Never has the end of the season meant so much, well not since 2004/5 anyway.

My prediction FWIW.

Hull KR
Widnes
Salford (all automatically retain SL status)

Leigh or Bradford v Wakefield ( £ Million match)
Let's not be too surprised if either -
A) All SL teams retain SL status or
B) Bradford take 4th spot.

Both Halifax & Sheffield to take a SL scalp each.

Of course I hope & pray that this Leigh team & the fans & directors are rewarded for a spectacular 2 seasons.


Come On Leigh.

I expect Salford, Hull KR and Widnes to all finish in the top 3 with Leigh battling it out with Wakefield for the final spot.

At first glance, Leigh' fixtures might seem a little tough but I think you're playing Hull KR and Widnes at the perfect times which is a huge advantage.

I'd say there isn't much between Widnes and Hull KR, so let's put them at 1 and 2 in the final standings.

Then I'd suggest there isn't much between Leigh and Salford. The only real difference could be attitude and mentality. The game at Salford will be massive and I am actualy looking forward to that one more than Leigh vs Hull KR.

Wakefield will have to find something special quickly; and I am not so sure they can do that.

Bradford are a funny one. Might turn up, might not. They didn't do as well in the Championship as many thought they would.

Sheffield and Halifax could well spring a surprise or two. And if they do it early enough then it'll really make for an interesting Qualifiers.

Interesting that you don't think there is much between Widnes and Hull KR, yet Salford have played both teams recently and beaten one and lost to the other by 1 point (despite leading by 10 points with 10 minutes to go!).

It was more of a brief summary for argument's sake. And to prompt a possible response.

I actually don't think there is a massive difference between Hull KR, Widnes, Salford and Leigh.

I would agree with that, which is why I expect those teams to be in Super League next season. I am looking forward to seeing how Leigh react to playing consecutive Super League teams in a league format, rather than the getting themselves pumped up for an 80 minute knock out game.

I hope Paul Rowley sticks by his word and continues to adopt the same attacking approach, as it will make for some great games.

I think that says it all,as shown you can all compete against each other in the bottom of SL. Climbing to next level of SL as been the problem. The question? still remains what level you are actually at and are the Championship sides in the mid 8's at the same level.

The other big imponderable is the quality & style of the refereeing. SL speed ptb &offside? Championship speed?
Discipline is massively important. A 2 match ban picked up in the first game will mean that player misses 1/3 of the remaining games. No coach will be impressed by that!

Widnes
Hull KR
Salford
Leigh V Wakey in the million game
Bulls
Sheffield
Halifax

Hopefully Widnes will already be safe and they won't give stuff. Actually i hope we will be safe at that point

If Leigh play to the full potential for 80 minutes I think we'll surprise a few.
No such thing as a given as I also think Sheffield will shock a few given how they play when it comes to Play off RL.
Too difficult to call which is exactly what sport should be all about.