Yup,we'll beat Wakey and lose too Fax.

Its going to be like 7 grand finals, if, no when we get into sl, the intense nature of the middle 8 will stand us in good stead for whats to come re SL. Bring it on

Hi - Cas Tigers fan here. The middle 8's do look very intreguing and I would bet these games are more exiting than the top 8 games that are IMO an extension of the usual 23 game program.

Out of interest - how many points/wins would you think would be needed to get into SL ? How many points/wins for the million pound game ?

Good luck Leythers.

Whilst the likes of Widnes, HKR, (or Hull?) Salford, and even Wakefield should be fancied for positions 1-4, they will obviously take points off each other. So, if we were to beat a couple of them and then beat Bradford, Sheffield and Halifax (none of which will be easy) we should go up.

London didn't change my opinion, it was clear we had a real off day while London played excellently, seem to remember one London fan saying it's the best he'd seen them play for about 3 years. Though the way we've played against Sheffield, Warrington & Featherstone has, I now think we could finish in the top 3 and avoid the million pound game. Yes it'll be the toughest test we've faced for decades but this is also the best team we've had. Yes the SL clubs get a lot more money to spend but as Salford show it doesn't matter how much your team costs but how they play together. We know we can beat Salford, Wakefield, Bradford, Sheffield & Fax, honestly think the million pound game will be Salford V Wakefield.

And don't for get we always beat Widnes.

So you don't think you will be in SL next season?

If we start well in the 8's then I believe we'll challenge for a top 3 place. The lads need to draw on their excellent cup run and the fact that they have only lost [itwice[/i all season. Outstandingly, the Centurions have only been beaten 4 times in two seasons!!! I think a lot of folk do not appreciate just how good that record is, no matter what level or opposition.

This winning mentality that is running through the club will be an advantage in the 8's because none of the other 7 clubs can match it. Bradford came close but they've dropped off of late.

Add to that the way Leigh play; and the fact that we've built a strong squad, then nobody will look forward to playing us.

In short, if Leigh believe, have the right attitude and prepare well, then there's no obvious reason why they can't gain promotion.

Wow hold on there speedy, whilst you did beat us in the cup, that doesn't mean you will automatically beat us in middle 8s. A factually correct statement would be, "you know you have narrowly beaten Salford".

Whilst your ability to move the ball wide will cause any team problems, for 80% of that cup match our forwards were completely dominant. The fact we lacked a competent half back to get us round the park had a massive effect on the result. That said, we were poor with our attacking play, but if the Wigan performance can be reproduced, then we should take the points off you. Especially if we learn to combat your running the ball on the sixth tackle.

For what it's worth, I believe you will make it into super league, but you'll be playing Wakey in the million pound game. You're good side that should hold it's own in SL, but confidence is a funny thing, and what happens to that amazing team spirit when you've lost a few?

Also, I'd love to see you give Widnes a spanking. Good luck for the rest of the season.

Total agree with this, we are by far the most confident and consistent side entering the 8’s, and although you could argue that the SL teams play big games week in week out, our cup run shows we can handle the big occasions.

And although everyone will be out to put us in our place, no one with relish playing us, they won’t have use down for a guaranteed two points and know they’re going to have to be at their best or we will turn them over, and tickle their bellies.

True, no one automatically has the right to beat anyone, all depends on the day. There's no doubting the quality of Salford's team but the days when that all comes together are few and far between. Yes Salford's forwards dominated but our forwards have improved since then, Hock's gone from being unfit & underperforming to playing the best rugby I've ever seen him play.

I don't think confidence would drop too much if we loose, after the London loss (& a wet, windy, scrappy game at Mount Pleasant) we trounced Sheff 58-18, after the Warrington loss we went up to Workington for what Paul Rowley called our best & most complete performance of the season. We've hit a very good run of form at just the right time, if we keep it up I still think we can beat Salford again (will no doubt be a very close & entertaining game though) & claim a top 3 spot.

Thanks, it'll be good to get to SL and have some away trips to Lancashire clubs like Salford. And we have missed spanking Widnes.

It was slightly tongue in cheek making reference to your traditional form tables of which Fax would currently be top. I thought the smileys after my post may have given that away.

Agreed! With every team starting on 0 and there being so few fixtures, every game in the Middle 8s will be like a cup final. It's going to be very close. Honestly don't care who wins the Grand Final.