Right then guys, apology's if it's been done already, but how are we all feeling about out chances in 2014?

All of the talk seems to been of how Saints are going to be the team to beat this year. Still seems that we aren't a team fancied for any of the honours this year.

In my opinion we are much stronger unit this season, Antonio coming in will hopefully take some of the pressure off Crabtree and Kopczak. The Warrington play off game to me highlighted just how much work these 2 do, and how much go forward we lose when they are off, in that game when these too came off and Patrick and Taii replaced them warrington began to dominate the ruck, and we seemed to be playing to keep them out rather to score for ourselves. Hopefully rotating these 3 and whoever our 4 prop will be hopefully allows to maintain the intensity for the full 80.

Bailey we are hoping is going to add something else to our attack, and again ease the pressure off Robbo and Broughy. I the tight games we played last year when we chasing the score I think Broughy struggled a bit, he seemed to be thrown the ball in a hurry off 'here do something' and teams shut him down quickly or he panics and chooses the wrong option, i would like to see Robbo act a little more dominate and dictate play this year a little and not leave it all to Danny.

What's everyone's opinion?

yep a few are tipping saints again, just like last season and also writing off wigan..again just like last season!

and we are being forgotten, even though on the face of it we look stronger! thats fine with me, we like to play the underdog, worked well for us last season.

just read a martin offiah piece [urlhttp://www.sportinglife.com/rugby-league/news/article/480/9108618/martin-offiah-tips-warrington-rather-than-wigan-to-win-super-league[/url not a mention of us...but we are not the fashion i suppose.

i really hope we can actually beat warrington this season



agree about us losing the ruck when crabtree and kopczak went off, hopefully kaufusi can help on the area.

and like you say bailey coming in will see us play maybe a different style of rugby... good thing after a great season just gone? adds an extra string to our attack.

one thing is for sure, keep players fit and we will go far.

7/1 the Hubcap, 8/1 Challenge Cup, 9/1 Grand Final so far from being forgotten and think we have to be looking to make at least one of the two finals if not actually winning one.

Would not write off Wigan but are likely to start slowly whether they beat us or not with their trip to Oz and Wire are in transition so will probably not be as good as they have been in recent years unless Ratchford does for them what Brough did for us last season. Leeds will probably be like Wire were last season with the likelihood some of there big names are in their last season at the club and will be there or there abouts when trophies are handed out.

Not convinced with Saints but with other teams possibly stagnating or going backwards they do not have to improved much to get involved,

Think Hull and Catalans are vunerable and their regular top 8 slots are up for grabs. Salford are a play off shoe in I'd say. If Bradford keep it together they will threaten the 8 but my surprise packet would be Cas and whilst the Cup might be their best chance of glory they might sneak in.

My top 8 are

1) Giants
2) Leeds
3) Wigan
4) Saints
5) Wire
6) Salford
7) Cas


Hull

We have strength but we have no one who could be half as affective as Brough.

Lose Brough and we have no real quality cover. Maybe Bailey can fill that role i am not sure.

Lose Brough for even a portion of the season and i would say it is potentially the difference between 1st or 8th.

( other teams are in a similar situation as well) but we are so reliant on Brough it is scary.

Agree, our reliance on Broughy is a concern. That's why I'm hoping that Robbo will step up this year and dictate a bit more, only one game Broughy missed last year was bradford and my god were clueless in that match!

I presume you mean Bradford at home where Grix played 6 not Bradford away where hardly any of the regular first team played?

Yeah bradford at home. My apologies

i agree, its a given that if no brough we have had it!

managed to keep him fit last season, hope for another one

I don't agree we've had it without brough.

This season is likely to be a good one! We are certainly stronger!
Last season we had to mess around with the squad to sort out the halves if they were injured of rested now we have wood who may not have the same quality as brough, however with a full preseason with the lads I am sure he can cover well! Also Bailey can slot into the halves!
Our pack has last year was formidable but with Fielden out for so many games and mullay not making the impact at that point the big packs of other teams could eventually grind us down! Now kafusi has come and is looking fit we have three out and out props and one explosive prop in Patrick with mullay and mason waiting in the wings and fuey, taai able to come in too! Our pack will hopefully match up against the big packs out there!
Aslong as we are competing I don't mind! A final would be nice and to beat wire just once would top it for me!!

prob not if we sign up sammut



will be interesting to see how bailey fits in the team...shame he didnt go out to portugal to train with the lads.

also taai after missing last seasons pre season, but cant be helped

Expecting a lot. Squad better than last Season imo and more experienced. Know Paul Anderson is happy with additions - hope kafuski refinds his Nrl form. He could be immense.

Top 4 mimium for me. Bet on top 2.

We are strong in all areas and still like our centres and second rowers especially. Still a young side too.

That said last year was special. Just want to see the lads compete each week and enjoy the season again.

Many reasons to be very positive. Bring it on.