Maybe a few of the following -
Level of commitment, few of the young 'uns getting a game (they might be needed again before the season ends and at least have an idea of what to expect) , got to be a few returnees soon (at least the expectant fathers). Optimism isn't not a feeling I'm often given to (God's sake West Ham are my football team!) but a decent show against an injury affected Saints and 4 points from the Bradford games could give us the shot in the arm we need for the last few weeks.

We will have to beat Bradford (minimum once), Salford, Castleford and Warrington.

Explain.



Why are you optimistic when they have clearly shown they are not good enough yet?



Can't argue with that!

no. 11 th place finish (with rose tinted glasses on)

Can we hang on?

No

On, closer inspection of the run in for those teams I believe are in with the best shout, the French have the easiest run in and should finish 5th. Then it's a foot race between Wire, Castleford, Wakey, us and the goons. No disrespect to Bradford or Hull, I just can't see them getting the run of results they need. Looking at the run ins, if we can get the wounded back and fully fit, then I think we still stand a chance of nicking 6th spot and believe that the Wire game will be a straight play-off for home advantage. So, I may well be looking at flights to Perpignan on the weekend of the 18/19/20 september.
Bristol to Perp, leave Friday, back monday, £10 including taxes
Stanstead perp, same dates £63 all in.......

Looked a lot more committed than in the first half against Wigan, can't speak for Hudds game.

Maybe the youngsters haven't shown they are up to SL thus far but surely they will have learnt more in one first team game than 6 months in the reserves . To be honest I think you might be harsh on Gale and O'Callaghan who i think show signs of promise. The problem with us is the se guys don't get the chance of a run out from the bench when things are going well, they have to be chucked in at the deep end when we have our usual injury crisis. I'm sure someone will prove me wrong but didn't the likes of LMS, TC , Will Sharp, Lamont Bryan and O'Callaghan all make their debuts in these circumstances ie when key players were missing? Perhaps you didn't rate LMS or TC at first but they've become 1st team fixtures and Englnad internationals?

As I said, I'm finding it strange not usually being given to optimism but with the injury list showing most first choice guys should be fit in 1-2 weeks time and some of the young 'uns being blooded, Howell's suspension up in a week as well I'm feeling more optimistic than I would have thought given we've just lost 5 on the spin.

Well you've got 4 easy points off of us to aid your cause.

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this, but on the Quins site, when McDermott was asked if he was confident about making the play-offs, he answered
"100%"
Again, not sure if anyone has mentioned this or not.

If we lose to Bulls then id say no.

wash your mouth out young man
We will have a full squad to pick from apart from Purdham and Clubby (who would have been on the bench IMO).
In the forwards, Bradford a a shadow of their former selves and we should be able to handle them. In the backs, we are far superior if we do the basic right and stop trying to play harlem globtrotter type stuff.
I predict a 20 point win this week and a 10 point win at the stoop the following week.