Regardless of whether it took a points reduction for the bulls to get us in last year it was only because our first half of the season was so poor due apparently to the team needing time to gel. The frustrating thing is that this season we haven't come close to the level of performances in the second half of last season and that's with a full playing and close season behind the team and no need for gelling.
I don't agree with all this "were operating at a lower cap and are lucky to compete for the playoffs" crap, this team has enough talent and ability to breeze into the top 8 IMO, and the big disappointment for me is that due to either coaching reasons or simply the players mental attitude the commitment hasn't matched the ability for far too many games.

That’s pretty much how I feel about this season Coco, however, with regards to 2015 & beyond I’ve got a feeling the bottom two or three will be ejected purely on next seasons standings.

If it were a level playing field then the RFL should calculate the league places over the length of the licence period & whoever the bottom teams are should be placed in the second division – but it’s not & a straight shoot-out next season would be the preferred option in entertainment land.

Not too sure about breezing but i agree its got enough quality to be higher than it is.

To add to that there wasn't as many teams competing for top 8 and a few taking points off each other e.g. Widnes beating bulls so you will find making 8 could be easier and with less points.

I think the 2 games against Leeds will be really crucial

I personally think the last game of season will be important for the club aswell as getting into the play offs. (Might just be a personal one but I want to finish above our neighbours!!! I want them to finish as low as possible!)

I think it will be great if the last game of the season decides which one of us gets in to the 8. I fear it won't be but it will show some people who think we are both wasting our time without a merger that they need to take notice and shut up.

We would pretty much need to win all 5 home games and at least 1 away game to get into the playoffs IMO.
The 4 away games are: Hull, Leeds, Warrington, Huddersfield - It's going to be a tough ask but it's certainly not impossible yet.

Hull is a big, big game, but Widnes is MASSIVE if we are to maintain a challenge.

Have we signed another player from Wigan?? Must have missed that 1

I still think that with the remaining fixtures and our current position a top 8 is a massive ask from the players we have. If all our players were on form and I look at Ben, Andy and Lee as our main concern, we could perhaps get a win against Leeds on both occasions. Saints are gaining form and Bradford will take some beating. I would love to be proven wrong but for me if we can make 9th it will be a fair finish to the season.

I agree. Top 8 is not impossible but it will take a an upturn in results.

9th spot will effectively be top of the next bunch.
Hull KR seem to have jumped out of our group and Bradford have dropped down but the rest will all have been expecting top 8 and only playing for position. The rest are fighting to get in.
We need to be looking at the top place in that group so that we are in a good position to progress across that divide. We need to be able to beat those teams below us to strengthen that position which on the whole we have done but need to still do so Bradford, Widnes and Cas are big games with that in mind.
Beating Leeds could be a bonus if we are on our game and they are not, and if we want to be seen as top 8 we need to be able to beat Hull and possibly Sts in their current form.
I think we'll end up 9th or 10th and if we do we should celebrate that.