no to dane Nielsen - he was rubbish for the dragons this year

The club can prepare for the 8s and with the addition of a centre be in a much stronger position.

If Jordan Tansey is the answer. What was the question? Surely it wasnt who can we get to strengthen the centrs for the middle 8s!

I think Jordan could play in the centre and not let anyone down. Could it be that the players who have normally played have been put on the back burner by Smith because they are not up for it .

Or it could be that he is having a look at his entire squad including his new signings before the start of the Middle 8 competition. Only concern I'd have is Scott Anderson who has not played since the bad concussion. Hopefully it's not a Lance Hohaia situation..

I certainly think he could and he wouldn't let anyone down.
Think about the progression of one of the best 2nd rowers we've seen in the lat 10years, Gareth Ellis, and then there's Ben Weswood. There are close comparisons to be made between Jordan and Ben Currie at Warrington too.

I said a few weeks ago that the centre position was the root of our problems in both attack and defence, alongside having a full back that could link out wide when we're attacking.

Looking at the fixtures I reckon it will finish like this:

Widnes
Hull
Salford
Wakefield

Leigh
Bradford
Sheffield
Featherstone (Halifax maybe)

That means we would play
Widnes, Bradford and Featherstone at home
Hull, Leigh, Salford and Sheffield away

Having Widnes at home is important in my opinion.
We shouldn't be frightened of anyone, but I'm happy we can beat 5 of them which would put us in a good chance of 3rd.
We certainly need to beat the Super League teams as Leigh are going to upset everyone and Bradford are a bit unknown.

If Hull KR slip up though and let Widnes take 8th spot, it could be conceivable that 4 v 5 could be Hull v Hull KR.
That would be even bigger than our "million pound game" against Cas.

Agreed about timing of the fixtures, KR being in the cup could hinder them. Playing a mid week game last week, they may not get a week off like other teams, could be a fatigue factor in there. However i expect them to be OK. Don't think Leigh or Bradford will tire out, both full time plus we get a week off before the 8's start, then another week off for the CC final.

Said it on our board, it's cliche but we have to take it a week at a time. I think the top 6 are all capable of beating each other. With the desperation of all the teams, if a team isn't on their game, they'll lose. Even the fourth championship team could be difficult. Fax would love nothing more than to beat the Bulls, similarly Fev with you guys. We got pumped by Fev as we just weren't at the races. Have to be switched on every game.

Personally think Widnes are one of the most vulnerable. Especially now Brown's crocked. Smith seems to have really added some steel to you guys. A lot of rugby to be played over the two months. Will certainly be interesting and unpredictable!

I agree wrencat1873, I think the Championship sides will fade over the rounds of fixtures. Particularly 3rd and 4th from the Championship. Initially adrenaline and enthusiasm will die down once they find out how tough it is.

I'd really want Widnes at home (they don't travel well and it will queue another pointless rant from Betts). I'd also like Leigh at home as I think home advantage would be a big plus, although I think we'll be good enough to see them off come the match.

Hull v Hull KR in the 4th v 5th decider is a scenario I just can't see happening, not this year anyway.

The Hull thing wont happen.
The bottom 4 in SL will be (in reverse order) Wakefield, Widnes, Salford and one of the Hull clubs.
Widnes, without Brown could really struggle but, Salford, when Sheens starts to have some influence, could be quite strong in the 8's

The RFL's tag line "every minute matters" may actually start to be accurate, up to now it's been nonsense.

I was pleased to see Hull KR in the semi of the cup, and I was hoping for the same for Widnes for the same reason: it might disrupt their end of season. Wembley for Rovers would help us immensely. They'll suffer the week before and the week after and they are now missing Terry Campese. Albert Kelly is good, but a bit off the cuff. A bit like Rangi: if you can take him out of the game, you've got a fair chance.

Salford could do well. Widnes? Are they fading slightly? Will they miss Brown? Damn right.

What we can't do is blow a game against a Championship side. We need to snuff out their game in the first half and then compete for the second.

I have a feeling that we have got the timing right. Pita taking a four-week rest is timely. Whether it's right that we should survive after finishing so far behind the rest of the pack is a debate for the RFL. My view is that would be nonsense if the 9th place team went down because they ran out of decent personnel after putting in a proper stint in the regular season. We, on the other hand, could be the equivalent of the marathon runner who gets the bus for the first fifteen miles.

It's how the RFL wanted it though.

Very true Slugger. If we go down everyone else will not bat an eyelid and say we deserved it.

If a Hull club or Widnes go down people will be crying blue murder, saying what an injustice it is. Yet we've played per the rules as they are set out so we all know what we are getting into.

If Salford go down then crikey knows what loudmouth will have to say about it. He'll be spitting feathers as he'll want his marque player - are they allowed in the Championship?

Don't agree, I think Owen is coming into his own a bit this season - Fox was well past his sell by date when he left and I reckon we made the right call.

Who knew that Hall would be as bad as he has been as well? Mathers was very frustrating at FB and I think most were glad to see the back of him.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

I think most of us were delighted at the signing of Hall two games into the season. However much like Mathers he struggles with the defensive side of his game so being full back at Wakefield was always going to be a challenge for him! Similarly with Locke, looks great in attack, few question marks remain over his defensive ability, however he did make a cracking cover tackle in the second half of Hull FC at home so he could be a great acquisition!

With Brian Smith at the helm I'm quietly confident we'll do what needs to be done in the 8's, but it wouldn't be Wakefield if we didn't do it the hard way so I'm not expecting plain sailing. If he can get the best out of the likes Tim Smith, Ali, Godinet etc then we should be playing SL next season!