In a nutshell!!

no i don't agree - quite a few tipping us for the 8 again next year.

It's worth remembering that we didn't make the 8 through number of games won. We were actually 9th.
If we were to achieve 8th this year that would be a considerable improvement imho.

But an improvement that is certainly possible with our squad and a good wind.

Don't see why Wakefield would be seen as anything other than top 8 competitors - no major OUT's and a couple of IN's to add to the squad... the squad on paper is deeper than that of last year.

No major injury crisis and there shouldn't be a problem getting in the 8 if they play smart.

That being said, my team on paper haven't got an excuse to finish 13th again - but I wouldn't have a fiver against it lol

Got to say Wakefield, Cas, Bradford, London, Widnes, Hull KR, all have a starting 13 of equal standard. If Salford get the new deal with Peel Holdings taking over then they will improve their playing strength. Any one of the above could make the 8th spot if they keep key players fit and have a happy camp.
Top seven is sorted same as last season, a real battle for 8th. I thought that Catalans could be the only side in last seasons 7 who may, just may not go as well, but they should win most of their home games and with that squad should easily stay in the top seven.
If cas keep Ellis, Chase, Shenton, Webster, Carney, Owen, Dixon fit then they have a great back line, plus Huby, Clarke, Thompson are top forwards. They will be much better this season.
Any of the above could finish 8th or 14th and nobody would be shocked. What would be utterly amazing and is simply not conceivable would be a Wigan, Leeds, Warrington, Saints, Hull, Huddersfield, not making the 8. As said I think Catalans will stay in the 8 but they may not get on with the new coach etc etc

William Hills had us at 100/1 yesterday 10th.

We lost PJ to Hull we have a great addition in Justin Poore but we still need another prop before the start of the season.

Hudds would be the only one of last years top 7 that i could see dropping, based on there form in the 2nd half of last season. This has been a common theme for them over the last 3 years, but if they dont have there usual stong start to the season they could easily drop into the Wakey/Bulls/Cas/KR section of the league.

Nick Rigg on twitter says he has heard one Wakefield player will be leaving in the coming days... will it be the start of the three club centre switch inc Collis? Or is it somebody else?

What makes u think collis would leave?

Rumour floating around the forum yesterday- I have no information, but it seems curious.

It could be one of the young lads who are rumoured to be going to Aus, only speculating!

I heard a rumour it is Wilks, I'm not saying its true, just what I have heard can any one squash that rumour..??

Wilkes to Fev is the rumour doing the rounds. Hope its not true, we already could do with another prop in the squad, that would leave us needing two.

No offense to Fev but he could easily get another Super League gig if he wanted to leave. He made a big impact when he was on the field for us. I'd go as far as to say he was our best prop at times and that is saying something because Raleigh and Amor were consistently very good.

Along with Ellis, Wilkes would be one of the more puzzling departures.