We had some lovely times discussing the Middle 8s and the rest of the league generally last year so seeing that we're currently in 8th what can be the harm in starting early?

Saints look like they're going to be the clear frontrunners and have some real power in the pack which IMO has been their Achilles heel in recent seasons, think they're really going to take some stopping.

Beyond that though, not much has been surprising in the opening rounds. Leeds and Wigan grinding things out, Wakefield continuing their good form of last season, Catalans and Rovers looking like a team from last year's MPG and a newly promoted side respectively. The rest of much of a muchness.

Big game against Warrington IMO. If we have any serious ambitions of top 4 it's practically a must win as Leeds, Wigan and Saints highly likely to be Top 3. Hope Kelly's OK and Sika's back as we need both.

Will be interesting. Widnes will trip up a few teams, especially on their pitch, if they can keep their first choice players healthy.
Catalan are a real conundrum. Got the talent, but they just can't find a coach to harness it.
Injuries and squad depth will play a large part in what ultimately happens.
Dobbins will be fine, as they have a wizard in charge. Apparently.

if we lose Friday making top 4 is going to be made more difficult, we won't be in the m8s though, that's typical defeatist talk. 12 losses got us 3rd last year.

No way bottom 4. I know Leeds and Wires would have been saying the same in recent years but they started those seasons terribly. We have been mediocre but the games we have lost have been Wigan and Cas away with mitigating circumstances in both. Nothing to worry about yet. Next 4 are very winnable (with Leeds' current injury concerns and avarage form). Do that and we will probably be top 2.

Wakefield win their first four. Looking very good so far.

They couldnt have asked for 4 kinder fixtures tbf, but then you can only beat whats in front of you.

I still see Wakefield as comfortable top 8 but not quite true contenders. Maybe I will change my mind if they turn Wigan over next week though.

Really not the year to be in the middle eights. Four strong teams in the Championship in London, Toulouse, Featherstone and Toronto. A couple of tough away games for the teams finishing in 11th and 12th in Super League.

Indeed, can see SL teams having a real fight on. Need to try and avoid at all costs.

I have a feeling this might be the first year that 2 SL teams drop.

I think if two from London, Toronto and Toulouse got up the powers that be would be fine with that. I do think if the RFL are relocating to Manchester though there'd be an appetite to retain a team in that area if Salford are threatened with the drop/bankruptcy.

The two I had in mind were Catalans and Rovers. Salford will be middle 8's but I think they have enough quality to just stay out of trouble. Maybe Catalans will buck up if and when McNamara gets the bullet, but they are dross just now.

That is of course unless the goal posts are moved after the season has already started by the RFL and that the teams involved in the scrap against relegation aren't on their hit list of sides that they want out of SL

14 teams in Sl will be announced shortly after for the 2019 season

Has Grudgell got the appetite to keep propping up a super league team?

If we had a 14 team league would we still have super and middle 8s? It would mean 2 extra games which would be hard on the players.