Hull's pack is strong, so I'm not having a pop, but Leeds have:

Props - Peacock, Leuleuai (sp?), Bailey and Luke Burgess.
Hookers - Buderus and Diskin.
Back row - Eastwood, Lauititi (again sp?), JJB, Sinfield. Plus Ablett and Kirke, then Pitts and Amor (iirc).

You could make an argument for Hull having more depth, but Leeds are ahead on quality.

But with the lads that came in late last season we can class them as new it was not the pack that let us down it was the need to get over the try line and when we did it was choke off on a lot of games last season so with long and the extra beef and the class players we have. Just need a bit of look to with injuries and yes we can beat them and be at the top off the league

more like ahead on look fridays game come to mind

Only Hame who so far hasnt done a thing. I really hope im wrong and everyone is right when they say we'll finish top 4 but i really cant see it. We'll finish 7th/8th imo.

Why try to pull down the team before they have kicked off, we have a well balanced team with the potential to go far, come and have the faithfull get behind the team yes i know its hard after reasent seasons but we have never looked so good [size=200BELEIVE[/size

It's always difficult to predict with accuracy before seeing a few games, but I'm confident of making the 8 and if we do OK for fitness we should be capable of 6th place. Anything higher would be a real bonus IMO.

Our pack did not fare too badly last year to be honest but the lack of ideas in the backs meant we struggled to score no matter where we were on the pitch.
We have already seen glimpses of what we are capable of this season in the friendly against Rovers a bit more cohesion between the players and we will score plenty.

We actually saw players backing up the runner in that game and but for a couple of dropped balls here and there we could well have scored a few more in that game. It does help the forwards when they have players backing them up and looking for the offload in the tackle last season that was sadly lacking.

We also have the option of a good kicking game this year and Calderwood has proved he will chase anything if you give him the chance and i am sure the other winger/centres will be just as eager when they know a decent kick is going to be the result a lot of the time.

We also have leadership on the field and from more than one player as well.

If people cannot be optimistic now when can they be optimistic.

I don't expect us to be world beaters but hell i am relishing the fact that i believe this team we have now will put everything into each and every game and not just turn up.

Roll on Saturday

Well said that man. There is also no better time to be playing saints away in my opinion. Rather now then the back end of the season.

thats why he siad strongest and now best

Meanwhile on the other hand i've only watched one pre-season friendly. And we showed plenty of punch. On paper we have an immensley tough and strong pack. Which backs up my previous statement. Meanwhile we won all of our pre-season friendlies. What about you?

Which 5 will be above us then?

1. Leeds
2. Saints

Below this it's going to be tight, but:

Catalan
Wire
Bratfud (if Orford stays fit)
Hudds

Three from those four.

Hopefully I'm being overly pessimistic.



Then again, that's what I thought last season when I predicted a mid-table finish.