On the surface it appears to have been a reasonable year. 6th place finish, Wembley appearance, at least one play-off win. These were probably targets for most of us in February.

And yet it is difficult to escape a feeling of underwhelming achievement, possibly a knock on effect from a deflating atmosphere post Wembley.

For me personally, whatever the cold facts say, there is still no sign of the great leap forward. We still look like a mid table average side who occasionally beat one of the big boys, rather than being one of the big boys who the rest of the competition fear and respect.

Our recruitment thus far for next year doesn't point to any great change in our fortune with a feeling of "more of the same" for 2014. We still appear to be treading mid table water where we have basically been since 2006.

2013 could certainly have been a good deal worse, but after all the talk and hype of last winter it really didn't inspire in the way most were hoping for.

Agree, that is why I've got my finger out and bought a season ticket for 2014 for the first time since 1986.

It's the OTT nature of what people are/were saying that prompted this thread. No-one thinks or is saying this is a good or great season in comparison to our better years. But in some people's minds that therefore means it's the worst for years. It's not. It's the best season we've had in 6-7 years.

Basically, whilst we know there are flaws, some people really need to get a bloody grip!

This.

Well said on the OP, Wellsy.

I think we have been bang average. Started awful, finished awful with some outstanding performances in the middle. The frustrating thing is we know we can turn ANY team over on our day just them days are far to infrequent. Would of taken 6th and a Wembley appearance at the start of the season but certain performances ie Leeds at home leave me feeling short changed when backed up by St Helens at home.

The attendance last night told the story of what fans think of our season. Performances haven't been good enough on the whole

I do think the club's PR and marketing machine sometimes raises fans' expectations unrealistically by over-hyping everything and making promises which the players are unable to deliver. Its very successful at selling tickets and merchandise but the fans end up being disappointed when the product on the pitch fails to live up to expectations. Maybe its time to tone down things a bit?

The style of rugby is what as disappointed me this year, for the first time in years we have decent halfbacks and some exciting young backs and we still play too much one out rugby.

We are desperate for soe tackle busters in side.

Well said!.

It's the poor Challenge cup performance in particular that has left a sour taste in people's mouths.

I actually think we will beat hudds on Thursday.
then anything could happen.

Good post Wellsy. We're all rather downbeat from Wembley, but lets not forget that we actually got there (only 2 teams can do that). We've finished in the playoff positions and won our first round. Its the basis of a good team and what's happening away from the first team really excites me. we've got a great academy setup with some real talent waiting to make their mark. The average age of players in our club is very low, which suggests that we should have great continuity over the next few years.
I think the future of our club is in great hands and I'm really looking forward to great things to come.

Still not convinced by our coach

I agree,

Personally,I look at the performances on the field,instead of the final position in the League table.

Since last season, our performances have 'flatlined', no real improvement from last season.

Defensively, we are in the top 3 teams, Offensively, we are in the bottom 3 - IMO.

My opinion,is we have improved defensively, offence is static, I dont feel Gentle has the capability to change our attack.
I would be more optimistic, if we could see any 'green shoots' appearing in our attack structure, but the same old problems are not been addressed nor improved.

I feel we are in the same situation as we were under Peter Sharp, albeit with an excellent youth set-up.

Good post. IMO it's been a poor SL season proven by Huddersfield finishing top after being 7th last season. leeds, wigan and saints have all been garbage at different parts of the season and wire seem to have had less focus on the league and now seem up for the play offs (They'll win it IMO). We've only really finished 6th because 6 clubs had no chance of finishing above us and rovers and les cats have had mediocre seasons. Some of our performances have been unacceptable IMO and to lose 6 from 13 at home is really bad. gentle has probably spawned himself the first 1/3rd of next season with a play off win against a poor cats side but don't think he'll see out next season

Yes I agree it would be far better for the chairman to tell everyone the team are $h1te and he expects us to win nothing and struggle all season. I can see that working