Do you believe?

Quote: BP1 "Now, I'm a cynical old so-and-so and 40 years of following the club have made me sceptical of over-reacting to a sudden burst of good form. However, even this cynical 50-something so-and-so is increasingly finding it difficult to keep a lid on my increasing excitement as 2016 unfolds.

We look strong and powerful, both physically and mentally, the team spirit is the best it's been in years and the players clearly believe in themselves, individually and as a collective team (witness the last twenty minutes last night).

There is every reason to believe that something special may be about to happen. However (and here comes that warning voice in my head) I've been here before too many times and have seen too many hopes, dreams and aspirations disappear over the course of the last thirty years to be able to fully believe 100%.

We had a similar run to this current one at about this time (post Easter) three years ago and by the end of that season we'd suffered humiliating defeats at Wembley and Huddersfield and despair had set in once more. That scenario has to be qualified by the observation that the current squad is unquestionably better than the 2013 vintage.

So, to answer the original question; do I believe?, well this cynical 50-something so-and-so hasn't been able to fully believe 100% since Wembley 1983 (some scars can run very deep when supporting a team!), but even I can feel a palpable sense of rising excitement within the ranks of the faithful.

Do I Believe? Well let's just say that I'm getting there with each passing week (especially these past seven days) and if I'm starting to think along those lines then everybody else must surely be.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to start a week of feverish praying that this feeling continues until at least the end of the month (and hopefully all the way into October).

Yours Faithfully,
A Cynical 50-something so-and-so.'"

Great post.

One of the biggest positives for me is the number of leaders we have on the field at the moment, players looking to lead from the front. Obviously Ellis is pivotal in this, but we also have Houghton in arguably career best form, Sneyd stepping up and running the plays, and Taylor whose attitude is one of refusing to be dominated. I think the combination of these with Talanoa and Fonua causing problems out the back and a very good blend in the pack means that the group's confidence, individually and collectively, is justifiably high ATM. The whole thing could go to carp at any point of course, but I think fans' confidence is that we've got a strong, fit squad, and are playing cohesively and consistently, not depending on the biggest individuals in the club to create something from nothing like we used to do with Willie Manu, for example. Definitely feels like a more enjoyable season than the last few, so far.