All of the bookies agree so they must all be unrealistically optimistic too. Such arrogance from our lowly club to believe we stand a chance at home against the unstoppable might of Castleford.

Personally I think we will lose but that's mostly because my brain doesn't believe in optimism.

If we play to our potential we will win but consistency has been our problem for years now.

The players (and some fans) must not be complacent or over-confident. If we lose it will be a big reality check. If we then lose to Wigan too it will be back to the usual doom and gloom.

Oh mate do you really think that comment was me calling us 'mighty and unstoppable'? We are talking about a Cas fan here, fans who's seen more drubbings, nillings and relegations than the fair majority. This bubble could burst at any time.

A club with your funding, fan base and stadium is never 'lowly'! Cream always rises to the top, which is whats happening with you this season, however it is still unfair to write us off after a few good games on your end. We'll see what happens.

Ha. Sorry, I over did the sarcasm there.

I don't think anyone should be writing you off but I can see why some fans would be feeling optimistic. I think the 8 to 10 start bookies are giving you is about right and reflects home advantage and our form.

I think Michaels gets unfair criticism at times.
His defence is very good as are his carries.If Micheals is put in the clear there are not many will catch him.
The problem we have on the right edge is not Michaels its the long cut out pass which both Salford and Catalans used.Unfortunately we have Pryce defending next to Logan and they both jump the line at times which creates the space and leaves the winger with little option.
I dont think Michaels struggled against against Richards at all but just who would have stopped him 2 metres from the line with a clear run.

The difference is they should be playing an a dry pitch which suits their style so will be dangerous.
That said we should be too strong for them.

I think people forget our forwards are not just big but also very mobile and Fit

reading some of the posts on their other forum, i think it is their fans who are over confident, must have helped playing the two weakest teams in the league to start off!

whoa there! its one posters opinion not the opinion of all our fans! look at any forum prior to a game and it will be fun of fans who think their team will win. nothing wrong with posters being confident and optimistic. no doubt plenty of cas fans feel the same about their team. based on the evidence so far you have started pretty well, though when you look at the games so far we have:
cas draw with rovers
cas beat wakey easily
wakey beat rovers

topsy turvy at best

personally i think its too early to draw too many conclusions about form, effect of recruitment etc (i prefer to wait until around the 10 game mark). however with home advantage i think we'll win a pretty close and exciting game

That would be my post on Casforum. I wasn't really thinking about our previous two games, more the previous two seasons, during which time our defence has been significantly better than Salford's and Catalans'. That might change this year, but I doubt many would argue otherwise at the moment.
I think the game could go one of three ways. Both teams are capable of getting away to a dominant start, and if either team gets momentum and turns it into points we could see the game finished as a contest by half time. Alternatively, it could be very close at half time. If this is the case I think Cas will edge it with the experience of winning tight games in the second half regularly last year ( though we did mess up at KR).
It's an interesting test for Crooks. Don't be surprised if we play Webster on Pritchard's side to add some size and strength there rather than Crooks. Our pack is certainly not going to roll over ( I hope) and Mike McMeekan has been massive in defence for us so far this year, he'll certainly go after Pritchard and Ellis with some aggression.

Yeah I bet Pritchard and Ellis are having nightmares about facing THE Mike mcmeekan...

Well as a Cas fan I think and hope it will be a cracking game, I can see that you and Warrington are looking good for this year and think we will all be pushing the top four. As for Thursdays game you've hit the ground running and I think you will probably have too much for us , we had a bad start , a draw at KR and the loss of Shenton for the season , we were good in spells against Wakefield but we still have work to do ! As for you lot getting too big for your boots ! If we had that start to the season I would expect you lot to be shaking in them boots LOL.

I doubt they are. However, if they take your dismissive attitude they are in for a serious shock. McMeekan has been outstanding in the tackle towards the back end of last year and even better at the start of this season (albeit we are only two games in).
He is still very young, if he continues to develop he is going to be a top drawer forward and you underestimate him at your peril.

Why would the ultra professional Pritchard and Ellis take my dismissive attitude? You were the one who said he would 'go after' them?..As for Webster as a defensive rock...Jesus!