It seems that amongst the wider RL community, due respect is given to us and how we've shown that the licensing system can work. This hasn't always been the case from the pundits who gloss over our record - with a few exceptions. It has been frustrating as a fan (trying to convert people to the game) seeing the RFL flit from one idea to the next. The jury is still out on the Super 8's. I'm hoping that this formula works and we can stick with it.

From the RFL: 'The fundamental purpose of the new structure is to make Rugby League’s professional competitions more exciting, by restoring promotion and relegation in a sustainable manner.'

Let's hope so...

Problem is that they have just cut down to 12 teams so we can hardly say that any of the 12 are in the comfort zone. If karl Kirkpatrick was still around and did a couple of our middle 8 games (If we end up there) we would have been really struggling.

I think Wire, Wigan, Saints and Leeds are definitely in the comfort zone with Huddersfield not far behind and Salford could well be up there to this time.

I think one area Widnes are strong in is team morale, most of the squad have been together a number of years now and we have no big egos, while this won't neccessarly win you a match it helps when times are tough. I think we'll be as usual pretty tough to beat at home and once again much will depend on how we travel. Should we finish in the bottom 4 which is a high possibility then i won't be panicking, i think we have enough about us to bounce straight back from the split.

I think the home wins v Warrington,Saints and Wigan helped give a false impression.There were those 'silly' home defeats to Cas,Wakefield and that almighty spanking from Hull.Can't afford daft home losses this year.

We should have an advantage in terms of cohesiveness in the early games, but they are a tough set of fixtures, so we need to find a few wins early on. Wigan tend to be slowish starters, so there may be a chance in our opening game. We need to break our duck against Wakey too. Hard to see us winning at Leeds or Hudds, based on past performances, depends if we get a roll on. Maybe both Wigan and Saints will have a weather eye on the World Club Challenge series of games, lets hope so!