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Quote: AJ Viking "No one knows, it's all guess work.

2007 we started like a house on fire until the Northern Rail Cup win and we disappeared. Halifax did it 2 years ago when Barrow won it. Everyone mentioned will be in the mix, although it seems Fax and Fev have lost key players and Widnes and Leigh haven't. Leigh's strength is their coach, as much as I don't like the guy, his rugby league knowledge isn't bettered by many, their squad has stayed together and been added to.

Widnes have started very well under a new coach, defended well in games against Crusaders and Featherstone (Leigh have conceded a few against everyone but Sheffield) and more importantly have kept key players, especially Thackeray who looked like leaving at some stage last year. Adding more game time for the likes of Allen, adding Finnegan, l'Anson, Sculthorpe (if fit) Ropati and the emergence of younger players, Craven, Gore, Lunt etc. it seems like we're set up for a decent year, just depends whether the coach can get the best out of them, our main problem for years.'"


I think there was slightly more to it than that though AJ. Who knows how that season would have ended had the players been paid properly throughout the season and without the threat of administration hanging over the club once Vaughn pulled out.

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I'm feeling very positive this year with the squad that has been assembled. I think we went about it in a very understated way but there appears to be genuine ability all over the park and quite a bit of depth in the squad.
SH has been the one position that for a while we have struggled with. I'm hoping that l'Anson can keep fit and make the position his own or that the younger players like Gilmore and Gore can push for a place.

Very few games under anyone's belt yet but the signs are promising that Betts has them well drilled and disciplined.
I'm going for a run to one of the top two positions.
As for who finishes where else? I have absolutely no idea, but I don't expect Leigh to drop away as poorly as they did towards the end of last season if they can keep Millward. Shaun looks certain to leave the Willers very shortly and Salford will be looking around for a new coach!

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Quote: Brenio "My predictions for the year

Leigh (good attacking style)
Fev (not many will win at the Big Fellas)
Widnes (hopefully an injury free season but still bringing thru alot of youth)
Fax (the older heads at Fax are another year older and that little bit slower)
Batley (seem to be going from strength to strength)
Barrow (will be in CC1 within the next 5 years)
Sheffield (kings of the bonus point)
Dewsbury (Branbini in a very good SH and will win them a few games this season)
Toulouse (will only just stay up due to home form)
York (dont appear to have the sqaud to survive)
Hunslet (see above)

Leigh to win the NRC
Fev to win the GF
Widnes Promoted
Swinton and Keighley Promoted from CC1'"




i played against hunslet the other day in the challenge cup and no offence to them teams like fev, fax, widnes etc should put 40 points on them they just look an average side.

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Quote: Chris B " Shaun looks certain to leave the Willers very shortly and Salford will be looking around for a new coach!'"


Betts is from Salford originally.

Just sayin...

J20
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Quote: JonM "Betts is from Salford originally.

Just sayin...'"


TBF I think he'd be MUCH better staying put, for numerous reasons anyway.

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Quote: Eye of the viking "[sizei played against hunslet the other day[/size in the challenge cup and no offence to them teams like fev, fax, widnes etc should put 40 points on them they just look an average side.'"


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Fax look a bit weaker i would say but then again i dont think any team looks stand out either. I think we lost 3 key players from last season, Maloney, Royston, and Branighan. Obviously we can replace Royston with Fieldhouse and Greenwood, not forgetting that Greenwood was the best full back in the Championship before he got injured and kept Royston out of his prefered position. It will take a bit of time for him to get back to his best though. Maloney is a massive loss, probably the best prop in the league and in Gannon i dont think we have come close to replacing him but on the plus side we have a full season with Sam Barlow this time. Branighan im pretty meh about as Holroyd was prefered to him at the end of last season but on the other hand Jones isnt half the player Branighan is and the sooner MC sees that and has Holly and Black at halfs the better. Ive no doubt we have the best set of backs in the league but feel our forwards may let us down but maybe they will prove me wrong. As for the other teams Fev will be up there and still look pretty strong. Leigh talk the talk every season but will they ever walk the walk. Barrow and Schofield is a match made in ......erm.......hell. Widnes didnt impress me against Siddal and i wouldnt be happy with the amout of times Siddals hookers broke your line. But it was a nothing game so its hard to tell. I think Widnes will be in the top 6 but dont look as good as the main teams but you never can tell.

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Siddal hooker never broke the line. He made a few good darts but was always tackled so half break at best, considering no Thackeray and a few others rested you can't really judge against a very strong and well organised Siddal unit we still beat by 50!

I saw Mr Fax comparing our score and yours icon_lol.gif what divisions are they in? You only had to look at players physique to tell the difference. Also heard a lot of 'this is our reserve side' Hmmm... Seemed a similar mix to ours tbh.

Widnes are MUCH stronger than last year. Signed Tyrer & Ropati to cover weak centre area. I'Anson for 7 and at prop have brought Sculthorpe in plus have Puckersgill fully fit. You maybe in for a shock I feel!

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Quote: J20 "Siddal hooker never broke the line. He made a few good darts but was always tackled so half break at best, considering no Thackeray and a few others rested you can't really judge against a very strong and well organised Siddal unit we still beat by 50!

I saw Mr Fax comparing our score and yours
Both hookers made a couple of good breaks where all it needed was someone on their inside when they went to pass. But like i said it was a nothing game anyway. Yes we had a lot of players out as did Widnes but i wouldnt go as far to say it was our reserve side and say it was a lot closer to our starting line up than i wished.

I know you mention those players but have you signed anyone good? icon_biggrin.gif You mention weak centre area and i cant help but feel sad for Varks what the move to Widnes has done to him.

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Quote: Greg Florimos Boots "Both hookers made a couple of good breaks where all it needed was someone on their inside when they went to pass. But like i said it was a nothing game anyway. Yes we had a lot of players out as did Widnes but i wouldnt go as far to say it was our reserve side and say it was a lot closer to our starting line up than i wished.

I know you mention those players but have you signed anyone good?
Varkulis has come a better player under Betts and is doing very well at prop.Widnes have improved in all postions with Centres a big one with Ropati and Tyrer.Fullback we dont have Ford and Yates anymore as choices, as Ford is more accomplished at centre.Jack Owens is only 16 and is a revelation, and we have Danny Craven and Flynn.Props we still have Scully and Gaz Haggerty to come back.I,Anson at halfback and Gore.Nobody has a postion guaranteed under Betts,and he is even looking at Dual from Wigan so watch out Fax.If Fax get major injuries to Black,Barlow, White or Greenwood again i think Fax will struggle. Widnes have more depth this year . icon_thumb.gif

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Why does everybody keep saying I'anson at 7?

He isnt a scrum half.

J20
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Quote: -VIKINGMAN- "Why does everybody keep saying I'anson at 7?

He isnt a scrum half.'"


He has the number 7 shirt? Cullen & both Betts have talked about him as the 7!

Remember he played 6 @ KR but they do have Michael Dobson, dream team 7 2010! He can play either or FB.

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Quote: J20 "He has the number 7 shirt? Cullen & both Betts have talked about him as the 7!

Remember he played 6 @ KR but they do have Michael Dobson, dream team 7 2010! He can play either or FB.'"


He's a natural type of 6 though rather than a scrum half, Thackeray played all his junior career at 7 so it makes sense IMO for them to swap. I'm sure in his brief 20 minute loan spell that he played 6.

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Quote: -VIKINGMAN- "He's a natural type of 6 though rather than a scrum half, Thackeray played all his junior career at 7 so it makes sense IMO for them to swap. I'm sure in his brief 20 minute loan spell that he played 6.'"


Played 7 to Thacks giving us a bit more depth I'm attack and the same with Craven on Sunday. IMO he suits that more. Thacks best attributes are hitting the game line with space out wide, whereas I'Anson seems to have a good quick long pass on him so from centre field he could get us on the move quicker, a few darts in the centre allowing Thacks to run the show on the edges. That's certainly how he seemed to play it on Sunday as well.

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Quote: J20 "Played 7 to Thacks giving us a bit more depth I'm attack and the same with Craven on Sunday. IMO he suits that more. Thacks best attributes are hitting the game line with space out wide, whereas I'Anson seems to have a good quick long pass on him so from centre field he could get us on the move quicker, a few darts in the centre allowing Thacks to run the show on the edges. That's certainly how he seemed to play it on Sunday as well.'"


If you would have included elbows and knees in that comment i could have swore that was Cullen at his peak. icon_biggrin.gif

120 posts in 9 pages 
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