I like the fact that you are currently gatecrashing the top four but are you really a top four side?

Currently I guess you are up there on merit but the reality is, do you really expect to beat the likes of Saints or the Champions Leeds when it really matters?

What are your aspirations? Top 8 and a win in the play offs? Beating Leeds?

I think the majority of Rovers fans are just enjoying it for what it is, we have no expectations, and the team plays with little pressure from the fans. We are still to put in a full eighty minutes and play a team off the pitch.

Our strength is our defence this season, it's improved year on year, and our attack isn't half bad either. Are we a top four side, I think we are capable of being there come the end of the season, and perhaps the competitiveness of this years comp is perhaps helping us on our way, but on the other side of that we've had some notable scalps including Wigan and Saints away as well as Warrington at MM and Hull on their own pitch.

Thing is though, I don't want it to appear that Rovers are a shining light of Super League, we are one of a few clubs. Huddersfield, Cas, Wakefield, and Quins are all worth a mention for starting the season well and putting pressure on the usual suspects, and that alone, can only be good for the game. Add to that the ever improving Salford, and Celtic looking like they are finally finding there feet in this league, then likes or Warrington, Bradford, Wigan and Catalan must wonder what has hit them.

Back to Rovers, we've played every team now, we look in good shape, my only fear is that last season, a tough quarter final against Saints, which we almost won, knocked our season for six and it took us eight games to get back on track, so the cup tie with Wire will show how far we have come if we can cope with it afterwards, win or lose.

Fantastic ,fair balanced and well put together response

Rovers should finish top 4 barring injury, they have a settled squad that are performing on a consistent level and a reasonable standard most weeks which is more than can be said for most teams.

I don't see another team who deserves to take our place at the moment, so yes I think we are there on merit.

Yes, I think we are capable of beating Saints or Leeds when it really matters because I don't think I have yet seen Rovers fire on all cylindars yet we are still winning, once we click then we are going to be very, very good.

Aspirations? Well had you offered me 2nd in the league at this stage I would have snapped your hand off, so I am extremely happy. I do feel that we are up there with the big guns now and that a top four place, and a Wembley appearance are there for the taking. This of course is all barring any major injuries.

Whatever the outcome of this season, we have come a great way over the last three years and our growth will hopefully continue.

An interesting thing to think about, if the season finished now, and the league standings were the final positions, would Saints pick Rovers when it comes to the lottery of St Helens having the choice with the new rule?

And as the second placed team who would we pick if they didnt.

top post

Personally I see us finishing in the top-three in such a manner that would go a long way to establishing us as a top-four side.

However, I do think there is a half-decent chance we can top the table and win the league leader's shield.

I fancy us for the cup but I really want to see us win the Super League title and there's enough quality and big game experience in the squad to win at Old Trafford.

As far as threats go, many fans will name Saints as the team to beat to achieve this but I disagree - styles make games and I see Leeds as a far tougher challenge, mainly because of their line speed and pace throughout the side...

I think we might get a top 3 spot, the difficulty is staying there (Catalans!!). When we have to drop overseas places we might start to see a difference as our youngsters are not coming through fast enough yet, maybe in 3 years we will have a crop of academy players knocking on the door, but until then we might need to recruit British from other clubs.

No

in the first round of playoffs 1 plays 4 and 2 plays 3.

Winners of both them games go through to the semis and the highest place of the 2 winners gets to pick there next opponents, which is from the winners of the other games.

I may be wrong but 1 cannot play 2 unless 2 and 4 both win the first game and then 2 picks 1 if they win back through


Nowt as simple as rugby eh



I suppose you have to pick teams form at the time, you could be in a position that even though you finish high up, your last few games you may lose, have injuries etc, loss of form, yet a lower team (Hull, Bradford, Wigan , Warrington) who might just have scroaped in may be injury free and on top form going into the playoffs

I find myself agreeing with you.

good night on the ale was it last night

Who do you reckon the other established top 4 team will be then

I've a pretty good idea of one club which won't be.