There is plenty of time for the season to take its toll, and as long as at least one is as bereft of energy and ideas as Salford, Hudds and Rovers were last year, we'll have a chance.

We'll still have to raise our game significantly from the Championship, and a lot depends on how the scheduling pans out. If somebody like Warrington are bottom 4 you're much better playing them in the last couple of rounds when they're already probably be safe. Also if Toulouse are involved you'd prefer them at home, and similar for Widnes with their plaggy pitch maybe.

rovers will need to strengthen in the halfs, back row and probably outside backs to be in with a good shout of promotion but I do think at least 2 of the SL sides look vulnerable

No he's not, had a few run outs and doesn't let us down.

Can't see him in our starting 17 when we have a fully fit squad, may just be me but he lacks a bit of intensity to be a top prop at this level.
Don't get me wrong, seems a decent player, just lacks a bit of something

Pretty much the same player that left us then, One big hit then a few missed tackles and a certain lack of stamina. Flattered to decieve

I want a pint of what your drinking fc and wire will not be in middle 8s

My First game yesterday against halifax (still sulking). Not impressed, thought Wakey & Leigh were bad the other night but yesterday put it into perspective. Wont win the middle eights with that side imho. Lunt still class, heffernan and minns looked ok, need somebody better than abdull alongside ellis. Pack is lightweight and moss is a liability...end of summary, imho.

Agree with a lot of what has been said. This team as it is, is unlikely to be successful in the middle 8s.
We are seriously short of heavy impact forwards and have been for the last 2-3 seasons. A damaging forward or two preferably in the Micky Paea mould is really needed, plus a quick half back to complement Ellis and Abdull, ie. someone who could go 80-90 metres.
Dane Chisholm caused us no end of problems when we played Sheffield and could do a job for us, unfortunately he is with them.
Some supporters had issues with him when he played those few games for us, but he pulled us out of a couple of sticky games in the middle 8s two seasons ago.
Re. Moss, want him to succeed but not convinced so far, lets hope he improves.
Shaun Lunt..without him we would have lost to Halifax, he is vital to us.
I,m happy with 7 from 7, who wouldn't be? but we must get promoted this time and that means beating Super League teams who will no doubt strengthen, and so must we.
Hope Sheen has got something in the pipes to come to us.

Forgot I'd left that rod out...

Lack of heart more like

Would never say that about an RL player but I know what you mean.

I don't mean he's scared or lacks bottle but he doesn't have that desire that sets top players apart

Strangely not really, I think he has the heart and will often put in some big hits that really stand out but then seems to have a 'job done' spell where he'll miss tackles and not put a stint in.

Whether its a lack of fitness due to training or a mental thing I don't know, not a bad player by any shout but just missing a fair bit to be a top player

I understand the sentiment about Wakey being the perennial whipping boys that has not materialised, I think we are good enough for the top 8 again however you could be right on here about dropping into the middle 8s.

As an observation Wakefield have not hit form as yet and i am sure we will have that purple patch other than Leeds we have been in every game and although the Leigh game may look like two poor teams to some there are other teams that are very poor at the moment, Wakey have Catalans away this week then Widnes at home two results there could see them pull clear of the bottom 4 or equally the other side dragged right into it, another couple of weeks we will see. As for Warrington a third of the season has almost gone they have not got a point yet so I see it will be difficult to get up the table although in reality they are only 3 wins away from the top 8 provided the others lose of course.

Who are Rovers targeting to swap with?

I think Widnes are the obvious team however, must have some cap spare. If they look to add strength for the mid 8's and or get a fully fit squad going into the split if could be a tough ask for Rovers to bounce back up.

For me Rovers need a good run in the cup against SL opposition to try and increase the intensity pre-split.

I'm like a latter day nostradamus me.....