I think it's the fact that there's so much change, as well as new coaching staff, it will take time to gell. Although they have signed some half decent players none are stand outs that drastically improve the squad.

1 Warrington

2 Leeds

3 Saints

4 Wigan

5 Hudds

6 Cats

7 FC

8 Bulls



9 Cas

10 KR

11 Wakefield

12 Salford

13 Widnes

14 London

Is that quote drastically different from what we've done though? Whilst we have definately strengthened, we've only improved the squad just enough to be challenging for 8th in my opinion. We are ok - just as Cas, Wakey, Hull KR, Hull etc are.

1. Warrington

2. Saints

3. Wigan

4. Catalans

5. Huddersfield

6. Bradford

7. Hull FC

8. Leeds

9. Hull KR

10. Wakefield

11. London

12. Salford

13. Widnes

14. Castleford

I'd say your squad already had a bit more quality to it before taking into account the additions. Arn't Wakefield's 1-13 squad numbers all taken up by new signings? I just think that's too much of an overhall at once. Plus, said new coach at Wakefield dosen't exactly have a brilliant record at getting the best out of players according to the fans of his previous club.



For me I've got you challenging for 8th place, along with KR, Cas and possibly even London, who have made a few astute signings. I think there will be a bit of a gap between the top and bottom half, although I can see it being very tight from places 8 to possibly 12 or 13. The only teams I can't envisage challenging for the play-offs are Salford, who appear to be in dissaray as a club, and Widnes, although I'm not so sure they'll be the whipping boys everyone is predicting.



All in all I'm just hoping for a more competitive Super League, with less blow out scores against teams who come the secon half of the season are already shot.

Who have Bradford signed to suggest you will make the play offs this season

Hope this is just wishful thinking on your part and not a genuine indication of complete idiocy.

A better halfback pairing in Gale & Sammut and some players who are meant to be able to defend and attack better on the fringes in Purtell and Lulia.



Having said that we're weaker in the forwards. I think 8th is the best we can hope for.

Whilst it is commendable to big-up one's own during pre-season, I am somewhat surprised many on here believe the Bulls will make the play-offs (some predicting as high as 6th).



The recruitment of Sammut and Gale will of whetted your appetites but the loss of Andy Lynch quickly dampens any raised spirits.

Kopczak will step it up this year. He showed he can mix it with the Aussies and Kiwis and hopefully will continue that form along with Kear on the wings.

It might be more a case of who we've replaced rather than who we signed. Herbert was the worst scrum half in the comp and yet we were far from the worst team so any improvement, and I think Gale and Sammut are improvements, would be expected to have a very significant effect. Again, our centres were poor in attack and defence so Lullia who looked very good for Newcastle in the second half of the NRL season will also improve us. I'm less convinced by Purtell but he simply must be better than Sykes and Platt. Kear looks a good lad who can play wing or fullback.



I don't necessarily think we're weaker in the forwards as I thought our pack was poor last season and that included Lynch. Optimism is based upon a group of young emerging forwards the best of whom are Kopczak, Whitehead and Burgess. We're definitely a good prop short but I've thought that for six years. If Langley and Scruton play 20+ games I think we look a top 8. Take them out and we look very light up front. My sense is there's the makings of a rugby team if we get a fair wind with injuries as in the key positions of 1,6,7 and 9 we're the strongest we've been in years.

very nearly the complete answer, MB, a bit of expansion on the injuries needed imo. You have mentioned Langley , he looked good Boxing Day, and Scruton, theres also Walker Ainscough (he showed what he could do with the right service on Boxing Day) Diskin L'Estrange that had significant time out last season (or just as bad, played with injuries - cant wait for Diskin to be fully fit). Hargreaves looked very fit too, looks like hes up for proving a point this season. I think that if Langley and Scruton play 20+ games then Elima will have less cause to spit his dummy out as he did on occasion last season in frustration.