I notice that Clown Charlie has forecast a seventh place finish for us on the Mighy Leigh page. Really just shows that his knowledge of the game is limited and he only goes to games for some food and to accompany his good friend andrew gregory !!

Copy and paste because Im lazy and do not want to been seen as two faced changing predictions from one site to the next:-



1. Leigh - Should walk the league and have by far the strongest squad in the league. Their pack was pretty average I thought last season but they have recruited well in that area so much so it makes their backs look the weak part of their team. I thought a lot of Leighs backs would not have looked out of place in SL which on my last note says how strong I think they are.

2. Bradford - Strange one really, no real chance of finishing above Leigh and pick up injuries they could easily get in a dogfight for 2nd, that said been FT and having a good squad like they have should see them ease in to the middle 8's without putting much pressure on Leigh.

3. Fax - To be honest I think we will be comfortable in the top 4 this season and I see us as the only team that could challenge Bradford for 2nd. Our team finished the season as a top 3 team and I see no one improving enough to beat us to the top 4 especially as we have made some good signings to enhance what was a pretty small squad.

4. London - I see them been more settled this year under Henderson and think they could pip the rest to 4th especially if they can make their new home a fortress.

5. Batley - Probably a bit of a shocker but Batley look to have a real solid squad this year, their pack was good last season but their backs were for the most part gash but a couple of good half back signings and a couple of shrewd signings in the backs I think they can make a real push for 4th although their fans would probably be happy just not flirting with relegation.

6. Sheffield - Obviously weakened their team by off loading so many players and having to replace them simply with whoever is available. I think this will be a transitional year for Sheffield and they will be in the pack chasing 4th although I expect them to miss out this year.

7. Dewsbury - Again part of the pack chasing 4th and was a coin toss between them and Fev for 7th. I went with Dewsbury because they seem a little bit more settled although Im not sure their squad has improved enough to have much chance of 4th.

8. Fev - They have a decent couple of half backs but thats about it, their pack looks one of the weakest in the league and wont lay any sort of platform for their backs and that will cost them badly. Probably not helped by having a pretty poor coach and I feel they will be on the look out again for a new one come the middle of the season.

9-12 Ive really not kept much eye on the rest of the teams. Worky seem to have put their eggs in one basket and might have been better advised to spend that money on 3-4 players who could have improved their squad. They have not a hope in hell of making the top 4.

Haven, Swinton, and Oldham will obviously be in the relegation battle as their teams are simply incomparable to the teams I expect to finish 8th and above.

Tbh, he's only following the bookies. We're equal 6th (or 7th, depending how you look at it) with Dewsbury at 33-1. Bradford, London, Sheffield and Fev all shorter odds than Fax. It means that the punters out there aren't backing Fax (the bookies just run a book, they don't care who wins!), but I can't see us not being up there in the mix. Can't see anything other than Leigh in top spot, but at 40-1 (as I say, now 33-1) I couldn't resist a couple of £ on Fax.

The bookies have to balance their books and with Leigh been such short favorites they have to offer "value" somewhere else with a team that punters can go "Oooh Halifax look a good bet at 40-1 when all the time they know there isnt a chance in hell of said team topping the table but it will make up some of the losses they make on Leigh.Please take no offense because I mean none but you are a bookies dream having a couple of quid on Fax.

Edit - Ive just checked on Betfair, no odds for the Championship but only £1400 matched on SL for next season. In comparison there is a Israeli Womens premier league game going on with 80K matched. Theres so little money backed on Championship rugby that its very unlikely that the market will move that much from the starting prices(which are set for reasons explained above) at least until a lot closer to the season.

BIJ yes I have predicted 7 th spot for Fax next season , though nowt to do with the Bookies prices,I suggest you ask the Bookies to give you a price on Fax without Leigh being in the betting you might get 5 or 6 to 1, could be more.
As for my knowledge of our great game?I did win the Fax Fantasy League fairly easy and will be trying to repeat it next season,so I must know something, we all have our opinions though.Again Andy likes to watch Leigh , he says we remind him of the Wigan team he played for I know he looking forward to the Fax game at the Shay next season,as much as I am,not long to wait.

For what its worth I once won some money on the Lottery, it does not make me a maths genius.

Tbh, a couple of £ on Fax at 40-1 doesn't feel that bad to me? 40 attempts and just one success with RM at the helm? Doesn't sound unreasonable? Regardless, I've wagered the price of a pint, and however unlikely it is, we can all dream... (and the missus get's a meal out if we win!!!!).

...oh, and a couple of £ ain't going to make me any bookies dream!!!!!

The last time you Muppets suggested fax for 6th/7th look what happened in the middle 8s. Who finished where



1) Leigh
2) Fax
3) Dulls
4th London
5th) Sheffield
6th) Batley
7th) Dewsbury
8th) Fev

Very True GFB ,Charlie thinks he's a Rugby expert because he won the Fax Comp,let's see how he fares this year,that's if he even enters.

Sorry, wasnt meant to look as though I were having a go, just trying to get a point across about the bookies and where their money comes from.

I think that gfb's initial assessment is what I would go with

Ian, where do you get 7th place for Fax? How the hell did you win the Fax fantasy league?

The Shay Wake, Shaw. Driftwood Pale Ale 5.0 % Mmm!

Sorry Pete,it's just my opinion,I think it will be a great League this year ,for me Leigh should be top ,provided they can gel together,Bradford should be second ,then it's hey boys hey after with Sheffield , Fax , Fev,London, Dews,maybe even Batley going for the other places, I'm not impressed with the signings Fax have made ,sorry but again it's my opinion,obviously RM is a very good Coach , but I think opposing teams will wise up to Fax after last season's great run in you had, my dark horses are Dews.
As for how I won the Fax Fantasy Comp? I'm keeping my tactics quiet as I'm trying to win it again next season.I'm sure you and all my Fax friends won't listen to my predictions,what do I know?Fax will finish in 3rd or 4th spot

.

Ian, go to Fax's official website, there is a photo of Richard having just heard of your prediction.
It's called the Halifax stare, and is much more potent than a Glasgow kiss.
Stay indoors for a few days if I were you.

Charlie I'm tempted to DOUBLE our wager ,you know NOWT about Rugby even less about Fax ,we have the best Coach in the Division the best Team spirit ,and a very good group of loyal fans,Leigh might have the overpaid superstars but can they play as a group?The Bookies think so I'm not convinced.

John ,I always say it as I see it even when I'm totally wrong,and though I'm predicting Fax to finish 7th like last year I could be wrong again, I just feel other teams have recruited a bit better,Fax received a fair few quid from Central Funding for finishing where thy did yet I feel they have not invested it on playing staff,obviously RM feels his squad is strong enough and who am I to disagree.It seems the Bookies agree with me.

Good Evening Tezzer,hope you are well?I wish you would double our wager

it would be like giving a Donkey strawberries

as for my knowledge on Rugby?I'm happy with what I know,I would also contest your claim to having the BEST Coach in the Division

I admit RM is a good Coach but to make this claim on the back of winning 7or 8 consecutive league games is a tad early, we will see where you finish at the end of the season.Anyway before that have a Happy New Year.

.

Sheffield have a current squad of 20. It's nearly January. Either they've cocked up big style or they're going to announce a glut of signings imminently. Either way - they can't be prepared. I'd have us finishing above them at the moment.

I agree Rich, Sheffield might struggle for top 4 this season. Will be interesting to see how London do after last seasons shambles

Charlie its time to put up or shut up, I will Double our wager,I'm convinced Fax will finish 2nd in the League , I'm not convinced Leigh will finish first, so You Sir have a bet,all this smug talk about teams reading RMS and Faxes tactics is like Hudd Shay giving up the beer,Charlie boy,get thi cash out.

Gee whiz Rubber Lips, You must have plenty of dough.

Its just giving money away, Leigh will win the league comfortably with the team they have.

Thats why I cant understand people saying they expect Sheffield to be stronger this season. They must be simply basing it on them going full time rather than their recruitment.

Hear they are DR with Castleford........