We're not yet at the point where we can expect performances consistent with Friday night, plus we're probably due another injury or two along the way. If we lose Briers again we'll take a step backwards, for instance. Best chance of glory is the Challenge Cup: we'll have to beat some top sides to do it but that still means just three outstanding performances against the eight or ten needed to get us into the top four. I think we should be happy, given the poor start, to finish anywhere from 6th to 8th and at least be involved in the playoffs again.

When the season started i said 4th, looking at the table last night i'm sticking with my 4th prediction. I can see Wakefield, Harlequins and Hudders losing a few place from now until the end of the year.

aslong as were in the playoffs i can see us doing really well semis or maybe final?

How does the playoffs work this year in its extended format? I heard the top team are able to choose who they play in the first round, or something along those lines. I'm sure one of the resident boffins on here will know.

[uWeek 1[/u

Qualifying Play Off 1
1 V 4

Qualifying Play Off 2
2 V 3

Elimination Play Off 1
5 V 8

Elimination Play Off 2
6 v 7


[uWeek 2[/u

Preliminary Semi Final 1
QPO 1 Loser
V
EPO 1 Winner

Preliminary Semi Final 2
QPO 2 Loser
V
EPO 2 Winner


[uWeek 3[/u

Qualifying Semi Final 1
QPO 1 Winner
V
PSF 1 Winner * (* - subject to choice of highest placed winner in week one)

Qualifying Semi Final 2
QPO 2 Winner
V
PSF 2 Winner * (* - subject to choice of highest placed winner in week one)


[uWeek 4[/u

Grand Final
QFS 1 Winner
V
QSF 2 Winner

Hull.

Man alive, they are terrible to watch. Easily the most dour team in SL. It wouldn't surprise me if they finished bottom three again, don't see the strike threat, or halves working.

I reckon they will just miss out as well. Their halves combination is terrible now Horne is at full back, Thorman just does not seem a SL half back to me at all.

However against us remember they were missing Manu, Hall, Raynor, Tony, Berrigan, Briscoe etc who count among their most exciting players.

I think Crocker would have been a massive boost for them, but his speeding tickets put paid to that. What happened to that New Zealander they signed Lauaki, is he still waiting for a visa?

If we played them, tomorrow, at home, first choice 17 V 17, I'd expect us to win by 20 points. We seem capable of doing far more with the ball than they do.

Is that right?
Isn't there the gimmick element where the top placed side (in the playoffs in week two??) gets to pick their oponents, the other fixtures are based around this... It's something like that anyway (I think)!

See the asterix on week 3...

I can see this scenario coming into effect, with Saints choosing to play us in the semis.

that is nailed on to happen, if i was them then i would pick Wires too

That, and his conviction for affray

What about Lauaki then, he signed for Hull FC ages ago but still hasn't arrived.

Did his grandad throw a spear at Prince Phillip or something?

Not quite, but he's got problems with exams and a hand job - typical student!

[urlhttp://www.sporthull.co.uk/rugby_league/hull_fc/news/displayarticle.php?ID=12797[/url

4th/5th

I agree.

Just considering the final third of the season I'd think we would be top 3

But would it not be sweeter if we broke the hoodoo in that particular game.
It would definitely make up from all those sean long moments

I dont care where we finish as long as we get to wembley....if we finish bottom and got to the cc final then i would consider that to be a successful season!

I say we will finish 4th realistically, but if HKR struggle for the second half of the season then 3rd is within reach.

I think we can finish 4th, the thing is at the moment is we aren't used to being able to trust us, if you get what I mean? It's mainly due to us having many false dawns.

7th.

I cant see enough teams above us dropping enough points for us to make fourth.

Can we keep this form up to the end of the season? Lets be honest weve had a few mid season runs of good form but tailed off badly towards the end.

Will Smith change that?

6th for me.

From a Wigan point of view i'm confident we can chase down Cas, Hull and Wakefield and possibly Quins but with your game in hand and the fact that Smiths got you playing well you'll go at least a place above us.

Wire 5th with Wigan 7th imo.