It's difficult to see past Saints struggling a bit with off-field issues. New coach, new (temporary) home. Bound to have a bit of a psychological impact, especially if the fans don't turn up to shout them along. Could be a real transition season for them.

As for Leeds ... much as I like Brian McDermott as a top bloke, let's not kid ourselves about his ability. His last club finished near the bottom of the table. Okay, there were other issues, but for Leeds to appoint someone with so little experience of coaching success reminds me of Wigan appointing Andy Goodway. We all thought it would be okay because Andy was a great guy and had been a crowd favourite as a player - but look how it turned out.

Not counting injuries, I reckon you lot will finish first.

If you look at the players you have brought in after a firstplace finish in 2010 then I think you have to be favourites.

There's also the small matter of Gaz Hock returning.

Not looking good for Wakefield.

[urlhttp://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/59676/pages/922[/url

Quote ="Cooper Crank"One of the top stories on Newsnow at the moment, a run down on the possible Super League table in 2011. www.newsnow.co.uk/A/470689498?-4338'" ha ha ha Dark Horses!!!! Where do they get this cack from?? Look at the players we have MOS, Rookie of the Year - DARK HORSES?!!!!! Didn't read any further didn't see the point

Quote ="Cooper Crank"One of the top stories on Newsnow at the moment, a run down on the possible Super League table in 2011. www.newsnow.co.uk/A/470689498?-4338'" ha ha ha Dark Horses!!!! Where do they get this cack from?? Look at the players we have MOS, Rookie of the Year - DARK HORSES?!!!!! Didn't read any further didn't see the point

What, by losing both their play off games? They finished 5th in real terms. Can't see Hull F.C finishing above Huddersfield and Leeds either, three of their four main players are 30+, which is unsuprisingly resulting in injury crises

Yeah, that is serious revisionist history. I'm sure even the most ardent Wire fans would admit that Warrington were a big disappointment in the play-offs. They got nowhere near Old Trafford.

Do we know what is likely to happen if they do go under? Would all their fixtures just be cancelled?

These articles are rubbish warrington isnt in the same league as wigan for signings this yr brett hodgson will be 33 at the start of the season and he looked knackard last year. Joel monoghan is a good player but i wouldnt say world class. Warrington have an old team with the average age over 30 and if you look past there first 17 they are week with some very average players if they get a few injuries there in trouble. As we could put two sides out each week and they both would do well in both comps

i for some reason recon stains will finish above dire. There going to be tougher to beat than some people are reconing.

I can see saints top and Wigan wire looking for second. Saints have a good team and the trivial matter of new home ain't gonna bother them. New coach may have a MM effect. Looking good for Saints. It will be tough but they can do it.










what utter horse...rubbish.

Wire have made excellent signings if you can't see that then you are blind. The squad next year will be based on rotation. BH will play the majority of matches if not Riley will come in. (admittedly Riley isn't exactly Sam tomkins, but it is still depth) We have an entire back line that can play centre or wing to a level above most of super league including the top 3 others (helped with the addition of J. monaz). 3 hookers ( which you definetly can't say) cover in the halves if necessary and a ton of players available up front.

Wire have the same strength in depth if not a better than Wigan. It will take an injury overload for it to be proven other wise

Be serious.....We have two new signings, one was Man of Steel just over a year ago and who is being brought in for our supposed weak link, the other is an Australian international.

I agree that Wigan have made some impressive looking signings too, but to dismiss Wire's chances on the back of supposed poor signings is a bit bizarre.

Then again, looking at the standard of grammar of the poster, its highly probable he's a know nothing halfwit....

ay understud wat e rote.

They won't let it get to court if they can't pay - they'll go into administration before the 2 Feb and take the points deduction like Wrexham, play the season out and start afresh without the major burden of the debt, although probably in the Championship in 2012.

We will be top again, strongest squad in SL by a mile IMO

Wouldn't say by a mile, but you have a strong squad.....Top 3 really shouldn't change, it just depends on the order and injuries will probably have a say in it.

As a Wire fan, I'd like to think that we are probably Wigan's chief threat.....As long as our front rowers, which we are short on, stay fit, I believe we will definitely be there at the business end of things....Hodgson is a very important signing, good kicker, classy full back, when fit. He could be the difference between last year's play off disappointment and getting to Old Trafford.

IMO our depth and youngsters are superior to anyone else, although id expect Wire to be a close 2nd followed by Huddersfield, Saints will miss Cunningham and the impact he has on the game and Leeds have an ageing squad with average youngsters.

As a wire fan i see all of us north west sides as the main challengers. i think wigan have made some excellent proven signings and with MM's guidance they have to be favorites.
We weren't great in the playoffs apart from the first 10 minutes v saints and then the usual saints scenario happened. i would
never underestimate saints. they have lost cunningham and gidley, but Josh Perry, LMS and shenton are damn good signings. When
perry is at full fitness, he will join graham and roby. that is arguably the best front row although morley, monaghan and carvell
are right up there. you chaps have lima, another top quality prop and hoffmann who could potentially be the next
fitzgibbon for hull. finch is injured, but an outstanding player. Every season is worth looking forward to, but there is
something about this season which could be special. There isn't much between the top sides. Huddersfield should
also be mentioned. As we know from the playoffs and saints in their semi know that they are a formidable side.
Leeds if they have some of their players fit can't be written off. Really looking forward to it and may the best
team win.

Thanks for that, its nice to know the opinion from a Wire fan that isnt bitter. Agree with everything you said.

to be honest, most wire fans arn't that bitter. were really happy with things at the moment and couldn't of dreamed of being
in this situation (winning something!) but i would also say that I and many other wire fans said nice one one after you had
won the GF. i remember the topic on wigan's gf on this forum few months back, and was pleasantly surprised
by the number of wire fans who posted and said well done. i'll try and track back and find it but nice one.
Really looking forward to start of the season and some great derbies between the lancs clubs.

It's too hard to predict this year IMO but the league will be split into 4 different mini leagues IMO, they could finish in literally any order.

Wigan
Saints
Wire
Leeds

These 4 will be fighting for top spot, but too hard to predict which order they will finish, it will depend on head to heads, injuries and how each team deals with their 'bad spell' of the season. Leeds will improve on last year I have no doubts. We have strengthened in a few areas and should improve. Wire have got rid of their worst player and brought in one of the best FB's in super league, I think they are the main challengers to Wigans title defence. Saints have lost experience but in super league they always field a good squad, I can't see them finishing below 4th.

Hudds
Hull

These two are pretty similar on paper, last year Hull were superb when at their best but had too many poor games. Hudds had alot going on behind closed doors last year and struggled at times but I think this season they could finish fifth again despite losing Hodgeson. Both can match the big 4 on their day but both are not as consistant, therefore they will both miss out on the top 4 IMO.

Bradford
Hull KR
Salford
Catalans

These 4 will fight for the last 2 play-off spots. Bradford and Salford have both made some good signings and got rid of some poor players so I think they will be in with a shout. Hull KR have been there or there abouts in the play-offs and will challenge again, they have a decent squad with some classy players. Catalans, well I don't know but I just have a feeling they may pull something off this year. They don't have a poor squad and if they can sort their naughty boys out and use their home advantage well then I can see them making a charge for the play-offs.

Crusaders
Quins
Cas
Wakey

The last 4 teams are either just as poor as last year or have lost some decent players.

My prediction of how it will pan out is.....

Wigan
Wire
Leeds
Saints
Hudds
Hull
Hull KR
Bradford
Salford
Catalans
Cas
Wakey
Crusaders
Quins

This will hopefully provide us with some more nail biting play-off fixtures again.

Wigan v Saints
Hull v KR
Wire v Leeds
Hudds v Bradford

Proabably even better than this years!

In conclusion I think every team has arguments as to why they will have a cracking season and every team has a chance of things not going their way whether that be new signings not gelling or expectancy being to high etc. I think this is the hardest super league season to call and the first time we have had 4-5 maybe even 6 teams with a shout of Old Trafford at the end of the year. We certainly have 4 teams who could realistically win the compeition, I dont think we have had that since 2004 when the old big 4 was in place before Wigan and Bradfords demise. Wire have IMO replaced Bradford to form a new top 4 which will stick around for a few years yet I think.

Big question for me is still how saints cope without cunningham there were so many games last year when he went off and they were poor and he came on to boost them without that impact I'm not sure how they will cope

Alot of what you said is spot on.
that playoff scenario sounds great as well.

I can see saints topping the table this year. I think they have been given new life by a new coach. A lot of players and fans weren't happy with miick. And their new players are great.

Could be wigan and wire fighting for 2 and 3 i think Wigan might get second but Wire have improved this year.

Think it will bee leeds and hudders fighting for fourth and then hull, hull kr and probably bradford.

There may be some transition in a couple of years as wire change the old guard though.

Garbage.....what arrogance/ignorance from you! you surely have not seen the squad cas have assembled then. it is far more balanced and has real strength in depth in comparison to the last 8 years! granted the squad is not as strong as wigans for example but it is as strong but stronger than all of the teams you list in the league fo 4 aqbove with the possible exception being Hull KR. Salford squad is poor, you could argue an ok starting 13 but after that it's poor.

i guess the proof will be in the pudding but i would comfortably say we will finish in the top 8 this year unless we are crucified by injuries!!

Calm down. Only one mans opinion. Cas have lost two of their most influential players and have brought in garbage like Mathers. Can't see Cas getting in the eight, they don't have a squad as good as Hull KR, Bradford and Hull IMO.