I've always said that I don't rate Tony when he is trying to be a pivot/halfback. He is much better at running with the ball. He runs fantastically when returning kicks but we don't give him much opportunity to run at the line

I'd not disagree with that. I think Tony's big strength is his kick returns - he runs the ball in like an extra prop at times and always makes good yards.

He's also a good broken field runner, and we maybe don't exploit that as much as we could.

1.Leeds
2.Saints
3.Warrington
4.Hull
5.Wigan
6.Bradford
7.Huddersfield
8.Rovers
9.Catalans
10.Quins
11.Castleford
12.Salford
13.Wakefield
14.Celtic

I think this season will be very close right trhough the top 6 positions and I don't think Leeds and Saints will get it all their own way although if Leeds can sign a centre they will be clear favourites for me.

Leeds
Saints
Wigan
Wire
Bulls
Hudds
Hull FC
Catalans
Hull KR
Quins
Wakefield
Castleford
Salford
Celtic

Tbh I think 3rd-8th could be a lottery, Wire always flatter to deceive, Wigan lack props and will miss Trent, Bulls are not the team they were, Hudds could do well if Carney settles in, Ctas will be under pressure this season which they might stuggle with, FC are an unknown quantity just now and so on.

Will be a really tight season I reckon.

These threads always make me laugh and just to prove it......



How anyone can predict final league standings before a ball has been kicked is beyond me. Salford and Celtic will be unknowns, Catalans have a new coach as do Saints and Hudds (who also have some very good new signings) so who knows how they will go. Rovers might go bankrupt and FC might have far better luck with injuries and play to the form they have shown in the past.

FWIW at this stage I would say Leeds are strong favourites for the title with Saints about 4-6 points further back and the rest could literally end up anywhere. If putting money on it I would be backing Salford, Celtic and Cas for the bottom 3 obviously but the rest could finish anywhere depending on circumstances.

Jan 2nd and the best post I've read this year.

leeds
saints
Hull
warrington
catalans
wigan
bradford
huddersfield
cas
hull kr
harlequins
wakey
salford
celtic

Ever the optimist

Always am mate!

Leeds
Saints
Warrington
Catalans
Wigan
Huddersfield
Bradford
Hull FC
Hull KR
Wakefield
Castleford
Quins
Salford
Celtic

I hope that I'm wrong and that RA and JS have some seriously big white rabbits in a hat somewhere but I really can't see anything other than a finish of 7th - 9th.

In reality, our front row IMO is one of the weaker/most average in SL and certainly weaker now that it has been for a while and most packs will dominate us with ease, even more than they did last season.

We still haven't got a SH and no matter how many times we call Thorman "our new scrum half" he isn't and never has been one. Whether he is good enough at all, is yet to be seen but IMO he is a good SO or a very poor FB. His signing and the subsequent release of Webster still doesn't make any sense at all to me.

We are going into the season with only one recognised centre of any quality at all and, for me, this is utter madness.

Until RA and JS have the opportunity to get rid of the 6 or 7 squad players that are clearly not good enough for Hull FC (whether they're "local lads" or not) and go out and get TWO PROPS, A SCRUM HALF AND A CENTRE, we can expect nothing more than mid-table mediocrity.

I'd really like to see JR's table prediction because he keeps telling us how fantastic our squad is. It would be very interesting to see if he really believes it or whether it's just "spin" for our benefit.

RANT OVER !!!

Do you claim to see anyone who 'knows' how it will go? It's more to educated guesses don't you think? Also, its quite funny how you say people can't predict, yet you go on to make some in your last paragraph

If you could point me in the direction of my prediction of final league standings that would be good.

I didn't say people shouldn't predict things, I simply said its a pointless exercise to guess exactly where all 14 SL teams will finish the season when any number of factors can influence things that aren't even known at this point, for instance not a single person would have had us finishing 11th last season.

I then offered an opinion on who my money would be on to finish top and bottom. Thats hardly the same as predicting the final standings of all 14 teams.

Just because you didn't predict the full league standings, it doesn't mean you didnt predict some of the standings by saying Leeds will come top, with Saints 4-6 points off in second. I mean, how can you predict that when you talk about new coaches and one of those clubs above has a new coach for example?

If people wanrt to predict then where's the harm, if you don't want to then don't.

Most people won't get it right but its a decent enough thread to have this time of year.

I predicted Leeds would finish top with Saints a few points behind, I could coach Saints and they would be in the top 2 or 3 FFS. Its not the same at all.

People can predict what they want but IMO its pointless to try and put all the teams in order as its not based on anything substantial. Only a couple of people have actually given reasons as to why they think each team will finish where they think and even then most people think places 3-9 could be in any order. Until the teams have actaully played some rugby how can you make an informed opinion with so many unknowns?

Thats not the point. You're saying Saints will drop a league position and be a few points behind the top of the table. Seeing as neither team has changed their side much, you must have some other reason why you predict they will drop a place?

They only have one and another year onto an old side, Leeds will finish a good 6 points infront of everyone else imo.

Both sides have made changes and the likes of Long and Cunningham are another year older. McClennan has had a year in charge and will be settled whereas Saints have a new man coming in and may take a while to adjust. Leeds are a better team than Saints IMO and those 2 are the best 2 sides in the league so will be the top 2. That is based on no long term injuries to key players and the current playing strength of both squads.

Fact is though, you are making assumptions on the new coach, something you said isn't possible to do at this stage

No I'm basing it on the playing strength of the two teams, the new coach is just one part of it. You are right though Potter may get the Saints to play even better and finish top of the league or Leeds may suffer from a lot injuries. Thats just 2 possible scenarios for 2 teams in a league of 14. Kind of backs my point up.

saints and leeds have got good teams but so as other clubs and you have made a prediction saying leeds will finish top saints second

Do you have a point?

yes i made this thread so people could make predictions (have a guess) on the league at the end of the season