Bit early but why not.

Looking at early form in SL and a seeming downward spiral in terms of signings at some of the 'big boys' does anyone think we could be facing some unexpected names come season end.

At the moment my bets for the middle 8 line up would be

Hull KR
London
Featherstone
Batley (maybe Toulouse dependant on away form picking up)
Widnes
Hudds
Leigh
Leeds

The bottom 4 of SL is really anyones guess as Leeds and Saint look dreadful, I know its early but I fail to see much quality in either side to say early form will turn around, Leeds especially. Both these teams look on a downward spiral.

Can't really argue with that I think Saints will pick up once Smitg comes back why Leeds think they can be better than last season without signing anyone is anybody's guess

Leeds may pick up form with a new coach (sooner rather than later), and if Widnes finally realise they need to sign a replacement halfback, they could make the top 8 (with the help of the plastic pitch)
That would leave Catalan to have a mid season implode and Wakey to replace them.
In the championship maybe Rochdale to sneak in the 4.

I do not think Leeds will be down in the bottom 4 but the rest will be

I struggle to see any improvement from last year in Leeds. I'd say they look worse at Hooker, half backs and full back than they did going into 2016. their one hope is that Lilley gets a run of games and kicks on but they look a bit clueless at this time.

if leeds keep injury free in their back 5 they may get away with it but their halves need looking at for the future

On current form Leeds will be nailed on bottom 4. Toothless in attack, too reliant on Rob Burrow and poor in the forwards.

I have a real soft spot for Leeds. Lived and worked there for 8 years in the 80s, daughter was born there and is an avid Rhinos fan, our friends all support them.

However, despite them being the best supported team in the UK game and their money generating trophy successes in recent times, the underinvestment in the stadium and the team in the last few seasons is disgraceful and plain short-sighted. Their bubble has been allowed to burst due to stubbornness and complacency. They deserve to fail.

Leeds, Huddersfield, Leigh and Widnes in the SL bottom 4 this year. Hull KR, London, Fev and Toulouse to join them in the middle 8s.

IF Leeds do drop again to bottom 4 they will be doing what rovers did years ago when roger was the coach the people in charge would not spend the money all the good players we had were to old and we went down and it took us years to get back up

Way way ahead of ourselves with this thread.


Start it with 5 rounds to go not 5 rounds in.

If Leeds play like they did last night they will be in top 8

Leigh have lost to Castleford and Wigan away this season. Probably the best 2 teams in the comp. They lost by 3 points to Leeds and should have won it. They also have a number of players out, notablty Glenn Stewart and Willie Tonga.

They currently lie 7th in SL, early days granted but I feel there is still some considerable improvement in them before the 8's

I know but that's kind of the point. Good to see how things change and opinions.

My apologies.

It will.

Our fortunes in any play offs will depend on how the Superleague teams cope. Injuries, changing coaches, recruitment, management. We got it all wrong last year. We need a Superleague team to capitulate.
Widnes and Huddersfield look most likely at present.
We also hope that Lunt is fit for us during the play offs. He looks the most irreplaceable.

If I was to put a bet on now, it would be you vs Widnes at home (with Rovers winning), obviously a lot can change with injuries, recruitment and coaches. My main worry if I was a Rovers fan, is the lack of intensity that this division is providing for you, it isn't the best preparation.

That is the concern (at this early stage) I agree. On the plus side we might have the luxury of rotating the squad and going into the 8s relatively fit, fresh and confident.

I think the ideal first game in the middle 8's would be widnes at home, I think that's probably the best SL team to get at home, and will get us upto speed and the required intensity needed.

That's the last thing I'd do. I'd rather play a mid range superleague side that got dragged into the middle 8's first, and then Widnes.
You only get one crack at each team, and I'd rather hope we were prepared for it.

Much rather play Salford at home. We need to get that monkey of our back.
Plus they are vulnerable to pace which we seem to have in abundance this season.

I had salford down for the middle 8's pre season but they're looking better than I thought. 2 from wakey, salford, les cats and leigh to join hudds and widnes in the middle 8's

The bottom 4 from the superleague will be very interesting this year.
There seems to be at least 4 teams who have not strengthened, and a couple more who are coming up short with ageing squads.
Who's ever got quarter space or cap money left will make the top 8

Just watched Leigh v warry. Strange game. On paper warry looked way better but on pitch was one sided not a pretty team to watch but effective so far.look an old team and strange signings. Think as season goes on they will find way into bottom 4 . Warrington will struggle for top 8 now so for me I'd go hudds Widnes Leigh and either Salford hull or Warrington in middle 8. I still think as we are we cannot displace any of these teams but a quality half Clark fully fit and a beast of a 2nd row and why not. heard a rumour Dave Taylor .

The same Dave Taylor who just signed for Canberra? Or a different one?

Yes the ex Catalan big unit. Maybe a bogus lead but he is the type of player we need imo

I don't think we have much to fear with either Hudds or Widnes. I expect Wakey to tail off soon as well. Actually, Salford and Leigh might make the top 8. Warry will improve, but it may take Smith being sacked to do so.

Hudds and Widnes I think are prettty much odds on, I still think wire will get out of it but not get anywhere near enough points to challenge. Leigh I agree should struggle as the year goes on and I think Wakey are an injury away from a bad run.

I assume including Hull in there was based on emotion rather than any evidence. They defend far too well and are too dogged to end up down there. They aren't playing too well but are grinding out results and I'd have them more likely top 4 than bottom 4.