Re: The Race for 1st : Mon Jun 21, 2010 1:30 pm  

Tough playoffs, and close race for the top of league...

I blame the salary cap!

Re: The Race for 1st : Mon Jun 21, 2010 1:44 pm  

Ski wrote:

Tough playoffs, and close race for the top of league...

I blame the salary cap!

Teams like Wigan, Wire, Saints, Leeds are all very even teams now because all of them are managed properly and have got a decent youth setup going.

There's still a big divide though where the teams like Wakefield, Cas, Salford, Catalans etc are just not good enough yet. But its definately improving.

Re: The Race for 1st : Mon Jun 21, 2010 1:46 pm  

Ski wrote:

Tough playoffs, and close race for the top of league...

I blame the salary cap!

It's even at the top but the rest of the league is really really poor.

Re: The Race for 1st : Mon Jun 21, 2010 6:39 pm  

Can't see us catching Wigoon. Warrington have got a chance and Wigoon have five potentially difficult away games but I can't see them losing too many of them. They should beat the two Hull teams and Catalans which would be enough to stop us from coming first. I'd be relatively happy with third this season going into the play offs and, unlike in previous years when we've not finished in the top two, we could definitely go to one of those above us and win.

Re: The Race for 1st : Mon Jun 21, 2010 7:53 pm  

Billinge_Lump wrote:

Wigan will finish top, we may finish second but a lot will depend on the game at the HJ.

Given our injuries third would be a satisfactory end prior to the play offs, though we can't relax with the rest so close.

A top four of Wigan, Wire, us and Leeds would make a very interesting club call.

Assuming they all make it through.

Re: The Race for 1st : Mon Jun 21, 2010 8:18 pm  

The best thing we can do Is manage our resources so that we have as many fit first teamers as possible at the business end of the season.
The rest will take care of itself.

Re: The Race for 1st : Mon Jun 21, 2010 8:43 pm  

I doubt we'll finish top, even 2nd will be difficult but you never know. We'll definitely be in the top 4 and depending on injuries to ourselves and other teams we could possibly sneak 2nd or top. Either way, we're coming into form and gettingsome good players back shortly which is good news.

Re: The Race for 1st : Mon Jun 21, 2010 9:27 pm  

Blobbynator wrote:

Either way, we're coming into form and gettingsome good players back shortly which is good news.

We seem to have some good players anyway!

I'm not so sure about looking forward to players coming back. How many games have we played where we have had fewer than three players out injured at any one time? I think we will be very fortunate indeed to have anything like a full team out this season. Granted, our long termers (bar Sia) and short termers will come back, but Gardner and Wheeler have been back before, only to be injured again (and will Wello be out for a fourth time?).

I'm thinking that where we finish and how well or otherwise we do will not rely upon who is playing but what attitude they take into the game.

Re: The Race for 1st : Mon Jun 21, 2010 9:53 pm  

I think the cup games will play a huge part in the final outcome especially as Saints & Wire play each other the week before. Will both teams field weakened sides or will both still want to compete at full strength knowing it could jeopardise their chances of making the cup final should further injuries/fatigue occur.

Like many I'd gladly settle for 3rd knowing that we were once again written off by many parties (home & away) prior to & just after, the start of the season, and that we still have enough players with the experience & mentality needed to last the course in knock out competitions. Plus we should *touches wood* be in a better position personnel wise come the final weeks of the season and play-off time.

Re: The Race for 1st : Tue Jun 22, 2010 7:49 am  

V For Vendetta wrote:

Assuming they all make it through.

I accept that, I just feel that if Huddersfield or Hull finish 3rd or 4th, they'll almost be the automatic pick.