Re: 2012 Expectations - how will we do? : Thu Feb 02, 2012 2:15 pm  

Saddened! wrote:

We're not good enough to win SL this season.

Utter, utter nonsense. We have holes and deficiencies but every single other team in the entire league does too in modern SL. Another prop would have been nice sure, but provided we have enough fit bodies for the playoffs we have as good a chance as anyone else and it's nonsense to suggest otherwise.

We will probably have a slow start to the season, probably have yet another injury crisis, will likely see Wigan and Warrington cope better with the week-to-week and finish above us again but frankly, who cares? It doesn't matter as long as we're in the top 8 at the end of the season and, short of a nuclear bomb hitting Langtree Park, we will be easily.

And as for the lack of preparation... Are you for real? We have 27 games to prepare for the start of the season... Get some flippin' perspective for once in your life...

Re: 2012 Expectations - how will we do? : Thu Feb 02, 2012 2:25 pm  

Northampton_Saint wrote:

And as for the lack of preparation... Are you for real? We have 27 games to prepare for the start of the season... Get some flippin' perspective for once in your life...

I said I was concerned about a slow start and chasing the other big teams as we've not really prepared thoroughly. Royce has admitted this himself, his preseason was about giving them a proper rest. Some clubs have played as many as 7 or 8 friendlies and started preseason earlier than we did, so there is at least the potential for us to be underdone and struggle early on in the season.

Re: 2012 Expectations - how will we do? : Thu Feb 02, 2012 2:33 pm  

You'll be there or there abouts along with all the other usual candidates. It'll then depend on individual teams fatigue levels, along with any injury problems they may be suffering. Of course lady luck always play's apart.

Re: 2012 Expectations - how will we do? : Thu Feb 02, 2012 5:37 pm  

Saddened! wrote:

:? I said I was concerned about a slow start and chasing the other big teams as we've not really prepared thoroughly. Royce has admitted this himself, his preseason was about giving them a proper rest. Some clubs have played as many as 7 or 8 friendlies and started preseason earlier than we did, so there is at least the potential for us to be underdone and struggle early on in the season.

But as pointed out, it doesn't really matter does it? We need to be peaking in August when the big games come and should that be the case, I'll excuse us for a poor start.

We're lucky with our fixtures, they could've been alot harder and whilst I'm not under-estimating London and Salford who could beat us if we're not on our game, I'd expect us to take the points even if it isn't pretty in doing so.

Royce has said he is fairly happy with the depth of the squad as the young lads now have experience and he genuinely has 22-23 players ready to go and will rotate more this season. It's a good policy as I think we were over-reliant on Graham and Roby last year. Whilst I still believe Roby is key to our hopes, we won't have that as much this year and need a more workmanlike effort from our pack alongside a few star players to give us some edge in our offence - Lomax, Gaksell, Roby and Hohaia.

Re: 2012 Expectations - how will we do? : Thu Feb 02, 2012 6:16 pm  

Reckon we will have our usual top 4 finish.

If we have an injury situation like the last 4 seasons then it might be déjà vu all over again.
Royce needs to come up with better game plans and the players need to be mentally tougher than last season.
Biggest worry is the lack of an inspirational team leader.

Probably need a rest from a grand final appearance and go league leaders with a challenge cup win.

Re: 2012 Expectations - how will we do? : Thu Feb 02, 2012 6:49 pm  

I think we should be targeting top three again. It's going to be a tough year as Leeds, Wigan, Warrington, hudds and Catalan will all be up there this year.

I'm a little worried not having many practice games due to having a possible new halfback combination and the likes of ade, perry, lance, flannery, clough and flanaghan not having much competitive rugby over the last 12 month.

Re: 2012 Expectations - how will we do? : Thu Feb 02, 2012 7:05 pm  

Saddened! wrote:

Another factor concerning me is the lack of preparation for the season. One half hearted friendly is all they've done this year. London away could be difficult as it's as low key a start to the season as it's possible to get. Add in the fact we always start slowly recently and usually cop a few home defeats to the lesser sides, we could easily be playing catchup to the likes of Wire, Leeds and Wigan within the first month of the season.

Might be a blessing in disguise this. Last year, Wigan had 3 top line signings and did loads of pre-season and the WCC. Towards the end of the season I've never seen us looking so burned out. Saints will feature this year no doubt but I reckon it's too close to call. Reckon there's a good chance the Grand Final could see either Hull or Cats featuring.

Re: 2012 Expectations - how will we do? : Thu Feb 02, 2012 11:02 pm  

Saddened! wrote:

:? I said I was concerned about a slow start and chasing the other big teams as we've not really prepared thoroughly. Royce has admitted this himself, his preseason was about giving them a proper rest. Some clubs have played as many as 7 or 8 friendlies and started preseason earlier than we did, so there is at least the potential for us to be underdone and struggle early on in the season.

Any club that has played that many pre-season friendlies is run by madmen. Frankly I don't see any point in anyone having any pre-season friendlies at all anymore - 1 was way too many frankly (though understandable as a one-off this year to get the stadium's safety certificate etc). We have 27 of the bleedin' things to have to plough through in the months ahead already anyway so what's the point in having any more?

Re: 2012 Expectations - how will we do? : Thu Feb 02, 2012 11:19 pm  

McClennan wrote:

Now that Buderus has gone there isn't a hooker within touching distance of Roby

I was reading your long post, nodding in agreement, so much so i wasn't even going to reply and then you said that.
Mick Monaghan is at the very least equal to Roby.

Re: 2012 Expectations - how will we do? : Thu Feb 02, 2012 11:53 pm  

Horatio Yed wrote:

I was reading your long post, nodding in agreement, so much so i wasn't even going to reply and then you said that.
Mick Monaghan is at the very least equal to Roby.

Whoops! Forgot about him lol. My apologies.