Think the next few weeks in the lead-up to the half way point will be interesting with the likes Sheffield, Widnes, Featherstone, Toulouse needing to play each other.
I think the current top 6 will be the 6 at the end of the year, no idea in which order.
Wakey - A* Not much to say really, head and shoulders above everyone else.
Widnes - A
some of their fans thought they would be in a relegation fight, so to be second is fantastic. Coleman looks to have got them as a tight group. Think they may drop a few points in next few weeks. But think they'll finish in top 6 for first time since relegation which would be great for them
Sheffield A
great team. Final of 1895 Cup and they'll be in top 4.
Featherstone - A-
always thought they'd still be in the top 6. Ticking the wins off nicely. Some big games against Toulouse, Sheffield to come up.
Bulls - A-
We've played all the top current top 6 with now a run of games against sides that will probably finish mid/bottom half of the table whilst those above us have to play each other, so unless we have another York/Widnes debacle or the Barrow nightmare III, I expect us to be second (or thereabouts) come the half way point of the season.
Toulouse - B-
Looks like they're relying on IMG to get them in SL. Don't think they've really invested on the squad since relegation. Their home form normally is enough to have them in the 6.
Doncaster - B
Where I'd expect. Not quite good enough for top 6, but too good to be relegated
Whitehaven - B+
Talk of financial difficulties at start of year and looking like they could go down. some fantastic wins away from home.
Swinton - B-
Super competitive as always. Pushed Wakey hard (if they kicked the goals would have put a little more scoreboard pressure on Wakey) and got a superb away victory away at Toulouse.
Barrow - C
Where we'd expect.
York - D-
Had them down as certainties for the play-offs. They'll finish higher up the table than they currently are, but think they'll be desperately disappointed if they don't make the play-offs. Don't think they'll be a repeat of last year as I think the current top 6 will start to breakaway and they will have too much ground to make up.
Batley - E
Look in real trouble. Think they'll just survive but they've got to start winning soon -(sure it will start at Mount pleasant this Sunday when hey have the best game of their season)
Halifax - F
Despite the rivalry, i take no pleasure in this (Even if you read back at some of their comments after their defeat to us)
A years rent arrears ( that is not easy for a champ club to claw back) yes they've a few injuries, but they've a ridiculously small squad. If they end up having 8, 10 injuries at once like some clubs currently have they won't be able to field a team. They don't seem to be able to afford any loans. Widdop signing never made any sense!
As an RL nerd I watch a lot of highlights and coach interviews and my God Finns are tough to watch. He seems to hate the fax media guy asking him perfectly reasonable questions.
For example
Q: you said the boys are working hard to fix some of the issues, what issues specifically are you working on
A: you don't need to know that, all you need to know is we're working hard
Saw a comment on the fax board (so I hope im not misquoting him) that his response to Eden leaving was "well he might as well sit on the sidelines for Fev rather than us" I mean it's kind of thing you hear from a disgruntled fan. Not the leader of your team. All it takes is "Greg's wished to move on. We want players who want to fight for the club but wish Greg all the best"
Don't think Fax will go down, think when it comes to the crunch, they'll be backs against the walls performances.
Dewsbury - when you've got 42 year old still playing for you (and he really does look like a middle aged man playing now) it shows how poor you are sadly.
