Remember how 5th place is supposedly the best place to win Super League from because it gives you the easiest playoff draw....



You get a home tie against the weakest team in the playoffs to start the playoff series, to get some momentum and form.



Then you go away to the loser of 1st v 4th who either lost because they are running out of steam/suffering injuries or at least are on a psychological downer from their week 1 defeat.



Then if you win that there's a fair chance you are going to be the lowest team in the semi finals on league position and so the one that the Club Call will choose so as to be least controversial. Then you have all the motivation you need because you can pin up on the dressing room wall the fact that you were chosen as Club Call and that will help you get to the Grand Final.



Although Widnes have got a game in hand on us we are now 5th and in pole position for this coveted spot. The main rival will be Hudds who are like us, a once strong team that is out of form a bit. They aren't to be underestimated but I think we could have a good tussle with them to get 5th spot.



And then if we get it could this be the year where with a good playoff draw we finally take the SL crown?

Or us being 5th just shows how poor the super league really is

Could do better. Way too obvious.

I expect us to finish 4th. Above Cas and below Leeds Wigan and Saints.

Agreed. It's far beyond tiresome.

I can see Saints and Leeds both dropping further points but not 7 or 8 points we need to make up ground.

Wigan I cannot see dropping points unless Wane plays kids before a CC semi or final and except to perhaps us. I think they'll be nowt between the big four.

After a disastrous start to our season, I see 4th as a very likely finish too.

We are very capable of finish the rest of the season unbeaten and win at Wembley.

Are you saying that you're currently that bad you should be further down the table?

I think it shows nothing more than our bad start.

who ever is top are champions in my eyes...its like winning challenge cup and bragging we are champs...there`ll be some on here who say different...

We don't look anywhere near Castleford's level this year.



I'm sure some expect Cas to implode but even if they hit some sticky form can you see us being relentlessly consistent and claw it back or will we still intermittently lose games and never get enough momentum.



Our best chance to damage Cas will be in the playoffs. You never know how Cas will react to the pressure of playoffs as they haven't been there before. They might go two losses and out in the playoffs, which would fit with the scenario I described at the start of the thread. We will beat someone like Hull KR or Catalans in week 1 and then go to Cas in week 2 with them feeling the pressure.



That would all things being considered represent a decent season for us: if we can make it to the Challenge Cup semis, and the semi final week of the playoffs, considering the players we have lost it will have been a good effort, and its not unachievable.



The hard part would be the semis. We are bound to be Club Call and I have a nasty feeling it will be Leeds Club Calling us, so we will be relying on Leeds losing their bottle in the playoff situation.....that's where I think we are going out.

Look at our front row and look at the rest of the teams in Super League and tell me with a straight face that it is going to go unbeaten.

Agreed we need a prop.



So long as TS goes Ratchford and Bridge at hb then their presence and threat will offset some of that lack in forward depth as it is doing now.



Until Wood can get back with his papier mache shoulder holding out, if we lose one of these half effective props, Unfit England and AsItEasi before Woody gets back then we could be shafted. If they stay fit we win.



I have every confidence in Ratchford and Bridge. They are the form partnership this month whether some of us like it or not.

I wouldn't swap either of them for any hb currently playing in SL. Although I'd swap a couple of props because that would send us up another level again.

Luke Walsh is head and shoulders better than Bridge

Strong, shiny hair will only get you so far.

And that was all too evident at the Magic Weekend. Walsh an Hohiah (sp) really bossed our backs!!!

duckie I am glad you are feeling more optimistic again these days. A few weeks ago weren't you warning that the 2015 season was the year we may well be seriously fighting relegation?



Now we're on for going unbeaten.....



I await the duckie line after we have next lost a couple of games and looked rubbish, will it be TS's fault and he has taken us as far as he can.....

Whether we finish 5th, 4th or any other position in the top 8 (except 1st) I'm not too fused to be honest .

I want some silverware.

For the first time since TS took over I don't believe this team is good enough to win some and if we get into the play offs we're more than likely to be shown up by one of the current top 4.

I think we lost too much experience / too many high performers at the end of last year and they've not been replaced.

Losing Briers was the killer blow imo.



We've won a few games on the trot and there is always a chance for the guys to improve to 'do a Leeds' an peak at GF time, but it's a faint hope.



I expect this weeks game against Leeds to show how much extra work we've got to do.

I think you and I have views that are more aligned than your shame would permit you to reveal.



My views were very much based on saying from pre season we had question marks over AsItEasi and England which unfortunately prove founded. I guess you agree SC.

On the hb I also said we have the best in SL. I always knew against the grain Bridge was that key.



I got shot down and nobody likes a smart y. But I wasn't wanting to come across arrogant or dismissive it was pure assertion.



That presence up the middle of Bridge and Ratchford will snuff out anything that another British hb partnership can muster.

Bridgeys form got him more attention v Wakey and that in turn freed up Ratchford.

What a fantastic threat we now have.



My optimism about going unbeaten is on the view that we don't receive another injury to a prop and Wood gets back soon.

We've no quality depth in the front row.

One big guy will do it. Then it will defo be 2012 again plus trophies for sure.



Come on the Wire!

i see that this praise of Bridges quality's at 6 are becoming more and more bizarre each week... im sure i also saw you in another thread claim his displays at 6 have lessened the need for a top quality prop.



2 weeks ago you claimed he had solved the goal kicking problem.



he is doing ok in a position he doesn't look fully comfortable in.. His kicking is poor, his distribution is ok, but nowhere near that of a quality 6.. yes he has a running game, but that's about it. and all of a sudden you wouldn't swap him for any other HB in the league?



the last few weeks have all been about Ratchford being fantastic.... You could argue that Bridge has helped that, but for all we know, he could have found that form playing next to Myler..... Bridge has filled in, done nothing wrong and deserves to keep his place... But please stop with all this over the top stuff. It's becoming ridiculous.

I did say that Ratchford and Bridge have perhaps ofset the lack of quality depth in our team, that doesn't however mean we don't need to address it.

I just said if we get another quality prop we will be the team to beat. That ain't over the top that's my opinion and I was asked for it.

But please post what you feel free to talk about.

As this will potentially be the last season under this present play off format i think that potentially Wolves could win a GF from 5th to 8th



I feel that this seasons GF winners will be from Rhinos, Wigan, Saints & Wolves irrespective of finishing positions in the regular season table

I'd say us and pies.

Semi final at best without an out and out midfield general

Are you on some sort of illegal substance?Unbeaten for the rest of the season you say!If I was a bookie I'd give you at least 250-1.Like your optism but come on full strength or not we will lose a few more games that I can guarantee.

If we manage to get past leeds we SHOULD be able to win the remainder of our home games. However, with saints and wigan still to play away plus a trip to catalans in the height of summer means we will NOT be going unbeaten. Ignore rubber duckie, he was one of the ones who wanted us to swap Waterhouse for Kirmond, so he's obviously a wind up merchant.