Re: 2025 league predictions : Fri Jan 03, 2025 3:14 pm  

Jake the Peg wrote:

Once we're competitive, no one is choosing poorhouse lane over the MKM

Nah don't you know they've got a new 3G pitch. Heard Clearey, Hynes, Haas, To'o and Tino are all desperate to come over for a look.

Re: 2025 league predictions : Fri Jan 03, 2025 3:48 pm  

Dave K. wrote:

I think the last few seasons have taught us all to be cautious

or at least it should of, do feel alot more confident this year than last, as feel our facilities, off field staff and playing staff are streets ahead of last season. I said last year, we could do ok if the gambles pay off, unfortunately not one of them did and it was a diaster. We still have gambles amd need some of those to pay off, but no where near the level of 2024.

I do wonder if Smith gets another chance to coach, I think it would be a huge risk.

Earlier in this thread (in my standings prediction) I put us tenth, and that was a self-reflective act on my part due to the overwhelming disappointments of recent years. I would like to be more positive about 2025, but having been so badly burned these past four years I need to see some proof we've stopped the rot and turned a corner first before I start getting carried away!! We've been here too many times in the recent past for me to be too wildly optimistic, I've been watching us for far too long to ever be carried away on mere promises!

There are still a lot of question-marks and variables around us (as there are for a number of clubs). I'm simply going to take it week by week, game by game and see how it unfolds for us. Hopefully I will be pleasantly surprised as the year progresses.

As for T. Smith? You do wonder who, in SL, would take a gamble on him after his stint with us. It would have to be someone who believes he still has something left in the tank to prove himself again, but really not sure who that club would be. Huddersfield maybe? if it goes badly wrong for them and Robinson is dismissed half-way through the year. That's the only type of scenario I see Smith returning, or at a Championship outfit, and I'm not sure that would interest him at this stage in his life. He undoubtedly blew a hole through his reputation during his spell with us!!

Re: 2025 league predictions : Fri Jan 03, 2025 3:48 pm  

It would be interesting to know how the 2 local "power boards" stack up in terms of their wealth. Ours comes out at about £1/2bn. I think Dave Kilburn was worth about £100m. How much are hudge, sewell and mcnicol worth between them? I'm not sure if kilburn has ever put any money into rovers though?

Re: 2025 league predictions : Fri Jan 03, 2025 3:58 pm  

Top 5 for me are
Wigan
Wire
Saints
Leigh
Kr

The rest are open to question for mid table..
FC Leeds Catalan.

Personally think
Giants, Salford, Cas & Wakey bottom 4.

So a few posters on here are saying we will be behind Leeds and Cats,
It may happen but realistically I don’t think there’s much to choose between them.
It depends how much Brad Arthur can get out of his squad and managing the egos.
Cats have quality but can mcnamara get them to gel.
Tomkins pretty much made them tick but how many games will he play next season.
Cats beat us last season when we had a team full of kids, Tomkins being the difference.
Anyway enough of the positive attitude
Don’t want to upset anyone.

Re: 2025 league predictions : Fri Jan 03, 2025 4:00 pm  

Jake the Peg wrote:

One man's pessimist is another man's realist.

What difference will wealthy owners make with the current squad? Are we going to bribe the refs or something?

Unlimited supply of coffee

Re: 2025 league predictions : Fri Jan 03, 2025 4:40 pm  

boardwalkempire7 wrote:

Stop living in the past peg.
We’ve not had wealthy club owners before
We could search for a positive post from you but it would be like looking for kr’s trophy cabinet

Wealthy owners are not the ones who serve up the dross on the pitch which we have had to endure over the last few seasons.
Its all about players.
Whether Cartwright can get something out of what is a bang average squad with little quality remains to be seen but i want to see exciting rugby league and players with pace exploiting gaps.
There is nothing in this squad to get excited about and whether real money is available i dont have the confidence in Myler to recruit the quality we need.

Re: 2025 league predictions : Fri Jan 03, 2025 4:42 pm  

11th for me. Barron, Hardaker, Chamberlain and Briscoe as a first choice back line and Bourouh at 9, with an injury prone Abdull in the halves - just looks a bottom 2 squad to me.

Re: 2025 league predictions : Fri Jan 03, 2025 4:43 pm  

bonaire wrote:

Wealthy owners are not the ones who serve up the dross on the pitch which we have had to endure over the last few seasons.
Its all about players.
Whether Cartwright can get something out of what is a bang average squad with little quality remains to be seen but i want to see exciting rugby league and players with pace exploiting gaps.
There is nothing in this squad to get excited about and whether real money is available i dont have the confidence in Myler to recruit the quality we need.

But at least you went to the forum, where you has the chance to question Myler.

Re: 2025 league predictions : Fri Jan 03, 2025 4:44 pm  

I dream of us being average.

Re: 2025 league predictions : Fri Jan 03, 2025 4:51 pm  

Mrs Barista wrote:

11th for me. Barron, Hardaker, Chamberlain and Briscoe as a first choice back line and Bourouh at 9, with an injury prone Abdull in the halves - just looks a bottom 2 squad to me.

I don't see anything in the Cas, Wakey amd Hudds squad (plus Cas and Hudds, have gambled on coaches) to say we can't finish above them in fact I'll be disappointed if we don't.