Re: Odds On for 2023 : Fri Jan 20, 2023 8:38 am  

Trojan Horse wrote:

My favourite for the drop is Warrington. They were very poor last year and other than a few props still don’t look like much to me. I think Powell lost the plot and the dressing room last year. If they don’t start well he will be gone and there’s massive pressure on them.

Leigh have the weakest squad in SL imo.

A left edge of Chamberlain and Briscoe? I mean really.

Players like Mellor, Wardle etc that have never been good enough for SL.

Luetele was a bit of a one season wonder at Hudds.

They did well vs part time players but this is SL and a number of their players have a lot to prove.

I can`t see Warrington been anywhere near as bad as last year mate, but you never know. Powell has made some pretty bold moves with getting rid of some of the players he has throughout last year but that`s probably because he had lost the dressing room. I think Wire will have a steady unspectacular season which will still see them get rid of Powell by the end of the year.

I put our squad list against Leighs and whilst there is obviously bias here, I genuinely wouldn`t swap many out at all, I came to pretty much the same analysis as you on the likes of Mellor etc, they are paper thin in the forwards for me and they are heavily reliant on players that have showed in the past that they are anything but reliable i.e. Hardaker. For positive balance I think O,Brien provides them with quality cover across the spine, I like there hooker although how he goes week in week out in SL is still unknown and I think Luetele is quality on last years form.

Re: Odds On for 2023 : Fri Jan 20, 2023 8:38 am  

FIL wrote:

I got told today by someone who did the hospitality package last Sunday that Kelepi was the guest speaker and was asked if there was any difference about this pre-season to last years??.
Apparently he replied to the effect that they are actually doing some proper training this time around whereas last year they didn't and that all the players feel much better for it
Don't know if anyone on here can confirm that ??

This is true, pretty sure willy mentioned it himself on the Trinity heritage podcast as well as the strength and conditioning coach who was on last year.

Apparently, this was a 'new way of thinking'

Re: Odds On for 2023 : Fri Jan 20, 2023 8:40 am  

Big changes at Cas as well, it may take them some time to get up to speed and there seems to be rumours circulating amongst there fans that Radford is only there for the short term which may unsettle them.

Re: Odds On for 2023 : Fri Jan 20, 2023 8:53 am  

Prince Buster wrote:

Just had a look at our odds. We are 7/4 favourites to get relegated. I think that's disrespectful with our squad this season.

It's not disrespectful at all, these companies are out to make money. Bookies aren't often wrong...

We are favourites for a reason. Remember if Uncle Derek is not going too well towards the end of season, and we are neck and neck, who has the deep pockets to bring a couple of worldy overseas players in on a short term contract to keep them up?

Re: Odds On for 2023 : Fri Jan 20, 2023 9:10 am  

BackSeatCoach wrote:

It's not disrespectful at all, these companies are out to make money. Bookies aren't often wrong...

We are favourites for a reason. Remember if Uncle Derek is not going too well towards the end of season, and we are neck and neck, who has the deep pockets to bring a couple of worldy overseas players in on a short term contract to keep them up?

They`re often wrong with this though tbf, in fact they've been wrong every time, we have probably been favourites for the drop what, 10 out of the last 12 years? Lets hope that continues

Re: Odds On for 2023 : Fri Jan 20, 2023 9:13 am  

homme vaste wrote:

They`re often wrong with this though tbf, in fact they've been wrong every time, we have probably been favourites for the drop what, 10 out of the last 12 years? Lets hope that continues

Obviously I'm 100% with you on that one...

I just hope we don't ride our luck too many years...as you say, 10 out of 12!

Re: Odds On for 2023 : Fri Jan 20, 2023 11:44 am  

BackSeatCoach wrote:

It's not disrespectful at all, these companies are out to make money. Bookies aren't often wrong...

We are favourites for a reason. Remember if Uncle Derek is not going too well towards the end of season, and we are neck and neck, who has the deep pockets to bring a couple of worldy overseas players in on a short term contract to keep them up?

True, but who's to say that it will be us that they are chasing?
It's a pity there isn't a market for Hardaker to go AWOL or something - I'd have a few quid on that!

Re: Odds On for 2023 : Fri Jan 20, 2023 1:24 pm  

Looking at the squads I expect t us to be in another dog fight at the foot of the table.

I expect Leigh, Cas and possibly KR to be in that scrap with us.

The last few months of positive recruitment I feel have made us competitive but I still expect it to be a tough season.

Leigh have a few headline signings but look very weak in other areas particularly at 6 on the wings and secondrow I looked at their squad and was pretty underwhelmed given it’s supposed strength.

As I said at the start of last year the next 2 seasons would be huge for Trinity on and off the field and if we can survive in SL I think with all the positive off field progress we have a genuine opportunity to push the club into the next mini tear of mid table teams.

I hope I’m wrong but I do think 23 will be a very tough session, however we have the squad to be competitive.

Re: Odds On for 2023 : Fri Jan 20, 2023 9:37 pm  

I’m hoping that Trinity are really lucky with injuries due to having a relatively small squad.

Need key players like Lino,Smith,Lynne, Proctor,Atoni, Whitbread,Murphy,Langi and Taufua to play key roles week in week out and be on form if the team is to stay in SL…

Re: Odds On for 2023 : Fri Jan 20, 2023 9:44 pm  

Injuries will play apart no doubt about that if we lose 4 or 5 key players we have problems that can be said about other teams though leigh for all there big spending have a small squad and salford lose 2 or 3 big players they will struggle too there already down to 23 fit players, we also have a good academy and reserves set up unlike those clubs.i agree with john though this year is massive stay up with the ground and every other postive coming out of the club we will get stronger next year