Re: SL 2021 predictions : Thu Jan 21, 2021 10:14 am  

Wigan
Saints
Warrington
Hull FC
Leeds
Huddersfield
Catalans
Castleford
Salford
Rovers
Leigh
Wakefield

I think this could easily be the most competitive and unpredictable year for a long time. Covid will play a big part in team selection and cancellations I imagine and I am excited by Hull's half back pairing. Josh Reynolds is a player the opposition teams and fans hate, he is ultra competitive and to have him and Connor in the same team is fantastic .If they click and Sneyd performs , we could well be looking at third spot. Rovers are undoubtedly stronger this year, but their halves look weak and although Ryan Hall looks like a good signing, watching him in the NRL, it is obvious he is way past his best and has lost a yard of pace so I think that 3rd from bottom is a realistic prediction. Wakefield will always struggle with Chester at the helm, despite the addition of Andy Last, Chester looked a beaten man last year and his players didn't look like they were united for him , I think we could well see Andy Last as head coach there after a few rounds.

Re: SL 2021 predictions : Sat Jan 23, 2021 9:52 am  

Wigan
Saints
Warrington
Hull FC
Huddersfield
Leeds
Castleford
Catalan
Salford
Wakefield
Rovers
Leigh

Saints and Wigan were easily the 2 best teams last season and have both got even stronger for next season.

On paper Huddersfield should be the most improved team but their squad depth is a big worry especially in the front row.

Think Lino is a lot better signing than he is getting credit for at Wakefield and will do well over here paired with Miller.

Re: SL 2021 predictions : Tue Jan 26, 2021 3:31 pm  

Dave K. wrote:

Or Salford, think both Hudds, Cas and Rovers will do better than those predictions.

I'd be pretty happy with 4th.

Don't be stupid we don't have any fans.

Interested to know why Hull fans have us down between 9th-12th? (and most only have us above just Leigh/Wakey) I assume the main reason being Watson leaving? I think Marshall could turn out to be just as good as Watto was and I've been impressed with him already. Appreciate we've lost Evalds, Lussick, Flanagan, Welham (who was vastly underrated), Dudson, Yates and McCarthy but we've brought in some decent players (J Burgess, Escare, Livett, Elijah Taylor, Darcy Lussick, Wells).

Our potential backline of Escare, Burgess, Watkins, Sarginson, Inu/Sio/Williams is one of the strongest in SL IMO and we've got decent injury cover there as well.

Our forward pack will more than hold their own and the only worry is in the halves/hooker. We're missing a bit of spark at 9 with Joey Lussick back in Aus and will be reliant on Kevin Brown staying fit although at least Patton gives us a bit more back up than we had previously (Atkin isn't an organising half).

More than happy to fly under the radar again and whilst 1 & 2 will be Saints/Wigan I think 3-8 could go pretty much any way. Personally can't see why anyone would have KR outside the bottom 3 and Leigh should be nailed on for the wooden spoon.

[Chris71]

Re: SL 2021 predictions : Tue Jan 26, 2021 8:44 pm  

SaleSlim wrote:

Don't be stupid we don't have any fans.

Interested to know why Hull fans have us down between 9th-12th? (and most only have us above just Leigh/Wakey) I assume the main reason being Watson leaving? I think Marshall could turn out to be just as good as Watto was and I've been impressed with him already. Appreciate we've lost Evalds, Lussick, Flanagan, Welham (who was vastly underrated), Dudson, Yates and McCarthy but we've brought in some decent players (J Burgess, Escare, Livett, Elijah Taylor, Darcy Lussick, Wells).

Our potential backline of Escare, Burgess, Watkins, Sarginson, Inu/Sio/Williams is one of the strongest in SL IMO and we've got decent injury cover there as well.

Our forward pack will more than hold their own and the only worry is in the halves/hooker. We're missing a bit of spark at 9 with Joey Lussick back in Aus and will be reliant on Kevin Brown staying fit although at least Patton gives us a bit more back up than we had previously (Atkin isn't an organising half).

More than happy to fly under the radar again and whilst 1 & 2 will be Saints/Wigan I think 3-8 could go pretty much any way. Personally can't see why anyone would have KR outside the bottom 3 and Leigh should be nailed on for the wooden spoon.

I think many have Salford lower down due to the number of changes and the loss of Watson. In the players you’ve lost I think it’s fair to say Lussick, Flanagan & Evalds will be big losses. Pretty much same reasons why a lot also have Huddersfield mid table due to large number of changes & new coach.
Rovers I think look improved though not difficult but very little strength in depth. Leigh are going to struggle and be surprised if they aren’t bottom.
Personally don’t know a lot have Leeds so high as they haven’t shown anything much for a few seasons apart from last seasons cup win.

Re: SL 2021 predictions : Tue Jan 26, 2021 9:04 pm  

Chris71 wrote:

I think many have Salford lower down due to the number of changes and the loss of Watson. In the players you’ve lost I think it’s fair to say Lussick, Flanagan & Evalds will be big losses. Pretty much same reasons why a lot also have Huddersfield mid table due to large number of changes & new coach.
Rovers I think look improved though not difficult but very little strength in depth. Leigh are going to struggle and be surprised if they aren’t bottom.
Personally don’t know a lot have Leeds so high as they haven’t shown anything much for a few seasons apart from last seasons cup win.

Agree on Lussick and Evalds although I think Lussick wil be the bigger loss (Escare is a similar type.player to Evalds so should slot in quite well). And Flanagan has been a fantastic player for us although you could argue that Taylor (4 full Kiwi caps) is a level above ability wise.

Also agree on Leeds. I just think people are often lazy and assume the "big" clubs will be up at the top and seem reluctant to base their judgment on strength of squad. Hudds have Watson and a number of new players but don't think their pack is anything special (Watson actually tried to take a number of our squad with him) so think they're some way off challenging the top 3/4.

Have a feeling Cas & Catalans may struggle this year (relatively speaking).

FWIW, I tipped FC to finish 2nd last year. They let me down big time! Hopefully you'll reserve some of your cr@p performances for us again this year.

Re: SL 2021 predictions : Fri Feb 05, 2021 11:56 am  

It's about time that we were champions again, it's getting on for 40 years, which for a club of our calibre is just not on.

If the title isn't delivered either this season or next, then Pearson should do the right thing, and bugger off. Get a winner in.

Re: SL 2021 predictions : Fri Feb 05, 2021 1:21 pm  

giddyupoldfella wrote:

It's about time that we were champions again, it's getting on for 40 years, which for a club of our calibre is just not on.

If the title isn't delivered either this season or next, then Pearson should do the right thing, and bugger off. Get a winner in.

Ever visited the planet Earth?

Re: SL 2021 predictions : Fri Feb 05, 2021 1:25 pm  

Wow who’s slapped your booty?
You’re normally seen as a positive club spokesman

Re: SL 2021 predictions : Fri Feb 05, 2021 1:56 pm  

Isaiah wrote:

Wow who’s slapped your booty?
You’re normally seen as a positive club spokesman

Lockdown cabin fever.

Re: SL 2021 predictions : Fri Feb 05, 2021 6:33 pm  

Sebasteeno wrote:

Rovers first 17 has improved over last season but if they get any injuries they'll be screwed as they have no depth at all

No depth at all? we've got decent cover in all positions except maybe prop this season.

Hull have probably got the smallest squad in SL, a Hull live article had you down as having a squad of 26 and that included three young lads so I wouldn't suggest you had great depth in your squad either.

You have hit the nail on the head though regarding injuries but that applies to virtually every team.