Re: SL Teams upgrading. : Mon Dec 17, 2018 11:40 am  

Anyone that thinks Leeds will bounce straight back into being the club that they have for the last 10 years are very optimistic, they have a tough few years ahead.

I agree with Homme Vaste, the only thing I care about is seeing Wakefield as high up the league table as possible. Wouldn't bother me if London finished 12th or 1st unless it affected Wakefield of course.

Re: SL Teams upgrading. : Mon Dec 17, 2018 11:48 am  

TheDreadnought wrote:

Anyone that thinks Leeds will bounce straight back into being the club that they have for the last 10 years are very optimistic, they have a tough few years ahead.

I agree with Homme Vaste, the only thing I care about is seeing Wakefield as high up the league table as possible. Wouldn't bother me if London finished 12th or 1st unless it affected Wakefield of course.

Exactly this.
Come on Trin !

Re: SL Teams upgrading. : Mon Dec 17, 2018 10:21 pm  

TheDreadnought wrote:

Anyone that thinks Leeds will bounce straight back into being the club that they have for the last 10 years are very optimistic, they have a tough few years ahead.

Won’t be a few years. 2019 we might still be bouncing back and may fall short of playoffs because we haven’t managed to properly strengthen in the front row, but was tough given the late nature of when Sinfield took over and Furner confirmed with most players tied up for this season. With all next year to get deals done for 2020 and us showing we’re opening the chequebook again and lots of talented youth coming through we’ll be very strong in 2020.

Like I said 2019 might still be a bit so so but also wouldn’t rule us out competing and being in the playoffs. That’s not because I think we’re the finished article or so great but I don’t think those clubs at the top are all that conquering and uncatchable. Leeds in 2017 and Wire in 2018 showed it isn’t actually that hard to bounce back for bad seasons.

The other poster said he can’t see Leeds challenging the top 4/5, but who really is that 5th club? Most would go with Saints, Warrington, Wigan and Cas in the top 4 but as previous seasons have shown it wouldn’t be a surprise at all in one of them got into a bit of a struggle and were fighting to make the top 5 and below those 4 teams I think it’s a too close to call fight for 5th between 4 maybe 5 teams.

Re: SL Teams upgrading. : Tue Dec 18, 2018 9:55 am  

ThePrinter is correct over the season you just cannot see Saints, Warrington and Cas not finishing in the top 4. Saints and Warrington have the best squads and Cas proved last season that their `back up `players are good enough to keep them in the top 4 if injuries occur. Wigan`s youngsters are the best and again showed that when the Wigan stars are missing the kids will do the job. The new coach at Wigan has massive boots to fill, could they miss out on the top 4 , maybe but never bet against Wigan. A strong case could be made for Leeds, Wakey, Hull, Catalans, Huddersfield and Hull KR to finish fifth. None of these teams will be easy beats, they have all improved their squads. I think it will be the most competitive season for a while. We could finish 4th or 10th and have played to our full potential.

[PopTart]

Re: SL Teams upgrading. : Tue Dec 18, 2018 10:28 am  

I'd even throw Salford in the mix for 5th with Hastings on board.

Re: SL Teams upgrading. : Tue Dec 18, 2018 10:42 am  

PopTart wrote:

I'd even throw Salford in the mix for 5th with Hastings on board.

Really? They've got a decent 17 with a few class players but only a squad of 24. I'd don't think their pack is good enough to be up near the top half of the table personally. If Hastings or Lui got injured they'd be in serious trouble imo.

Re: SL Teams upgrading. : Tue Dec 18, 2018 11:46 am  

bellycouldtackle wrote:

ThePrinter is correct over the season you just cannot see Saints, Warrington and Cas not finishing in the top 4. Saints and Warrington have the best squads and Cas proved last season that their `back up `players are good enough to keep them in the top 4 if injuries occur. Wigan`s youngsters are the best and again showed that when the Wigan stars are missing the kids will do the job. The new coach at Wigan has massive boots to fill, could they miss out on the top 4 , maybe but never bet against Wigan. A strong case could be made for Leeds, Wakey, Hull, Catalans, Huddersfield and Hull KR to finish fifth. None of these teams will be easy beats, they have all improved their squads. I think it will be the most competitive season for a while. We could finish 4th or 10th and have played to our full potential.

I could still see one of Saints, Warrington, Cas or Wigan missing out given how the previous few years have gone, it really wouldn’t surprise but of course they’re favourites for playoff spots.

Whoever finishes 5th will probably do so by a very fine margin, 1 or 2 points, maybe even points difference over the teams in 6th & 7th and I reckon 8th and 9th will still be in with a chance with 3-5 games remaining. Think it’ll be that close that towards the end of the season if you hit a bad patch and lost 3 in a row you could potentially drop from 5th down to 10th.

Re: SL Teams upgrading. : Tue Dec 18, 2018 12:16 pm  

PopTart wrote:

I'd even throw Salford in the mix for 5th with Hastings on board.

Can't see this... One player doesn't change the side that much.

FB - Sio
W - Johnson
C - Sau
C - Welham
W - Evalds

SO - Lui
SH - Hastings

P - Dudson
H - Lussick
P - Mossop
SR - McCarthy
SR - Jones
L - Flanagan

Bench

Nakubuwai
Griffin
Tomkins
Bibby

Leaving Josh Wood, Derrell Olpherts, Daniel Murray, Ed Chamberlain, Jansin Turgut and Adam Lawton. I know the structure is different this year but I wouldn't say that's a top 8 side never mind a side contending for 5th place. 1 or 2 injuries in the wrong place (forwards) and the quality is lacking massively. I'd say they need 4 or 5 more players, 23 isn't enough.

[PopTart]

Re: SL Teams upgrading. : Tue Dec 18, 2018 3:38 pm  

The point being that he did change the team last year.
When he played they looked to cruise the m8s.
Of course they are not going to challenge if he gets injured but I don't think they'll be at the bottom either.

I'll change my statement to being in that group said to be competing for 5th. That may be near the bottom of that group but they'll trouble some teams.

Re: SL Teams upgrading. : Tue Dec 18, 2018 4:29 pm  

The quality of overseas players in the league next season will be as good as we have seen and that quality is spread among all clubs. Can`t wait think its going to be the best standard SL season we have ever seen, so many real good sides.