Predictions for 2011 : Mon Feb 07, 2011 10:21 am  

SportingLife wrote:

CASTLEFORD TIGERS

Coach: Terry Matterson (since November 2005).

Captain: Danny Orr.

Previous finishes: 9th, 10th, 6th, 5th, 5th, 8th, 6th, 7th, 12th, 2nd in National League (champions), 11th (relegated), 1st in National League (champions), 12th, 7th, 9th.

2010 leading scorers: tries - Michael Shenton and Michael Wainwright 10; goals: Joe Westerman 82; points - Joe Westerman 196.

Biggest Super League win: 74-16 (v Salford, 2002).

Biggest Super League defeat: 68-12 (v St Helens, 2008).

Ground and capacity: The PROBIZ Coliseum (formerly Wheldon Road), 11,750.

2010 average attendance: 6,616 (down 874).

Record Super League attendance: 11,731 (v Leeds, 2004).

In: Richard Mathers (Warrington), Danny Orr (Harlequins), Nick Youngquest (Crusaders), Nick Fozzard, Jacob Emmitt (both St Helens), Martin Aspinwall (Huddersfield), Willie Isa (Melbourne).

Out: James Evans (retired), Joe Westerman (Hull), Mitchell Sargent (returned to Australia), Michael Shenton (St Helens), Ryan Clayton (Halifax), Michael Wainwright (Dewsbury), Liam Higgins (Sheffield).

Player to watch: Rangi Chase - the Tigers' star man in 2010 who will again spearhead their attack.

Rising star: Jonathan Walker - big, tough-tackling forward who caught the eye after making his debut against Wigan last June and is set for more Super League experience.

Prospects: With new licences being awarded this year, performances on the pitch are not the Tigers' priority and the loss of Michael Shenton and Joe Westerman suggests a season of struggle.

Prediction: 11th

To be honest, I can see us doing a lot better than 11th, what's everyone else's thoughts?

Re: Predictions for 2011 : Mon Feb 07, 2011 11:01 am  

I'd expect us to be in the mix for the top 8 to be honest although a first ever home SL play-off match will still elude us.

Re: Predictions for 2011 : Mon Feb 07, 2011 11:35 am  

I am going to stick my neck out and say 7th or even maybe,just maybe 6th.

Re: Predictions for 2011 : Mon Feb 07, 2011 12:14 pm  

Injury free we might just make the 8 but realistically 9th or 10th depending upon whether Salford as well as Bradford climb over us....I'll be disappointed if we don't finish above Crusaders.

Re: Predictions for 2011 : Mon Feb 07, 2011 12:21 pm  

You have to laugh don't you.
Everyone is going on about losing Shenton and Westerman but to honest, I'd rather have a good full back than a good centre, and I'd certainly have a good half back combo than a decent loose forward especially one who didn't want to be there.

Re: Predictions for 2011 : Mon Feb 07, 2011 12:26 pm  

who needs flankers? wrote:

You have to laugh don't you.
Everyone is going on about losing Shenton and Westerman but to honest, I'd rather have a good full back than a good centre, and I'd certainly have a good half back combo than a decent loose forward especially one who didn't want to be there.

I think we have actually strengthened in the centres this season too. Arundel is an adequate replacement for Shenton and Isa has already played in more games than Evans did last season.

We're clearly stronger at full-back, in the halves and at hooker too.

On paper the squad appears to have more depth and more quality which, with increased competition for places and resilience against injuries should allow us to improve.

Consistency and an improvement in defence will be key.

Re: Predictions for 2011 : Mon Feb 07, 2011 12:38 pm  

The biggest thing for me this year is we have key players in key positions. Its vital to have that "spine" which this year is something we do have.
1 Mathers... For me Our first reconised full back for many years, probably since Jason Flowers.
A very good marshaller of the defensive line, never shuts up. He's going to act like a defensive captain IMO.
Good at joining the line of attack, runs well with the ball too.

6 Chase.... Well not much to say about this guy, pure genius. One of the most skillful and elusive players Ive seen in a Cas shirt. Just leave to do his thing, with a lot of weight off his shoulders this season, going to be in for another big 1

7 Orr... Oh Dannnny boy!! He's back. More experienced than ever. This years Captain and a natural leader at that, going to take a hell of a lot of pressure of chase. Going to bring a lot more composure, when we've got that "lead", a lots less silly mistakes when its time to play ABC rugby.
Deep down bleeds amber n black....."could be" his best ever season.

9 Hudson/Milner..... Milner is more than capable IMHO to stepping up to a first team regular, showed some real quality. Going to allow us to rotate probably the more tiring position in RL. Huson for composure, Milner for break down tired defense's.

Youngquest.....A natural winger, lots of pace, something else weve not had in a long time

Emmit.... A real big unit, like a young deano, showed with St's last year including a GF he's more than capable.

Fozzard... Another big unit, An old timer. Might not get much game time, but when he does, going to give us some experience and go forward.

Isa... Dont know much about him THB. But for some reason, really looking forward to him playing. Seems a good bloke and a "team" player. Powerful and quick?? We shall see. Hope we unwrap another gem

Aspinwall... Dont know nothing about him really.. Highly spoken about tho from Hudd's fans.

Owen.... Going to be like another signing for us really. Just hope he continue were he left off.

One I am looking forward to see'ing a lot of this year is Walker. Not the brightest by all accounts lol this guy's pretty mean, really looking forward to his game this year.

People are saying were going to struggle without Shenton and Westerman. I TOTALLY Disagree. Shenton last year, just wanted to run out his contract, his heart wasnt there IMO cant remember him breaking a defensive line last year, might miss his defensive side, But Arundel who reminds me of a earlier shenton when he's got ball in hand, he'l do a job, might even out shine shenton.
As for Westerman, good business in my eyes, no way near worth keeping for another year to the tune of 100k plus, he would have only gone for free end of this season. Seem to have gone stale and a little of the rails. But both will have good seasons at new clubs.

Matterson..... The ships been stablised. Ive never knock him as a coach, but this year is time to deliver and go out on a bang!!.

For me....Dont laught, Im going for 6th Place. COMMMMMMON TIGERS!!!

Re: Predictions for 2011 : Mon Feb 07, 2011 12:58 pm  

Everyone seems to think losing shenton and westerman we are going to struggle. Do other people not see we have strengthened significantly? We have lost 2 major players who had poor seasons last year and we still came 9th missing out of play-offs with 4 minutes of the season left.

I think top 4 will be the same as always, Wigan, wire, Leeds and saints. Then hudds and hull for 5th and 6th then I honestly think KR, Bulls, Cas and Salford will all battle it out for final 2 places. I think Salford will drop out late as they haven't got strength in depth so I thing Cas, KR and bulls for 7 8 and 9 but not sure what order.

Re: Predictions for 2011 : Mon Feb 07, 2011 1:20 pm  

If we finish 11th I'll be leading the cries to not offer TM another contract.

8th should be our minimum goal this term

Re: Predictions for 2011 : Mon Feb 07, 2011 1:41 pm  

Play-offs minimum.

Arundel is going to be one hell of a player for us this year and could even turn out to be better than Shenton. Westerman was never really as good last year and would rather have Ferres playing there personally and have a cracking full-back in Mathers.

I don't actually read crap like that because just like everything else it's biased towards Leeds, Saints, Wigan, Warrington and they don't look much into the "smaller" teams.