Can see us in the top 6 and in the super 8 where a improvement on 8th is a must but if Radford struggles,then he will be a goner IMO.We have assembled a absolute monster of a pack for next season which should go better than last yrs pack which was up there in metres made and hope the backs finish it off this season,we was 3rd for clean breaks but nr bottom on tries scored until super 8s when we scored for fun.
As a Salford fan I'm reasonably confident this year. We have shifted the big time Charlie's to Leigh and feel we have signed some good hungry players. More focus on character than reputation. We have a good young local coach with an rl god as director of football. Hopefully with a more team approach and youngsters coming through we can push on for top 8. I think Dobbo and Lui can be a real surprise package half back pairing with some monster wingers to score a fair few.
Am sick of football now and need my RL back! Hurry up!
Top 3 Wigan, Leeds, Saints 4-6 Huddersfield, Warrington, Catalan 7-10 Cas, KR, FC Bottom3 Widnes, Salford, Wakefield
Each group could be in any order but cant see much movement between the groups, possibly Cas to make top 6 at Catalan's expense. It will be interesting to see how Leeds go, without Sinfield and Peacock
Also, we may just see Leigh gain promotion although they do appear to be stacking up a hefty wage bill and we know how that could end.
Always like this time of year…Huddersfield/Hull/Hull KR fans look away now!
1. Leeds - Losing Peacock/Sinfield is a big blow but on and off the pitch they have a fantastic organisation, I know Cas fans hate me for saying it but I admire what they have built up. 2. Wigan - The only team who could possibly overtake Leeds. In certain games though they need to control the aggression. 3. Warrington - Recruited quite well, and I think they've done well by not responding to knee jerk reactions and sacking Tony Smith. I fancy them to play Leeds in the GF. 4. St Helens - Big year for Saints, they have some good players, not entirely convinced by Cunningham but if they can steer clear of injuries they will do ok. 5. Catalans - They would easily finish in the top four if they once and for all sorted out their away form. It must be really tough on full time professional players having to fly for an hour once every two weeks right?! They should really look at teaming up with a centrally based lower league club (e.g. Dewsbury) and developing some training/accommodation facilities so the players get used to the setup for away games. 6. Castleford - Not as good as 2015, but I fancy us to have a good home record and pick off a few of the bigger teams. 7. Huddersfield – Sorry Hudds fans, but I’m a bit unsure about this season, how much longer can they rely on Brough to work his magic? 'Ferresgate' will affect them a little and I'm not sure Anderson has what it takes to push them all the way. 8. Hull FC - They would do much better if they had a proven quality coach. They have big support, often spent well on players and have also received some nice transfer fees lately, don't know why they stick with a coach who makes them play such boring rugby. If they brought in someone better they would be challenging for the top 6. Still, it's a playoff spot. 9. Salford - Slight improvement, not convinced by their recruitment and no doubt the 'good' Doctor will get them newspaper inches. Tim Sheens will easily guide them to safety in the Middle 8s. 10. Hull KR - Right, to begin with I don't know where this 'entertainers' tag has come from. Having one entertaining player (Albert Kelly) does not in my book make them entertaining. Will be tough to beat at Craven Park but do little away from home. 11. Wakefield - Another season of struggle. However I again predict them to be in Super League come 2017, you can't fault them for doing the business when it matters. 12. Widnes - Another coach who stays in a job despite having not done much. I've never ever rated Betts as a coach. Any team with Kev Brown and Danny Tickle (hope he is on the mend) should have done much better, and yes I know they made the playoffs in year XYZ. Not recruited well and if either of those two players are injured, they will struggle.
1) Saints: Even with a team full of injurys they still look good enough to win the league. Think a fully fit saints team will be hard to beat.
2) Wigan: Amazing home record of 2015 will carry on this year and will push saints close to first.
3) Wolves: Great for Wolves to keep Smith onboard as coach and with the players they have brought in and a good preseason will see this team really gel this season.
4) Giants: many think the loss of Ferres is a big one, but didn't really play last season and didn't miss him. The situation regarding Ferres and our two new beast signings will keep us in the top four.
5) Leeds: The only reason I think Leeds may finish here is because of there stars leaving (especially Peacock). They have great replacements but the departing players could turn a game when things were going bad.
6) Castlford: Best coach in the league will probley prove me wrong on this and they will finish higher. It will be another good season for Cas But see the teams above just nicking that extra few points.
7) Catalan: If these guys sort there away form out then they could be top 4 candidates, but they will probley fail again and will rely on home form to boost them up the table.
8.) Hull KR: Great team to watch last year showing some great performances. KR will make up the Super 8's
9) Hull FC: Good team, absolutly diabolical coach. Getting rid of him could see you finish higher but getting rid of him mid season could disrupt the team.
10) 11) 12). Widnes, Salford, Wakey
Will be a close bottom battle. I like Widnes, I just see the above getting more wins, Salford have a good team but last season still showed a bad mentality towards the club, and Wakey look much improved and could shock a few this season.
One thing that hasn't been mentioned in regards to HKR is that they now have Jamie Peacock on board. Granted it's not as a player or as the coach but I think that could potentially be one of the best bits of business any club have done for 2016 and I think his presence there will improve the club all round.
If Todd Carney can play for most of the season, and if big Dave Taylor and big Willie Mason can get into top gear, the Catalans will start winning more away games.
If Catalans can win half of their away games (7), and all but two of their home games (11), they will end up with 36 points and in the top four.
Likely Catalans team:
Morgan Escare
Krisnan Inu, Vincent Duport, Anthony Gigot, Patrick Richards,
Todd Carney Richard Myler
Jason Baitieri Justin Horo, Glen Stewart, Remi Casty, Paul Aiton, William Mason
Interchange: Eloi Pelissier, Olivier Elima, David Taylor, Louis Anderson
Reserves: Fouad Yaha, Gregory Mounis, Thomas Bosc, Lucas Albert, Julian Bousquet,
If Todd Carney can play for most of the season, and if big Dave Taylor and big Willie Mason can get into top gear, the Catalans will start winning more away games.
If Catalans can win half of their away games (7), and all but two of their home games (11), they will end up with 36 points and in the top four.
Likely Catalans team:
Morgan Escare
Krisnan Inu, Vincent Duport, Anthony Gigot, Patrick Richards,
Todd Carney Richard Myler
Jason Baitieri Justin Horo, Glen Stewart, Remi Casty, Paul Aiton, William Mason
Interchange: Eloi Pelissier, Olivier Elima, David Taylor, Louis Anderson
Reserves: Fouad Yaha, Gregory Mounis, Thomas Bosc, Lucas Albert, Julian Bousquet,
There’s a lot of “ifs” in there Jean .
Has Carney ever played for most of any season & the days of Mason & Taylor hitting top gear are but a distant memory.
On paper that looks a strong squad, but will the commitment be there from a number of senior players in their twilight years?
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