Expectations for 2021 : Thu Dec 17, 2020 11:34 am  

So, with all the latest comings and goings how do we think we'll do in 2021? In my opinion, we won't challenge the top 4 of St.Helens; Wigan; Leeds and Warrington. I see the next tier as being Castleford; Hull FC; Catalan. How Salford and Huddersfield will go after losing and gaining Ian Watson will be interesting. So that leaves us; Wakefield and Leigh. I think that if we can keep a healthy squad we can and should compete quite comfortably for a high mid-table finish and not be troubled about finishing towards the bottom. Or am I being too optimistic?

Re: Expectations for 2021 : Thu Dec 17, 2020 12:00 pm  

if we can steer clear of some of the bad injuries we have suffered in the past few years and a return to home fixtures we are in a far better position to at least retain a place in superleague 2022 and progress a few places up the table,this is our best squad for a while, saying that its a tough league and maybe 5 or 6 teams will be saying the same, more optimistic for the coming season though

Re: Expectations for 2021 : Thu Dec 17, 2020 3:33 pm  

As always I start off full of optimism, I don’t expect to be cheering them on at Old Trafford next October though I can dream. Eigth place will do me just as long as we fight for every minute on the park & upset a few of the contenders like we did this year with Saints & Wigan.
I think we have to trust the coach & the new board. I would have wished that the RFL would have had the nerve to leave the league at 11 clubs & promote the championship winner in 22 with no relegation, even add a team a year until we get to 14 clubs.
Anyway Happy Christmas to everyone & keep safe.

Re: Expectations for 2021 : Thu Dec 17, 2020 5:37 pm  

Im going to go straight in and say 6th!

[Mild Rover]

Re: Expectations for 2021 : Thu Dec 17, 2020 6:29 pm  

I’d like to think we could have a proper crack at 8th. We were really poor this year just gone, even by our own less than brilliant standards of recent times. Although, maybe strangely, it was less frustrating than the year before. How much us struggling so badly was due just to again lacking grunt or the ability to handle it, and how much to a lack of quality more generally, I’m not sure.

We’ve signed a lot better, in prospect, than for a while - although I’ve said that before, I’m sure. We probably need Vete and Sims to both play 20+ games. Fingers crossed!

Re: Expectations for 2021 : Fri Dec 18, 2020 9:32 am  

Kiljoy wrote:

So, with all the latest comings and goings how do we think we'll do in 2021? In my opinion, we won't challenge the top 4 of St.Helens; Wigan; Leeds and Warrington. I see the next tier as being Castleford; Hull FC; Catalan. How Salford and Huddersfield will go after losing and gaining Ian Watson will be interesting. So that leaves us; Wakefield and Leigh. I think that if we can keep a healthy squad we can and should compete quite comfortably for a high mid-table finish and not be troubled about finishing towards the bottom. Or am I being too optimistic?

I'd have Wigan and Saints on there own, they were both easily the best two teams and gave both recruited well. So I'd put Warrington and Leeds innthe same bracket as Us, Cas and Catalans.

There is always a wildcard, could Hudds next year. I think you have grounds to be optimistic as your overseas players are big upgrades.

Re: Expectations for 2021 : Fri Dec 18, 2020 3:35 pm  

If I'm being honest, I would be happy, or perhaps content to finish above Leigh, Wakefield and Salford. So that would put us 8th.

Looking back at last year's recruitment, and looking at this year's, god we had a poor squad, this plus Mose gone pre season, Garbutt playing in one knee, Quinny out for most of season, Crooks etc etc.

So without doubt we have come a very long way in 12 months. The squad is night and day better. If we can have a decent bit of luck on the injury front, no season (or career) ending injuries then we could pip Castleford or even Catalans????

Then there is the Challenge Cup. Like 5 years ago, who knows, a decent run, kind draw and it's anyone's.

My predicted table

Wigan
St Helens
Hull FC (sorry but new coach could be the key)
Leeds
Warrington
Huddersfield
Catalans
Castleford
ROVERS
Wakefield
Salford
Leigh

Re: Expectations for 2021 : Fri Dec 18, 2020 3:58 pm  

Rover52 wrote:

If I'm being honest, I would be happy, or perhaps content to finish above Leigh, Wakefield and Salford. So that would put us 8th.

Looking back at last year's recruitment, and looking at this year's, god we had a poor squad, this plus Mose gone pre season, Garbutt playing in one knee, Quinny out for most of season, Crooks etc etc.

So without doubt we have come a very long way in 12 months. The squad is night and day better. If we can have a decent bit of luck on the injury front, no season (or career) ending injuries then we could pip Castleford or even Catalans????

Then there is the Challenge Cup. Like 5 years ago, who knows, a decent run, kind draw and it's anyone's.

My predicted table

Wigan
St Helens
Hull FC (sorry but new coach could be the key)
Leeds
Warrington
Huddersfield
Catalans
Castleford
ROVERS
Wakefield
Salford
Leigh

Agree with a lot of that, except(unless my maths is wrong, which would be no shock) that would put us 9th, would prefer at least 8th, but prefer higher, but not the bottom three please. After the last few seasons any mid table would be an improvement, but as already said, we need some much better luck with the injury situation. Do not like the 3rd place option one bit and would prefer them to be 11th or 12th(see how they like it, and it might shut some of their keyboard clowns up) apologies to the few decent ones. I especially want our home form to be much better and to win the vast majority, and get the ground and the East Stand rocking again. Really like the signings so far, but what will be will be. Finger crossed for a better year. On second thoughts, 8th would be ok(ish), win all the derbies and then win the Challenge Cup. Yeah, that will do, then again I might win the lottery! Hope springs eternal.

Re: Expectations for 2021 : Fri Dec 18, 2020 4:46 pm  

Rover52 wrote:

If I'm being honest, I would be happy, or perhaps content to finish above Leigh, Wakefield and Salford. So that would put us 8th.

Looking back at last year's recruitment, and looking at this year's, god we had a poor squad, this plus Mose gone pre season, Garbutt playing in one knee, Quinny out for most of season, Crooks etc etc.

So without doubt we have come a very long way in 12 months. The squad is night and day better. If we can have a decent bit of luck on the injury front, no season (or career) ending injuries then we could pip Castleford or even Catalans????

Then there is the Challenge Cup. Like 5 years ago, who knows, a decent run, kind draw and it's anyone's.

My predicted table

Wigan
St Helens
Hull FC (sorry but new coach could be the key)
Leeds
Warrington
Huddersfield
Catalans
Castleford
ROVERS
Wakefield
Salford
Leigh

There is NO way Hull will finish 3rd.

Re: Expectations for 2021 : Fri Dec 18, 2020 11:46 pm  

Rubyred1 wrote:

There is NO way Hull will finish 3rd.

I cant see why not, I dont see anything to be affaid of apart from Wigan and Saints.

I'd say 3rd is open to quite a few teams.