Re: LLS, CC, GF - Predict Your Winners : Fri Jan 30, 2015 11:47 am  

I really can't see beyond St Helens, Wigan and Warrington for the three trophies. Our kicking game can't be as bad as it was for long stretches last year and we were close in all three competitions last year. St Helens will have consistent half backs this year but I think their pack is perhaps their weak spot. Wigan, on paper, are not that good but they seem to do it when it matters and Wane has them revved up. Huddersfield, Leeds, Catalans have all got match winners, but I think all three are a little behind the three Lancashire sides. My dark horse would be Widnes (for Challenge Cup only, though).

Re: LLS, CC, GF - Predict Your Winners : Fri Jan 30, 2015 12:22 pm  

I'm gonna hazard a guess that we won't win the Grand Final on the grounds that we never do and probably never will.

Re: LLS, CC, GF - Predict Your Winners : Fri Jan 30, 2015 12:56 pm  

But.. It's always our year?

[Uncle Rico]

Re: LLS, CC, GF - Predict Your Winners : Fri Jan 30, 2015 1:02 pm  

rubber duckie wrote:

Your consistent Matt

man of steel...?
England! ?

Not the usual Matt predictions RD, they could feasibly happen unfortunately.

Here's mine FWIW

LLS Saints
CC Salford
GF Warrington

I know I'm tempting the next world war to break out with my Salford tip, but with the luck of the draw...their owner must be seriously targeting some success with cash he's splashed?

Re: LLS, CC, GF - Predict Your Winners : Fri Jan 30, 2015 1:04 pm  

LLS-Saints
CC-Wires
GF-Saints

Re: LLS, CC, GF - Predict Your Winners : Fri Jan 30, 2015 1:37 pm  

Warrington for the lot. I can really see this happening.

Re: LLS, CC, GF - Predict Your Winners : Fri Jan 30, 2015 3:23 pm  

The All New Chester Wire wrote:

St Helens will have consistent half backs this year but I think their pack is perhaps their weak spot.

Interesting observation as most Saints fans, and Wiganers I'd bet, would put our pack as our big strength.

It's between Saints, Wigan and Warrington.

Wigan I'm unsure what to expect really. Lot of spotlight on them behaviour wise after last season. That aggression is one of their main assets. I also think they're one dimensional and teams are increasingly adept at defending that set pattern they play. If the aggression is brought down a peg, their side isn't exactly packed with ability. Don't rate their halves and they are rather prone to errors in the backs. Pack has been strengthened a lot though. Their back row is still their clear strength.

Wire have a quality set of forwards but I don't think much of the backline or halves if I'm honest. I think there's an element of confusion over how to use Ratchford, your big asset in my view and I don't really see an organising half that'll keep you in games with a kicking game when your pack hasn't rolled someone easily.

Should be a good season though.

Re: LLS, CC, GF - Predict Your Winners : Fri Jan 30, 2015 4:06 pm  

SLS wrote:

Interesting observation as most Saints fans, and Wiganers I'd bet, would put our pack as our big strength.

It's between Saints, Wigan and Warrington.

Wigan I'm unsure what to expect really. Lot of spotlight on them behaviour wise after last season. That aggression is one of their main assets. I also think they're one dimensional and teams are increasingly adept at defending that set pattern they play. If the aggression is brought down a peg, their side isn't exactly packed with ability. Don't rate their halves and they are rather prone to errors in the backs. Pack has been strengthened a lot though. Their back row is still their clear strength.

Wire have a quality set of forwards but I don't think much of the backline or halves if I'm honest. I think there's an element of confusion over how to use Ratchford, your big asset in my view and I don't really see an organising half that'll keep you in games with a kicking game when your pack hasn't rolled someone easily.

Should be a good season though.

your failing observations on the depth and quality of our "backline or halves" is far worse than that Chester Wires view on Saints!

Re: LLS, CC, GF - Predict Your Winners : Fri Jan 30, 2015 4:13 pm  

SLS wrote:

Interesting observation as most Saints fans, and Wiganers I'd bet, would put our pack as our big strength.

I might well be wrong. I do think our pack this year is so strong that any others seem weak in comparison. Our pack was good last year but lacked aggression on occasion. With Sims and a revived Westwood, I don't think we'll suffer with that this year.

I've just looked at your pack again and there are clearly some big hitters in there but AS A PACK, I don't really get it.

If you get the two halves and Lomax clicking (or even on the pitch together) then you'll score hatfuls of tries with the speed you have in the three quarters. Percival, Swift, Makinson may not have the glamour of Charnley or Monaghan, but boy they can move.

Re: LLS, CC, GF - Predict Your Winners : Fri Jan 30, 2015 4:43 pm  

The All New Chester Wire wrote:

I might well be wrong. I do think our pack this year is so strong that any others seem weak in comparison. Our pack was good last year but lacked aggression on occasion. With Sims and a revived Westwood, I don't think we'll suffer with that this year.

I've just looked at your pack again and there are clearly some big hitters in there but AS A PACK, I don't really get it.

If you get the two halves and Lomax clicking (or even on the pitch together) then you'll score hatfuls of tries with the speed you have in the three quarters. Percival, Swift, Makinson may not have the glamour of Charnley or Monaghan, but boy they can move.

What's not to get? Thompson replaces Laffranchi (his stats were better than laffranchis last season and he's only going to get better), Vea replaces Manu (pretty much like for like from what I've seen) and Greenwood replaces Soliola (alright this is the riskiest one, but it's no different to Warrington replacing Waterhouse with Laithwaite) - the kids (Davies, Fleming, Savelio etc) step into the bit part roles others played last season.

Basically the same pack as last year over all that steam rollered it's way to the trophy with no halfbacks ...