Predictions for the Middle 8 : Thu Jan 08, 2015 7:04 pm  

If we finish 2nd as I predict then this is how the rankings would look that determine our fixtures.
1.Salford (9th)
2.Widnes (10th)
5.Castleford (11th)
6.Wakefield (12th)
3.Bradford (1st)
4.London (2nd)
7.Leigh (3rd)
8.Fev (4th)

......we would then face Castleford, Wakefield, Fev and Salford at Home and Widnes, Bradford and Leigh away.....tough ask to get to the Million quid game with that fixture list.

If on the other hand, we were to finish top of the Championship (with Bradford finishing 2nd) we would then face
Bradford, Castleford, Leigh and Fev at home and Salford, Widnes and Wakefield away.......

I suspect that who ever finishes 1st in the championship will face Wakefield on the last weekend of 888 regular fixtures and then again, the following weekend.

[brian2]

Re: Predictions for the Middle 8 : Thu Jan 08, 2015 9:18 pm  

If your right, and I wouldn't argue with your logic - though I do wonder about Cas and the assumption they will be so much poorer in 2015. On the basis of your prediction top certainly looks better than 2nd!

Re: Predictions for the Middle 8 : Thu Jan 08, 2015 10:35 pm  

I think its very tough to predict the bottom 4 in SL, id put money on wakey and widnes, and if I had to take a punt id probably put the two Hull clubs in there. Think Cas will do ok and surely Salford will make top 8?!

Re: Predictions for the Middle 8 : Thu Jan 08, 2015 11:00 pm  

Tre Cool wrote:

I think its very tough to predict the bottom 4 in SL, id put money on wakey and widnes, and if I had to take a punt id probably put the two Hull clubs in there. Think Cas will do ok and surely Salford will make top 8?!

I think the Hulls have both recruited quite well this year.....Castleford punched well above their weight last year and I think they'll suffer this year and Salford........let's hope the Dr has plenty of blood pressute pills handy!!!

Re: Predictions for the Middle 8 : Fri Jan 09, 2015 10:42 am  

Could be any of seven really, but finishing top will prove pivotal I think.

Re: Predictions for the Middle 8 : Fri Jan 09, 2015 10:52 am  

Whilst the revolving door at my club has fallen off its hinges, both Cas and Salford have once again had a high turnover of players (roughly 10 each in both directions - ins/outs) which makes them susceptible for the bottom 4 in SL.

Its my view one of the Hull clubs will miss out on the play-offs, with either Cas/Salford making the 8 or the lower tier - I think most people are of the opinion Wakefield and Widnes will struggle this season.

TBH I hope Cas do make the 8. IMO they have made 2 very good signings in Gale and Roberts although the loss of Huby and Huaraki is immense. Meanwhile Koucash seems to have pinned his hopes on ex-Kr Dobson - the question is can he forge a partnership with Chase? If they click then they have the pack to get them into the play-offs.

As for the Hull clubs (and trying not to be too bias) apart from Minichello I don't think FCs recruitment is solid enough to make the 8, whereas KRs chances rest on a whole team coming together and doing a Cas - mind you Campese and Kelly do whet the appetite. Both Hull clubs have the packs to win the arm wrestle they just need their back lines to fire - IMO KRs looks the most potent and will scrape us into the 8.

Re: Predictions for the Middle 8 : Fri Jan 09, 2015 11:02 am  

On London's chances of finishing in the top 4, I am sorry to say I see you battling it out for 3rd/4th with Featherstone, Sheffield and maybe Halifax.

The Bulls and Leigh look the strongest squads and Fev have recruited well and are hardened battlers, not unlike Sheff. Going to places like Batley (the infamous slope) and Donny (the Fc link up) won't be easy and Hunslet's 'Rhinos' second string will cause a few upsets.

It will be a very interesting season, especially now my club have DR'd with Fax.

Re: Predictions for the Middle 8 : Fri Jan 09, 2015 12:42 pm  

Paul T - HKR wrote:

Whilst the revolving door at my club has fallen off its hinges, both Cas and Salford have once again had a high turnover of players (roughly 10 each in both directions - ins/outs) which makes them susceptible for the bottom 4 in SL.

Its my view one of the Hull clubs will miss out on the play-offs, with either Cas/Salford making the 8 or the lower tier - I think most people are of the opinion Wakefield and Widnes will struggle this season.

TBH I hope Cas do make the 8. IMO they have made 2 very good signings in Gale and Roberts although the loss of Huby and Huaraki is immense. Meanwhile Koucash seems to have pinned his hopes on ex-Kr Dobson - the question is can he forge a partnership with Chase? If they click then they have the pack to get them into the play-offs.

As for the Hull clubs (and trying not to be too bias) apart from Minichello I don't think FCs recruitment is solid enough to make the 8, whereas KRs chances rest on a whole team coming together and doing a Cas - mind you Campese and Kelly do whet the appetite. Both Hull clubs have the packs to win the arm wrestle they just need their back lines to fire - IMO KRs looks the most potent and will scrape us into the 8.

Campese really could go either way, and there's a fair chance he'll disappoint looking at age and form. Im a bit biased toward Cas as I like them as a club but they have a proven coach and seem to have a really good culture in the team of working for each other. Hull and KR are both strong enough to make the 8 and will pick up some good wins next year but I expect them to be inconsistent and lose a fair few too.

Not a big fan of Dobson, but they have a lot of strike at Salford now and will be able to get themselves out of some tricky positions with their pace as long as they're half-way competitive in the middle. There's still a big question mark of Iestyn though for me, knowledgeable and hard-working he may be but does he inspire his players?

Will be a very interesting season.

Re: Predictions for the Middle 8 : Sat Jan 10, 2015 9:34 am  

Tre Cool wrote:

Campese really could go either way, and there's a fair chance he'll disappoint looking at age and form. Im a bit biased toward Cas as I like them as a club but they have a proven coach and seem to have a really good culture in the team of working for each other. Hull and KR are both strong enough to make the 8 and will pick up some good wins next year but[u] I expect them to be inconsistent and lose a fair few too.[/u]

Not a big fan of Dobson, but they have a lot of strike at Salford now and will be able to get themselves out of some tricky positions with their pace as long as they're half-way competitive in the middle. There's still a big question mark of Iestyn though for me, knowledgeable and hard-working he may be but does he inspire his players?

Will be a very interesting season.

Good post

I agree about inconsistency but its also a lack of team spirit (culture) that has dogged both Hull clubs. For Rovers the high turnover of personnel (again) means the glue needs to be re-applied which is not conducive for consistency. Campese has been signed to bring consistency to Rovers play, if he disappoints then I fear we will end up in the middle-8.

Re: Predictions for the Middle 8 : Sat Jan 10, 2015 2:02 pm  

I agree Paul, but, lets face it, it will be immense for one club to overpower a SL outfit, it would be near miraculous for two to do it, personally I think only Wakey and Widnes have anything to fear, whoever the other two clubs are, I expect them to be far too strong for even Bradford to overhaul.