Looking at the present squad for 2015, it's really hard to say where we ought to aim for.
The inclusion of Danny Cowling is a definite positive. I thought we generally lacked a cutting edge in the centres for most of last season. Sam Doherty looks as though he has a bit of size about him - which I think is important or else the likes of Mr Yere (and other good centres) can just steamroller through you.
Leigh and Bradford look as though they could be top two material. Featherstone are probably going to be stronger than this year and could challenge them. London have had plenty of cash injected. It's perhaps a little harder to know how they will adapt to Championship life, but I'd be surprised if they don't make a good impression.
I'd pencil those four in for the top slots.
We're then looking at Halifax, Dewsbury, Sheffield and the Dons in the next batch of four?
The other four are Batley, Workington, Whitehaven and Hunslet. We know Batley aren't a bad team from the way they beat us at the end of the season.
Unless Workington, Whitehaven, and Hunslet recruit strongly, we ought to be quietly confident we'll finish above them. For me, how high up the league we finish depends totally on the signings we make.
I'm a strong believer that the forwards give you the platform to win matches. We seriously need some fire-power in the prop department. I'll feel better when Brett Waller is declared as signing for us along with a couple more impact guys up front. I like the policy of recruiting youngsters but props tend not to develop until they're a little older. I'd like to see some more experience in the front row.
Another area that has seemingly become more important is size of wingers for dealing with high kicks - both in attack and defence. I wonder what PC has got in mind in this area? Although Tom Hodson isn't the biggest, I hope he signs back on with us as he has pace to burn.
I've got every confidence in the Dons to recruit wisely. We know we've got a top coach and top team on our side. We've got more cash than ever but we're still relatively cash poor compared to the top teams in this league.
My target would be to finish top of the third tier of eight come the end of next season - and perhaps give us some hope that we could challenge for fourth place in the original league of 12. It's a tall order as we'll have to be better than Halifax, Dewsbury, and Sheffield to do it but I think it is a realistic aim considering we have PC and the guys at the helm.
The fixtures for the 2015 Championship season are released on Sunday 19th October 2014 at 9pm.
I can't wait for the new season. The new league format is going to make it the most exciting season for years.
