Quote bellycouldtackle="bellycouldtackle"Not sure why people are upset by the prediction, all the bookies, pundits have us, Hull Kr and Leigh to be the bottom three. From recent form over the last two seasons Hull Kr and us obviously should be predicted to be at the bottom. Leigh as with all promoted clubs also have to be predicted to be at the bottom. Looking at signings I don`t think an impartial judge would see to much at the three clubs to suggest they are not going to in the bottom three. ( think our signing of Nora does give us a better outlook than when GS made his predictions ). It would be considered madness if a pundit or a bookie predicted / gave odds for us to finish above : Saints, Wigan, Warrington, Leeds, Catalans, Hull, Cas or Hudds. Going on recent form the same pundits / bookies would quite rightly add Salford to that list, Grand final and CC final speaks for itself. It will be interesting to see how losing Watson effects them, most judges feel that Richard Marshall has been a great success in all his previous coaching roles, has served a good apprenticeship and should do well. So it leaves us with Hull KR, Leigh and us. Like others have said I like it when we are tipped to fail as its the only time our players seem to play well, as soon as I hear players start talking about top 6, that they are looking up etc it seems we always end up in the million pound game. Pundits and Bookies will look at Tony Smith and in their minds see a top coach so I think they will see him as the difference and tip Hull KR to finish above us. I thought Hull KR had a poor squad last season it has improved, they did play an expansive game which I think is not ideal for a relegation battle. So the pundit / bookie now has to pick between us and Leigh, they look at us over the last two years leaking 20 plus points a game, we have the better squad, will Leigh be more determined, will coach Duffy be able to get a desire and camaraderie going in the squad like Andy Kelly did with us, like Ward did with London . Will Last and Poaching be able to improve our defense, our structures .Will we be fit. So many questions. All that been said there is always one team that exceeds expectations, proves the pundits and bookies wrong lets hope its us. Overall I don't think GS should be criticized for his predictions there is an argument that they make sense. For me we have the players to prove the pundits wrong.'"
Cant argue with any of that Belly, although, Schoey ALWAYS tips us to finish bottom, even during our good times (when we were genuine play off contenders, something that we seem some distance off at present.
If Watson at Huddersfield can convince his squad and his many new signings that they are a decent outfit, they could be the surprise club this time and they will be pushing for a play off spot.. Mind you, it will be tough to get in among Wigan, Saints and Wire, plus, maybe Catalan.
Dont see either Hull or Cas being in the mix so, Leeds or Hudds pushing the top 4.
