Whilst it's hard to work out how Warrington will pan out this season (I'd guess at 5th-8th depending depending on Geeson's influence in attack), the real mystery is Leeds. This year they have absolutely no excuses with the signings they've made, it's the real measure of whether their persistence with Rohan Smith will pay off. He might prove me wrong, but I just don't get the hype over his methods. In their boxing day friendly he went back to the old 'short kick off technique' which didn't seem to pay off (yet again). They could be top 3 but just as easily bottom 3 IMO.
Joined: Jun 25 2006 Posts: 14138 Location: Forum21
easyWire wrote:Whilst it's hard to work out how Warrington will pan out this season (I'd guess at 5th-8th depending depending on Geeson's influence in attack), the real mystery is Leeds. This year they have absolutely no excuses with the signings they've made, it's the real measure of whether their persistence with Rohan Smith will pay off. He might prove me wrong, but I just don't get the hype over his methods. In their boxing day friendly he went back to the old 'short kick off technique' which didn't seem to pay off (yet again). They could be top 3 but just as easily bottom 3 IMO.
That's the thing with Leeds - you just don't know. I have a feeling though they will win a SL title again before we do. It's in their DNA.
I think Hull KR could be in the mix if they avoid injuries. Catalan have a huge leadership void to fill with Tomkins and Pearce leaving in the same season, so I would expect them to drop off slightly despite a few good signings, so think they will be in the middle pot.
Leigh will be interesting to watch, Moylan is top class but brittle, wouldn’t be surprised if they were a one season wonder, but equally if they can keep that fight they they showed last year they could find themselves in the play offs. Leeds as mentioned above could go either way but have strengthened. Hull FC should be better for a clear out. But I would expect to be among the leaders of that chasing pack.
I think best case for us is to be difficult to beat and develop as the year goes on. Not a lot of change, Clark aside, in the key positions but I would hope that Burgess and Chambers have gone back to square one and to fix the systems and processes in defence and to completely overhaul the fitness regime.
Huddersfield could be in trouble. They have lost a few, brought a few in, but they just don’t look capable of doing anything.
Cas, London and Salford to fight it out at the bottom, cut adrift.
To put a slightly different spin on it - what does success look like for us in 2024?
I think i'd be much happier right now sitting here had Holbrook been at the helm but i'm sure Burgess will be putting everything he has in to this - i'd guess his ultimate aim is a head coach role back in the NRL, so a successful stint with us would help that. I also hope Chambers is able to put plans in place for stability behind the scenes and we see growth in the amateur, scholarship and academy side of the club.
In terms of position / silverware, I don't see us anywhere near top 2 of Wigan & Saints, anything less than top 6 not good enough. I'd like to see us rid ourselves of the complete lack of mental toughness when it comes to throwing away leads once the opposition gets back in to the game, and generally have a bit more positivity about the place.
Joined: Feb 10 2012 Posts: 6051 Location: Stuck in 1982
Spot on Alfie.
i especially agree with us trying to stop the collapse when the opposition inevitably has the part of the game when they are on top as this will happen in most games Having that mental toughness and unwillingness to yield easily, also affects your opponent's thinking and approach. .
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