Finally the season is here.....thank god!!
I think we really need to get to the GF this year to be recognised as a top team, The 3 around us have all done it. I think I take GF over finishing top and the CC, (but a trip to wembley again would be good!!)

I have a long list of wants for this season.

1. Rhys Evans to become a regular and show us the class we know he has.
2. Moz to get MOS.
3. Retain our League Winners Trophy.
4. Ratch, Hilly and Trent to settle in quickly and contribute to our success.
5. Beat Saints home & away.
6. Paul Wood to have a fantastic season and get the recognition he deserves.
7. Mr Moran to enter talks with Saints about a World Record transfer deal for Roby.
8. Mrs FB to start watching the Wire (been trying to get her to go for the past 28 years).
9. Monas M to carry on exactly as he was last season.
10.Rhys Williams to become our regular winger.

11.Reach the Grand Final

I think numbers 7 & 8 are the least likely and numbers 4, 5, 6, 9 and 11 being the most likely.

Want - 3 trophies
Expect - top 4 in the league, good cup run if not dealt with bad draws (eg Saints or Catalan away), and to be within 80mins of a GF.

To be in and win the GF you have to finish in the top 2, history has shown this.
Only Bradford (from 3rd) and one other team has won the GF from outside the top two.

Besides aiming for a top 4 finish is old Wire.

what happened last year then???

Apologies. Old habits die hard.

The pessimist in me says that we missed our big chance of GF glory last year....Maybe it was the the unique feeling of being the best side in the comp, but it sort of felt like we had hit a peak - I think a repeat season is needed to finally confirm that belief that we are truly one of the 'big boys' and that last term wasn't a one-off fluke.

Unlike last season, with our new recruits and departures, there is a bit more of a question mark hanging over the squad than 12 months ago.

Waterhouse will be a key man....Louis Anderson, though a decent player, was always one of those who I felt could be replaced and improved upon....If Waterhouse brings that improvement, then that will be a huge bonus - Similarly, if he turns out to be the next Tony Tatupu, then we could be in trouble, especially with Solomona's absence.

Ratchford and Hill will be useful squad players, but I wouldn't expect either to become key to our season, so a good settling in period would be ideal for them.

Of course, the gap left by Matt King will be crucial....We have the personnel to cover the position, but it would be fantastic if Rhys Evans could elevate himself into the sort of 'star' youngster that Tomkins has done at Wigan, or Roby at Saints.....Whilst being a huge attribute to the side, it would also shut up a few of those outsiders who seem to view us as a Man City-style, moneybags club, hellbent on just buying success.

Really couldn't give a toss who thinks that..

I suppose not, but if we are to be long-term big club, then we need the likes of Evans to become our 'star' players and not have to rely on a sugar daddy, who one day might not be there.

Please re-read my post