Freely admit that I did not expect us to be in SL this season, the performances last season were shocking, we were an unfit rabble who gave not a toss. There was a change in attitude for the million pound game which was good, but in a strange way annoying as all we ask for is 100% effort, the players showed us that they could give 100 %, but why did it take the jeopardy of the million pound game to see it. I would have bottled the Tim Smith situation and played him, I would have been wrong but I just could not see us getting past a stronger than us Bradford team without him. Massive Kudos to MC for sticking to his guns. Anyway last season is done and dusted, best forgotten and the lessons learnt.

So what now, we have a well respected coach, we have coach who has obviously highlighted areas where we are weak and is addressing what he can, fitness specialist coming in for three months, training at Fev etc etc. I am hoping that BS is able to gel the team into giving everything in every game, Anakin, Scruton and Simon always gave of their best, I hope the rest follow suit. I want us to concentrate on been the very best we can be in defence, defend like our lives depend on it. I am sure that BS can give the players a defensive structure that they understand and they must take pride in their defence. I expect BS to appoint a new captain, we need a leader of men, we need someone who is looked up to and who is prepared to dish out hard words when required ( look at the way Sinfield, Wellans and Jon Wilkin lead their team mates, I love the way they got mad went the line was breeched and let their mates know about it ). We have not had a leader for years, could Topou be that man, that leader ?

Lets be fair no one can expect us to finish in the top 8, Leeds, Warrington, Saints, Wigan, Huddersfield, Catalans are not going to finish below us. Hull and Cas may very well make up the other top 8 finishers again . Salford have a top coach and some top players, If Campese and Kelly stay fit then Hll KR will be good, Widnes tonked us three times last season and in Kevin Brown they have a match winner, they proved to good for us across the park and they are in no way a one man team, I also think Betts gets the best out of his players. The other teams that finished in the bottom 4 last season have much better half backs who are match winners, we are shall we say steady in that department.

So we may play well next season and still finish 12th, as long as I see 100 % effort , players not getting picked on reputation alone, players looking fit and busting to play and defending for their lives then I can accept 12th. From where we were last season, 12th and playing like we care would be a big improvement. What we need is to ensure that we are in a position, if required to not be involved in the million pound game. That would be a massive improvement. What is 100 % clear is that Leigh will be a handful with Hansen, Patterson and Chase in their ranks, Bradford will be better and Sheffield going full time will again be strong.

My expectations are a for a much more competitive team ( should not be difficult to achieve ). My hope is that we play with pride and 100% effort and that we avoid the million pound game.

Fair post much of it I agree with.
I think we will see a different attitude next season.

Nice one Belly your most positive post for some time.
Not to be in the million pound game will do for starters but, to go from tailed off last to the top 8 would be a modern day miracle.
IF we can be in the mix for 7/8/9/10 it would be excellent but, the "qualifiers" will be far tougher next season

Look what Cas did in a short time by bringing in a reasonable squad under a well-respected and knowledgeable coach, Wrencat. The same could well happen at Belle Vue.

True Redscat,let's hope so eh.

More reasonable than normal. Two points I don't agree with though.

One, even without Tim Smith Bradford were never a stronger side than us, although I do concede the gap was narrowed to much for comfort.

Two, I very much think 8th place is attainable if the team gels and injuries are few. I can't see why anyone would think otherwise or why they would want to - we have to have ambition however limited. Where we probably do agree is that 8th spot is where it will stop, can't really see any chance of progression in the play off proper.

Only other possible avenue for some success is a very easy CCup draw which could maybe see us get a Semi-Final place. Probably wouldn't want to get past that if a top 4 club was waiting at Wembley - another HKR situation that would do us little good other than the money we'd make which I know matters but sometimes sadly it's not worth it. If in my life time I ever go to Wembley I want it to be with a real chance of winning.

Long shot whatever happens so 8th spot must be the main goal,

To be competitive so that I enjoy the games. That's why I watch.

That's definately a good start Slugger.

Vastman you honestly feel that looking at the two teams, on paper, who made up the 17 man squads that we had the stronger squad, as usual you are wrong again. Anyway as I say last season is done and dusted and its fun to look forward. I hope that for once you are correct and 8th is achievable.

Seeing as we beat them twice yeh id say we definitely had the better team