Irregular HoopsMr. Zucchini Head: Irregular HoopsDave K.: Don't think it's impossible, need some luck with injuries and decisions.
League looks poor this year, probably only Rovers and Wigan capable of winning something, depends on injuries, Lewis amd Litten out and Rovers would struggle.
Be interesting game today, Warrington look pretty weak in the backs.
So far, the only team that you can unequivocally say is much better than us is Wigan. In time we will probably be able to add Rovers to that list, but they've only really put in one strong performance so far (I'm not counting the Salford game, playing Salford is as good as a bye at the moment). Warrington look like they've regressed badly. St Helens have only played one strong opponent and fell a long way short. Leigh are going well, but we showed the other night that we have no need to fear them. Catalans and Leeds are inconsistent, and don't look particularly good even in their better performances. Wakefield look decent, but still have plenty to prove as a newly promoted team. Huddersfield have looked ok in spells but they seem averse to winning and are already 5 points behind us. Salford are a car crash who might not last the season, and Cas would be nailed on to finish last if it wasn't for Salford.
I'm not saying we will finish top 6, or even that we should. But at this moment in time it looks very doable and I would be disappointed if the team are willing to settle for anything less.
Wigan as has been said are a class apart in SL, though in fairness our noisy neighbours will be up there behind Wigan as the two clear front runners but do think that Leigh will join them. Can't say Catalans have looked anything at all so far and McNamara has a lot of work to do and will be under pressure, would say similarly the same with Warrington who if Dufty & Williams aren't firing look to struggle. St's for me just don't look like they'll be able to mount a challenge under Wellens as that just looks a repeat of them under Cunningham.
As for Leeds I must in a minority as just don't see why many were tipping them as they don't really look much better than last season or have really improved the squad much, still seem pretty weak in the middle. Salford have just fallen off a cliff and no longer look to be the close knit team that served them well in recent times since the financial issues and drawn out takeover.
The above was what most had down as the ones to be challenging for the top 6
Think both ourselves and Wakefield have so far shown that neither will be an easy game for most. Cas look awful and very reminiscent of us post Radford with questionable recruitment and an inexperienced Head Coach. Huddersfield just not sure what to make of them so far but again not sure Robinson will get much of tune out them.
I know it's early stages but I don't currently think it's out the realms to suggest that given some luck and a relatively injury free season we can't be up there in the mid table fight.