The Times ... timesonline.typepad.com/rugby_le ... try-3.html

The Times ... timesonline.typepad.com/rugby_le ... try-3.html

Nah, Leeds may be languishing at the bottom with a depleted squad now numbering 12 but they "will still win SL."



"Forward." - that's two quotes from the south stand.

lol



do you really blame leeds fans for being confident?



We've played in every grand final bar 1, since 2004. If we were calling it the apocalyspe you'd say we were fickle.



If we had a full squad and this was happening than naturally there'd be doubts.



But it's blatantly obvious once we get bodies back we'll move up the table and be contenders.

Is that when grand finals started to be played, 2004.......... mmmmm

In order to move up the table you have to play and beat the teams above as well as below you in the table or they that are above you have very bad luck and lose to other teams. Just getting bodies back will not ensure that you rise to any great heights in the league table, though I suspect that you will be in the top 8 come the end of the season

I think Leeds will comfortably be in the top 8 come the end of the season, but what is happening is that other teams are beating (albeit a depleted team through injurues) Leeds.



For clubs like mine we have had a mental block with them, this is now broken as we know we can and have beaten them.



Other clubs will also do the same and will be better prepared mentally when they play them later in the season.



I do think this season we will see a number of clubs who can genuinely think of themselves as GF winners, this has got to be good for RL and will help promote the game amongst the media.

William Hill can stick their odds of 9/4 of Wigan winning the Grand Final, that's for sure. They've started well and are genuine contenders as I expected them to be but there is a strong case for 5 or maybe 6 teams to be champions come October. I think we're in for the most unpredictable SL ever.

We're 9/4?



That really suprises me tbh. I wouldn't touch us anything below 4/1 or 5/1 even after our start because we've still got an awful lot to prove.



Leeds still slight faves for the title imo followed by Saints and then Wigan and Wire. It's basically the same order as before the season for me.

I still think leeds will be the team to beat this year. They have players out like we have. Last night was huge effort by leeds against a strong wigan side.



When the likes of sinfield, peacock, lulu and ablett are back there pack will be very very strong again. They can win it from anywhere in the top eight. I think they will come top 4.



Us and leeds have had our injury problems this year, both playing games with 6,7 or 8 players out but still compete. Saints went to hull kr with a lot of kids and was unlucky not to come away with the points. Leeds had 8 put against hull kr last week and lost by only 7 points.



Wigan will have and other teams have been pretty lucky so far with injuries but it's how you deal with them, that will be very important this year.

I would agree with that pal. Lets see if wigan can continue this form when they get there injury spell that all teams have. I think saints, leeds, wigan and warrington can win the grand final from anywhere in top 8.

I really can't pick it. The addition of Brough to Huddersfield ranks gives them a huge chance as well. It may well be the same order as last season but there's a gnats bollock between the lot of 'em!



I really feel that it may come down to the team with least injuries in October as it stands. Plenty of rugby to be played before then obviously but I don't seen any one team running away with the shield and SAints could conceivably come anywhere from 1st to 5th as far as I'm concerned.

Let's have a look at Leeds last night and see if the same happened to Wigan how it would look.

Five Internationals in the backs played, with a winger and centre missing.



If that was Wigan we would bring in Ainscough and put Goulding to centre.

Leeds had two props missing.

Wigan could start with O'Carroll and Prescott and still have Feka on the bench.

Leeds had Eastwood, Sinfield and Ablett missing.

Wigan could have Hansen, Bailey and O'Loughin out, and still have Mossop, Joel Tomkins and Liam Farrell.



This is Leeds first choice 17

Webb

Hall

Senior

Delaney

Donald

Mcguire

Burrow

Peacock

Buderus

Leuleui

Jjb

Ablett

Sinfield



Beastwood

Ali

Bailey

Diskin.

If it was first past the winning line, Leeds would not have lost as many as they have upto now. Just goes to show that you can take it easy for certain parts of the season and still make the semi's, grand final....



Jez if it was the same in Footy, you'd even put money on Liverpool!!!



Fully fit Leeds will win it again...