So most squads are set, we've had the Boxing Day friendlies & there's about a month till the season starts. What's your Championship League prediction and why?



1. Leigh

We had a brilliant team last year who fell (badly) at the last hurdle and we've significantly strengthened that. I do think on paper we have a Super League quality team, if it turns out better than the bottom SL teams and if they can play well when it matters we can only wait and see.

2. Bradford

Us & Bradford were better than everyone else last year & I think that'll be the case again this year. However while we've strengthened our squad with SL quality players I think Bradford have only added Championship quality, top level Championship quality but I'm not sure Bradford this year are a SL standard team.

3. Sheffield

Were 3rd throughout most of last season & going full time should make them better this season. However we know the teething troubles clubs can face in their 1st year full time & they have made a lot of changes to their team so will be interesting to see how they do.

4. Dewsbury

Every year Dewsbury seem to improve steadily and slowly, they missed out on the top 4 last year and if they keep it up could make the top 4 next year.

5. Halifax

They did well in the Super 8s last season but only just made it into the top 4 the last week of the regular season. Fev took a chance by not going full time last season and it didn't pay off, Fax seem to be going with a similar squad as to last year which just made the top 4.

6. London

Had a disastrous start to the season last year but then improved later on, still seemed inconsistent though. If they can get that sorted they could do well.

7. Batley

Seem to have recruited really well this year they always had a physicality about their team but have added some of Sheffield's playmakers.

8. Featherstone

Had to replace a lot of players and have had some minor cash flow problems suggesting they perhaps might not have been able to recruit everyone they might have wanted.

9. Workington

Always had a physicality to dominate the lesser teams but lacked any flair or playmakers to get past better teams, Sammut will solve this problem but is just one player. Think it'll be really tight in this part of the league & any defeats while Sammut is out could be very costly.

[Think it'll be very close round here perhaps with less than 4 points separating 6th & 9th

10. Oldham

Have been on the verge of winning promotion for years and years and have finally done it so there's no reason they can't stay up. Think they'll struggle to not be involved in a relegation battle all season though.

11. Whitehaven

Have held on by their fingertips for years now perhaps staying up more by luck than skill, that luck could finally run out this season.

12. Swinton

Hope they do better than this being a Lancashire team & with the Leythers like Duffy & Littler involved but doubt it. The Championship is a very strong competition & will be difficult for many League 1 clubs to break into.

[Think it'll be a 3 way relegation battle & will be very close between Oldham, Whitehaven & Swinton



That's my opinion, let the arguments commence

1 - Leigh - We won the league with points to spare last year and look to have improved since then. Top 2 is all that matters but with the squad we have assembled then top should be the aim.



2 - Bradford - Still look stronger than the rest. Gaskell, O'Brien, Clough etc are a class above in this division.



3 - Halifax - Need to carry on the form from the end of the season but recruitment has looked solid if not spectacular, kept the core of last seasons team together which should help.



4 - Sheffield - Not recruited as impressively as I expected after going full time. Not convinced the players they have brought in are any better than those that have left but going FT will surely help them.



5 - London - Expect a better year from them and they should be aiming for top 4 with some decent players and FT status.



6 - Dewsbury - Lost their 'talisman' in Thackeray but have made some shrewd signings and should go well again.



7 - Fev - Got plenty of 'flair' in Craven, Briggs, Taluapapa, Thackeray but seem to lack power in the middle to set the platform.



8 - Batley - Recruited well and picked up some great players from Sheff such as Brambani, Davey, Walker. Shouldn't be in any danger of relegation this year.



9 - Workington - Sammut is a quality signing and should be able to take advantage of the strong Worky forwards. If they click they could easily finish higher.



10 - Whitehaven - Look stronger than last year. Decent duel reg players from Widnes and some good playmakers in Dion Aiye, Grant Gore and John Paul-Brocklebank.



11 - Swinton - A few good championship players but the pack doesn't look up to Championship standard and can see them getting bullied up the middle by the more established Championship clubs.



12 - Oldham - Would love them to stay up but they don't seem to have strengthened much at all since getting promoted and have lost 2 of their best players from last season to Sheffield. Can't see anything but a relegation battle for them unfortunately.

1. Leigh

2. Bradford

3. Sheffield

4. Featherstone

5. Dewsbury

6. London

7. Halifax

8. Batley

9. Workington

10.Swinton

11.Whitehaven

12.Oldham

1 Bradford

2 Halifax

3 Leigh

4 Featherstone

5 London

6 Sheffield

7 Dewsbury

8 Batley

9 Workington

10 Whitehaven

11 Swinton

12 Oldham.

1. Leigh - Should walk the league and have by far the strongest squad in the league. Their pack was pretty average I thought last season but they have recruited well in that area so much so it makes their backs look the weak part of their team. I thought a lot of Leighs backs would not have looked out of place in SL which on my last note says how strong I think they are.



2. Bradford - Strange one really, no real chance of finishing above Leigh and pick up injuries they could easily get in a dogfight for 2nd, that said been FT and having a good squad like they have should see them ease in to the middle 8's without putting much pressure on Leigh.



3. Fax - To be honest I think we will be comfortable in the top 4 this season and I see us as the only team that could challenge Bradford for 2nd. Our team finished the season as a top 3 team and I see no one improving enough to beat us to the top 4 especially as we have made some good signings to enhance what was a pretty small squad.



4. London - I see them been more settled this year under Henderson and think they could pip the rest to 4th especially if they can make their new home a fortress.



5. Batley - Probably a bit of a shocker but Batley look to have a real solid squad this year, their pack was good last season but their backs were for the most part gash but a couple of good half back signings and a couple of shrewd signings in the backs I think they can make a real push for 4th although their fans would probably be happy just not flirting with relegation.



6. Sheffield - Obviously weakened their team by off loading so many players and having to replace them simply with whoever is available. I think this will be a transitional year for Sheffield and they will be in the pack chasing 4th although I expect them to miss out this year.



7. Dewsbury - Again part of the pack chasing 4th and was a coin toss between them and Fev for 7th. I went with Dewsbury because they seem a little bit more settled although Im not sure their squad has improved enough to have much chance of 4th.



8. Fev - They have a decent couple of half backs but thats about it, their pack looks one of the weakest in the league and wont lay any sort of platform for their backs and that will cost them badly. Probably not helped by having a pretty poor coach and I feel they will be on the look out again for a new one come the middle of the season.



9-12 Ive really not kept much eye on the rest of the teams. Worky seem to have put their eggs in one basket and might have been better advised to spend that money on 3-4 players who could have improved their squad. They have not a hope in hell of making the top 4.



Haven, Swinton, and Oldham will obviously be in the relegation battle as their teams are simply incomparable to the teams I expect to finish 8th and above.

I pretty much agree with GFB above. I'd say Fax or London/Sheffield for 3rd - 5th, all depends on how the new players gel at both those clubs, might be a slow start/ fast finish similar to us last season. The next places could be anybody of Batley/Dews/Fev though I think outside of the top 2 any of the next 6 could beat each other on the day. A mighty interesting division and loads to look forward to, bring it on.

We all have our opinions , not many the same , mine are .

1.Leigh.Maybe lose one game again all season , by far the best squad.

2.Bradford.

3.Sheffield.

4.London.

5.Fev.

6.Dews.

7.Fax.

8.Batley.

9.Worky.

10.Haven.

11.Swinton.

12.Oldham.

Should be another great competitive league,I think RM and Fax will be sussed out this year and Dews are my dark horses.

For once, I have to mainly agree with GFB. I don't know how 'fax will be 'sussed out' Charlie. Last season they did the 'sussing out' and were, themselves, very difficult to beat. I see them being very similar this coming season, and I would be delighted for us to be able to 'suss them out' two/three/four times! They have to be in the top four, for me, possibly having a go for second. (to whoever finishes top!

)

Charlie, just to let you know, Alan is rapidly becoming our favourite Leyther on this side of the hill.

If we continue to have the best defence through the season like we did last year then its going to be tough to suss us out if you cant score against us.

Have you become a Fax fan......can't see them being top four this time.

No predictions from me until we find out which quality players have signed for Leigh....when are the names announced and how many are there.

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Are you serious?