Runners and riders
By Willie
August 2 2014
It will not be long before the 2014/2015 season is upon us. Last season was a thriller . London Welsh were promoted and Ealing Trailfinders were relegated. This season we welcome Worcester and Doncaster to the Championship. Who will get promoted? Who will be relegated? Here is my take on things...
BEDFORD BLUES: Had a really poor season last time out. Usually the most consistent side in the division but they have a lot to do to get back to that position. I think that they will improve this season but cannot see them higher than mid-table. Prediction: 7th
BRISTOL: My favourites for promotion last season and they are again. Stormed through the regular season playing great attacking rugby only to be undone by London Welsh in the play-off final.They will have learned from that experience. Have made some quality signings in readiness for the coming season. New ground. New approach? Prediction: Promoted!
CORNISH PIRATES: Another of the consistent sides in the division but last season they were a side in transition. A relatively young side finished a creditable 6th. I expect them to go one better this time. Prediction: 5th
DONCASTER KNIGHTS: I was surprised when Doncaster got relegated. However they took National 1 at a gallop and are back where I think they belong(for now) Promoted sides often struggle but the Knights have been here before so will know what to expect. Prediction: 11th
JERSEY: Struggled last time out and just avoided the drop. Have brought in some interesting players. If Bentley can regain his Pirates form then the islanders will do well. The two Argentinian forwards will boost the pack. A mid-table finish after a season of consolidation beckons. Prediction: 6th
LONDON SCOTTISH: The exiles had their best season to date , finishing 5th and for much of the season contesting a play-off place. Their progress up the division has been steady but they finally have contender credentials. I expect them to be in the play-offs this coming season. Prediction: 3rd
MOSELEY: The midlanders confounded their critics with a solid season, finishing 7th. I see no reason why the Billesley boys will not continue to banjax their doubters in the next 8 months. Prediction: 8th
NOTTINGHAM: The penniless foresters had a miserable time of it. After the double header it was mainly downhill, finishing 10th. I have a feeling that this will be another tough season for Notts. Prediction: Relegated!
PLYMOUTH ALBION: The Janners are a difficult side to make any predictions about. I fancied them to do well last season but they proved to be very inconsistent and finished up in the bottom four. Whilst they never looked like going down I think another season near the foot of the table beckons. Prediction: 9th
ROTHERHAM TITANS: Roth had a great season. Lee Blackett looked the business with a play-off place achieved in his first full season as a coach. The loss of gnarly old heads Toala and Williamson will reduce the effectiveness of their forwards just as the departure of a number of players to the AP will have a detrimental effect on the side. A tough season ahead at Clifton Lane methinks. Bottom four material. Prediction: 10th
WORCESTER WARRIORS: Wuss had an awful time of it last season but they were in the AP. The relegated side often dominates the Championship and the Warriors have recruited some talent. However a big turnover of players is a definite handicap and there is a serious rival just down the M5. Prediction: 2nd
YORKSHIRE CARNEGIE: The most unpopular club in the county are having a weird close season. With 2 weeks to their only pre-season game the club are without a head coach. A couple of old heads, Jones and Tidswell will stop the pack getting bullied but a lot depends on new 9, Chris Pilgrim, following the departure of Hampson to Bristol. If he can deliver then the backs may once again rampage. A shakey start with a strong finish looks favourite. Prediction: 4th
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:08:29:18:03:22 by Wildwillie .
I don't share your thoughts on Roth, I see them scrapping it out with us and Bedford for 4th place. Relegation will come from the midlands, but maybe Moseley will get found out this time.
Back to Yorkshire Carnegie, the forwards will do OK barring injuries, but I really fear for the backs. I don't see any magic amongst them. It looks like a stuff-it-up-the-jumper squad to me. Hope I'm wrong!
Miserati - and Proud to be!
You state leeds are the most hated club in the country. You aren't exactly helping the cause with this. Everyone's entitled to their opinion but 10th???? Roth have retained more players than ever...
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:08:02:13:00:05 by Mooseman.
For Bris, as always,he entire season will come down to those 4 play off games. They'll be in the top 4 at a canter but have they developed the mental strength to overcome their play off demons? If we don't do it I'd like to see them go up.
I think we have a good squad this year, better than last season due to a better blend of youth and experience. As previously stated I'm encouraged by the fact that there are no loanees and I think Willie has got it spot on when he say that a lot depends on Chris Pilrims ability to fill Hampos boots.
Unfortunately though the off the field shenanagins threaten to sabotage what could be a successful season on the field. We''ll see I guess.
Quote:Mooseman
April fools day?? Terrible report regarding rotherham.
You state leeds are the most hated club in the country. You aren't exactly helping the cause with this. Everyone's entitled to their opinion but 10th???? Roth have retained more players than ever...
Well you would say that wouldn't you Moose? It is just my personal opinion. Do you want me to lie so as not to hurt your feelings? I said Carnegie are the most hated club in the county. Sucking up to you lot will not change anyone in Rotherham or Doncasters' opinion of my club so I will just be honest.
Williamson and Alfie are calculated losses. I would have loved for them to stay but they are more than mitigated by the signings made.
I'll apologise if Roth finish 10th or below...And yes I would say it as a Roth fan but otherwise your predictions seem ok. The Roth prediction stands out like a sore thumb.
I also think Carnegie have a got a better squad than people think. A good mix of youth and experience
Quote:yorkie ba
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I also think Carnegie have a got a better squad than people think. A good mix of youth and experience
...yes but we do not know how well the new lads will fit in. Can "Big Dave" fill "Wee Stevie's" boots. Will the game management be better with Chris Jones in the pack? Who will be skipper? What style will the new coach adopt?
So many unanswered questions!
This will be a big season in more ways than one. There's a few in the forwards at least deserve a crack in the Prem and may need to do some soul-searching if we don't go up this time.
Miserati - and Proud to be!
Roth had a great season.
agreed they did. They have retained more players than ever from this great season.
Lee Blackett looked the business with a play-off place achieved in his first full season as a coach.
and Roths biggest asset lee Blackett is still coach this season. A coach I'm sure leeds would die for?
The loss of gnarly old heads Toala and Williamson will reduce the effectiveness of their forwards
see my previous comment. The biggest loss was Laurence Pearce midway through last season. Alfie was great but couldn't play a full match.
A fair point would be Roth don't have a tested championship ball carrier but they have signed William Ryan from Ireland. I'll give you that point
just as the departure of a number of players to the AP will have a detrimental effect on the side.
Sanderson the biggest loss to Worcester as he gave Roth their best lineout for years. Perry Parker looks an excellent replacement and has more pedigree than Dan did when he came to Roth.
Mulchrone also is a loss but often swapped with Dan white.
Socino is irreplaceable but the re-signing of James McKinney from Ulster makes up for this as much as could be expected
A tough season ahead at Clifton Lane methinks. Bottom four material. Prediction: 10th
The biggest reason why Roth will finish above 10th....the final 15 to take the field v Bristol in the playoffs was:
Sean Scanlon; Jamie Broadley, Joel Gill, Jack Roberts, Michael Keating; Juan Pablo Socino, Charlie Mulchrone (Capt.); Toby Williams, Tom Cruse, Colin Quigley, Tom Holmes, Josh Thomas-Brown, Alex Rieder, Jack Preece, Alfie To'oala.
10 still play for Roth. I would say this is a great spine to finish above 10th in the champ.
Miserati - and Proud to be!
Good post and I bow to your superior knowledge of your team but you neglect to say one thing. Where do you predict Roth will finish this season?
The only reason I've taken issue with the Roth prediction is that it's so extreme.
4th to 10th in one season when you've retained most first teamers. I get there are some big players that have left but most stayed & decent signing have been made.
If I had all the money I've spent on drink ..... I'd spend it on drink.
COME ON LEEDS.
We've been through it all together.
Quote:Wuss might shock Bris in the final
How would it be a ''shock''.
Quote:WorcesterSauceQuote:Wuss might shock Bris in the final
How would it be a ''shock''.
I was speaking from a Bris perspective. I realise that all Wuss fans expect to go straight back up. We did!
[www.rugbynetwork.net]
1. Briz & Wuss have the outstanding squads and are likely to finish first and second in the league.
2. The other two play-off berths are likely to come from YC, LS and Roth but none are likely to bother Briz & Wuss in the play-off semi finals.
3. Too early to pick an ultimate winner between Briz & Wuss as it will depend on injuries and bank balances in the New Year.
4. The other seven are all decent teams and with a run of good form any could achieve a really dull mid table safety by New Year or have a squeaky bum finish.
5. Last season was brilliant top and bottom of the league and I would again settle for 11th or better for Jersey. Nottingham may have the most to fear in the New Year.
6. I reckon Ealing will romp through Nat 1 and be back in a years time.
All the best lads and see you in Leeds in March and down in Jersey pre-Christmas for those making the trip.
Don't kick it pick it up and GO FORWARD