Are we better equipped to deal with the middle 8 this time round, and why

Yes we are. Unfortunately, the worst SL side is also better equipped than Wakefield were last year.

Much better side and packed with experience we lacked last year especially at half back. Moimoi Acton Weston Hopkins hock are as good as most SL teams, Maitua Hansen whiting and Patterson form a great back row also.
Opposition don't know how we will play this year, and there is far less expectation on lads who want to be in SL next year.

I think we should aim at Salford and HKR as the beatable SL teams, but there is no reason we won't contest the MPG.

We should aim to win every game. Who knows ,we might avoid the mpg and get auto promo.

Better, bigger, tougher forwards, half back pairing more 'solid', although three quarters still perhaps not fully functional. I'd say we are better all round, than last season.

Whilst the SL bottom four are perhaps not as weak as last season, they ARE bottom four for a reason - and I don't think that reason is because of an all-round improvement in SL.

Better equipped, better players and i technically the bottom may well have less points than in the 2015 season. Its only the names people are worried about not the points on the table.

At this moment in time Huddersfield without a coach are the most vulnerable team in the bottom 4, madness that they sacked their coach and assistant!!

How can Purtill have been sacked if he is on 'gardening leave'?

Some may argue D, that its the same thing...........

Probably not sacked, but put on gardening leave till his contract is up.

I feel we are individually better equipped, although I worry if plan A isn't working do have plan B, The SO & SH IMO will offer better options this time round as they are a little more varied in the rugby experience

Sorry my point was it was announced he had been sacked along with Anderson. But as soon as they got wind he may join Leigh early the term 'gardening leave ' appeared