Re: Buying into super league : Sun Sep 04, 2016 12:19 pm  

That HKR Huddersfield game is effectively an mpg in itself if the results before it go as expected.
If Rovers beat London and Fev they'll be on 8 points.
If Hudds beat Leigh but lose to Leeds, they'll be on 8 points.
Salford can only hope for 8 points at best so the winner of Hudds V HKR would secure their SL status, the loser goes to the mpg.

Some massive, massive games coming up over the next few weeks, I can't wait

Re: Buying into super league : Sun Sep 04, 2016 7:38 pm  

Bull Mania wrote:

With Leigh going up I think it will boost our chances of finishing top next year (which will increase the very small chance of promotion)

I think it would make it tougher if it were Salford or huddersfield that come down because they will have the income streams already to spend even more than what Leigh have but on the other hand if it is KR then they could struggle to go straight back up but would be comfortable in the top 4. Add to that london probably improving and Toulouse coming in I think Bradford will drop further down the pecking order especially as most of their signings seem to be players that will settle them in to the Championship rather than ones that will propel the club.

Re: Buying into super league : Sun Sep 04, 2016 8:41 pm  

Greg Florimos Boots wrote:

.......... I think Bradford will drop further down the pecking order especially as most of their signings seem to be players that will settle them in to the Championship rather than ones that will propel the club.

Moss Chisholm Pryce? Players who will not propel the club?

Re: Buying into super league : Mon Sep 05, 2016 6:37 am  

Huddersfield just for the sheer comedy value.
Salford would be justice though.
I think both will struggle with the poor crowds they will get in the championship. KR will still get decent crowds I would imagine.

[Bullseye]

Re: Buying into super league : Mon Sep 05, 2016 7:49 am  

If Hudders did go down (but I really can’t see it) I expect Ken Davy would cushion the blow financially. So much as it would be funny I think they’re least likely to go down. I think it’s between HKR and Salford really. I think Salford would really struggle, especially if Koukash threw in the towel. HKR I think would find it difficult too unless Hudgell can find some new investors – there’s a bloke who I have little sympathy with. Rovers would at least bring a few supporters which is more than the other two.

[Bullseye]

Re: Buying into super league : Mon Sep 05, 2016 7:51 am  

Bullnorthern wrote:

Moss Chisholm Pryce? Players who will not propel the club?

Indeed. Each are better players than the ones they're replacing.

The current bloated squad was only good enough for 5th position. I think given a good pre-season and a squad that Smith has chosen that actually wants to play will make the top 4 next year.

Re: Buying into super league : Mon Sep 05, 2016 8:17 am  

Bullnorthern wrote:

Moss Chisholm Pryce? Players who will not propel the club?

His posts come across as if hes debating but its a way of trolling for me! Ask him about stuff to do with his club like the lack of paying rent, when the football club that play there play in non league and contributed more to the new stand than the rugby side he delfects and ignores

Re: Buying into super league : Mon Sep 05, 2016 9:09 am  

Greg Florimos Boots wrote:

I think it would make it tougher if it were Salford or huddersfield that come down because they will have the income streams already to spend even more than what Leigh have but on the other hand if it is KR then they could struggle to go straight back up but would be comfortable in the top 4. Add to that london probably improving and Toulouse coming in I think Bradford will drop further down the pecking order especially as most of their signings seem to be players that will settle them in to the Championship rather than ones that will propel the club.

1. Bradford will have a much better quality squad than the dross this season. There won't be a better spine in the league next year.
2. Motivation. Playing in the shield will give the players plenty of motivation not to be in it again. There is a slowly changing attitude at the club.
3. We should start seeing some reward for our hard work with the academy as more break through.
4. Toulouse coming up will be stronger than those going down. But playing Hemel, Newcastle and North Wales, will be a damn sight different to going to Odsal, Mount Pleasant and the Shay. They won't lose many at home, but i think they may struggle away from home.

A big thing for me is, whoever comes down (which is looking likely) is that they will only have 3 months to sort their squad out. Many contracts will likely become void meaning they almost have to start from scratch. We no more than anybody how ahrd it is to get a HB's. Most will be signed up by now. Back in 2014 we had a year to sort everything out.

Re: Buying into super league : Mon Sep 05, 2016 9:29 am  

Bull Mania wrote:

There won't be a better spine in the league next year.

That's difficult to say without knowing who comes down and which players they sign/retain.

For example if KR were to retain Campese, Kelly & Lunt (unlikely I know) and sign a better fullback than Cockayne, their spine is arguably better than ours.
Similarly if Salford were to retain O'Brien, Lui & Dobson and sign a decent hooker.
Huddersfield with Grix/Connor, Brough, Ellis & Hinchcliffe.

Yeah we all know it'll be hard for the relegated team to hold on to those, but people said the same about us with Gaskell & O'Brien when we went down.

No doubt, I'm happier with Moss, Pryce, Chisholm & O'Brien as our spine next year than I have been with any of the last few years. But we don't know it's the best in the league just yet.

I'm fairly confident in the spine. I'm confident in the backs for a Championship level, although I'm not sure about the right centre position at the moment. The forwards is where my doubts are at the moment, but that's largely because we have no idea who will be signed for the pack.

Re: Buying into super league : Mon Sep 05, 2016 12:00 pm  

The thing we should have learned from the last two years is that it is not just about how good the spine is but also how good the back-ups are if/when they get injured. e.g. Gaskell was good but if he only plays 40% of the time?