The Voodooguru

Anyone heard owt whether Levi has decided on his future now the decision date has elapsed? Is it no news is bad news or are we likely to see him in a Santa hat in the morning? I very much hope it's the latter. UTT

I'm really pleased big Grant has signed back on and shown Jonty that he has knuckled down and improved his fitness. He's a big lad and will be an asset making yards in this league where it will be harder to get up the field. Well done to Grant for all the extra hard work, and lets hope Jonty allows him the time on the pitch to show what he can do UTT.

I understand it is attractive to Levi to play at a higher level and get paid substantially more. But it seems things have gone pear shaped since his mother has decided she knows best and became his official advisor. How can it be the best for Levi to stay in NZ with no UK visa in place waiting for the situation at Salford to resolve itself? What happens if the consortium that wins control of Salford is not the Tracy Atiga consortium and they are not willing to buy Levi out of his contract? Does her son then have to come back with his tail between his legs and commit to honour the legally binding contract he has signed with town meaning we won't have him for the start of the season? Is it not better for Levi if he's in this country and match fit playing for Town until such an offer comes in? Sounds to me like Tracy Atiga is making her son look like a bad apple who is willing to renege on his contract to the club who has given him a platform in this country to possibly play at a higher level. Let's be honest, Levi is biting the hand that has fed him and tarnishing the relationship he has with Town fans who adore him.

Anyone heard owt about any pre-season friendlies apart from the Ike? Seems like we will be going to Barra a bit undercooked if we only have one warm up game, and given that so far this winter is shaping up to be the wettest in living memory there's no guarantee that will be on.

Don't know what to make of butterbeans diary tbh. I would imagine there will be some kind of trademark on the title for a start, and they couldn't even spell their own name on the bit about RFL funding which is embarrassing. Although I get his purpose and in a way admire his novel approach, I can't see how they expect their finances to turn black when some months over the height of summer they are showing a -20k deficit per month and expect birthday parties, world cup games, and CHs testimonial to fill the gap when he says events make a max of 1k profit. It does sound like this is an attempt to make things gloomy to try and get the fans rallying behind him. But they are up the creek if he's been completely honest and hasn't held anything back with income streams. 114k is a lot of hole to fill in if they were real figures. Intrigued to see what the reaction is.

Let's hope if we play Barra in pre season it isn't the usual away fixture as i hate that road with a passion and the train journey isn't much better.

Great to see another new recruit with T on board. Welcome to town T, let's hope he raises the bar as we already have two very good back rowers. The squad is taking shape now, although the Levi situation is a strange one. By the craic at work he definitely going to Salford for a lot more money but there has been no announcement of a U turn. Are the club just keeping quiet in the hope Salford can't honour the package they have given him? Is it with the RFL because we have a signed contract and Salford would need to buy him out? The Haven grapevine say he's moved out of the house in Maryport and is currently on the other side of the world back home. They aren't often wrong on the grapevine. I'd really like him back but only if he wants to be here so hope it gets sorted ASAP. With Jamie out until at least Easter following his operation we do seem light in hooker and half back cover. But I'm sure it will be in hand. The sart of the season just needs to happen now. On a different note, are the reds moving into DP after Xmas so BP can be demolished? This will make the pitch management interesting, already noted us training on the zebras. Last season on a proper pitch in a dedicated ground for us, very sad times.

I would love it if Matty Henson could be persuaded to pull on the jersey again. Talk at work is about a prop from Barrow.

Welcome to town Brayden, looking forward to see him on the field. Great he's here with his partner which will no doubt help him settle quickly. Let's hope he is the quality we are looking for in the new league. UTT.

Love the home top and I still have the original matchwinner shirt. Let's hope we can play the type of rugby they did back in 94. A great retro kit. Sorry to be controversial but personally I'm not a fan of the away strip, I prefer bolder colours, but thats just my opinion and you can't please all the people all the time.

Ah thanks folks, it was sent to me as a screenshot so I took it at face value, Newcastle are still surprisingly high.

Can anyone explain how we are 32nd out of 35 teams on the new IMG scoring with Whitehaven for example on more than double our points despite all their recent financial struggles and league position free fall? Same with Newcastle. Have they both fiddled the books or something? I don't get it.

Of course I'm not suggesting that, I have re-read my posts and cannot fathom where you get that impression from. We have made the commitment and just have to put up with it, whether we all like it or not. I remember sitting in the Carneigie being a bit sceptical and being won over by these so called experts claiming it would be a fantastic looking full stadium build funded by the social conscience of big businesses such as Rolls Royce, and in Dave Bowden I thought he was a trustworthy figurehead. Now the reality is very very different, and I personally have doubts about the whole thing being fit for purpose in the long term. Both teams need this to happen so unfortunately necessity and desperation are the big drivers. Neither club can hit the pause button and take a step back as financially they need the new stadium to happen. I'm not having a dig at our BOD by the way as I trust them 100% to play the best hand they are dealt, but sometimes I think they have had to play with a loaded pack.

What utter rhubarb! Of course it makes a difference where you watch it from. Its a completely different experience watching from the end of the ground, from the side, at ground level, or higher up with a better view of the whole pitch. Can you see a forward pass or an off side stood on the town end? I have stood in the Kop, on the top tier of Wembley, the so called popular side of the wreck, and at ground level in front of the DP grandstand and it makes a huge difference in the enjoyment of the game. In the latter two I've missed tries as I can't see the corner of the pitch or because I'm looking through players bodies. Most people sit or stand in the same place because its their preferred view of the pitch.

I suppose it depends on where your loyalties lie. The reds have the worst stadium of the two currently and are basically getting a new stadium on the old footprint, so it will be 100 x better no matter what. Town are moving into the reds new ground effectively, and although it will have some new sheds and improved facilities in my opinion the viewing experience will not be as good, and the 3g pitch will not be an improvement for either team. By your name I'd take a guess you are a reds fan so I'd expect you to be very pleased.