gazza77

Some of us go to the games because they're entertainment, at least occasionally. Yes, I'd love us to have a stab at SL, however I'm content with us aiming for being the best we can be. A competitive league, uncertain outcomes and an entertaining brand of rugby is what I'm looking for.

It's a pain the new system for those of us who like to visit rival clubs social media pages to see what's happening across the game. It's now something that really feels to be discouraged, as you're essentially improving the score of competitors. Same applies with going to away games, given the scoring of attendances.

Not disagreeing with you, perhaps that's the logic behind the recent planning application to build on the car park.

If true (and no reason to believe it isn't), then that would mean the only player I recall us being linked with for next year when assumed we'd be promoted that isn't now signing is Greg Eden. Similarly, the players released list looks to me very much like all those that are either winding down at the end of their careers, or were unlikely to go FT. Briscoe iirc came back to us specifically for PT. Hau would be an obvious exception, but he's clearly going to head back to his parent club. Possibly I'm reading far I much into this, but it's a different way to look at it.

Time will tell. If we agree deals with the remaining squad members from 2023 that will give a squad of about 16, so need some new faces to replace many of them.

IIRC, haven't another club not a million miles from us announced they'll be spending a comparatively large sum of money to reduce their capacity in order to make a small increase in corporate seating amongst other things, rather than significant improvements to their ageing facilities? Again, it's playing to the rules but misses the point of these changes are meant to improve the game off as well as on the pitch.

I'd agree it's daft. That said, we play by the rules set out and if thems the rules... I think we may see some interesting decision making from some clubs over the next couple of years.

Not saying you're wrong, but seems a peculiar statement then, given it's alongside reference to cutting costs on the playing front. Without having recently re-read the IMG criteria, I have wondered if their would be any benefit in actions such as reducing the stadium capacity to increase the utilisation score, etc.

First off-field appointment, proofreader?

Just re-read the statement. Anyone else think the last sentence of this bit may also be the wrong way around? We outlined previously that the 2024 season will be a season of rebuilding our squad. Following the disappointments of last year where we have had record commercial investment in the Club, as well as significant financial support from Mark Campbell and Steven Clough, we will focus on ticking boxes on the field not off the field.

Sorry to see that both JDs are leaving according to that statement.

A few coming onto the market from Fev (some already announced at other clubs, or confirmed retirement).

If Evans is with us next season I'd be gobsmacked. I suspect he just quietly disappeared mid-season without any announcement.

I can see that happening, at least for those who are deemed to be rivals for placings on points scored off the pitch.

No audit = sell out every game next season.

I'd have expected 14th/15th ish, so no surprise for me either. A few stand out as a bit higher or lower than expected, but broadly as expected overall. I'd agree with the need for independent audit of some of the calculations as well as transparency on how each of the scores for individual elements are made. Time will tell if we get that.

If I had a quid every time I heard the phrase "they'll come back to haunt us" when a player moved on, I'd be rich. If I had a quid every time you could legitimately say an ex player had actually come back to haunt us, I wouldn't.

Back to the lease, any likelyhood of the Bulls actually being the ones to take it back on?

So London won't be completely full time in SL. Presumably it is allowed then...

You're right, it's a regular accusation. The thing fans of other teams often miss is that we tend to have most players on 12 month contracts, meaning of we have a worse than planned season, we're not left with unaffordable contracts for the following year.

Another not so secret signing announced.

Here, or the Brexit thread?

You'd be guessing wrong.