Enk27

Don’t disagree, we have the history, we have a local amateur scene and are in a better position than Rochdale (sorry Hornets) to be the team for the East Gtr Manchester area. BUT we have 20 years of baggage to get through. A lost generation to recapture. We are getting there slowly, seeing former local Youth players like Oliver Russell making a conscious decision to play for their home team would be science fiction 10 years ago. So if we have to spend the next 5 years becoming self sufficient until the drawbridge opens again? Fine let’s do that.

It is what it is I guess. That statement could have been better. I appreciate the shooting from the hip but in the current landscape accusing others of fiddling figures would always overshadow all the good points made. The IMG score could be whatever it is. The club is doing the important stuff right as far as we can see. Let’s focus on getting more fans in. Looks like we will still have a good squad next year and we need to pay for them somehow.

Oldham back to Boundary Park is more to do with it being really the only stadium that can host Rugby in the borough. So that’s where we will be, providing that the board of Latics and the Yeds keep on good terms & both have realistic expectations from a commercial pov. Irony is that for Champs rugby, Bower Fold was probably a better stadium - get 2,000 plus there and it’s really rocking. But sadly it’s around 8 miles south of where we need it. Think from Oldham’s view - Super League is a pipe dream, so if they want to dock us IMG points because the TV gantry is a few feet smaller than someone in a suit wants it to be? So be it. We’ve got more important things to worry about like getting crowds back above 1,500 consistently and keep making strides in Women’s & youth.

So season tickets now available. Basic is £240 for adults and £204 for concessions. Fair play to the club for making it a month of early bird so that most people should have a payday. Plus ability to pay via Klarna. In early bird you are effectively gaining 2 free games by getting a season ticket. Pie and Peas is no longer a thing, now a two course meal and the upgrade is still only £250 on top of your season ticket. General Ticket prices are a mixed bag. Good news that Under 16s are reduced to £4 with Under 18s being £6 Adult is £24 and concessions is £22. Imagine a £4 increase won’t be welcomed. For comparison, Widnes is £225 for unreserved seats. With slightly better seats (no meal as far as can see) for £290 and £320. Salford haven’t released season tickets yet but last year general seats were £20 in advance and £23 on the day. What do we all think?

So in 2 weeks London played Oldham and Doncaster who alongside Newcastle have all have arguments to be the second best team in the league (guess history will show Doncaster but who knows) total points for 154 total points against 14 I’ve no idea what happens next but one way or another this team (in respect of the group of players at London) can’t be in the championship next year.

To be fair the “Brum Canes” sounds a lot better than the “Mid Canes” Good luck to the Canes, hoping results in a lot more fans at your home games

Has anyone told Barrow not to turn up at the Keepmoat next week?

Just incredibly put and here’s hoping that someone can print this out to show to the players. Whatever happens on Sunday - this team has an argument for being the best ever to pull on the Red and White for a long time. It’s a cruel irony that the likely end of this extraordinary season (either this week or next) will be hundreds of miles away so there won’t be as many of us to shower them in the praise after the hooter that they deserve.

Thanks that does kind of make sense except for the point that this “reranking” element wasn’t written down anywhere. It really does seem to be the result of the RFL panicking when they realised they had tinkered with the logical way of seeding teams to avoid repeat fixtures, just to deliver repeat fixtures as soon as a single result didn’t go to plan.

Did the previously years also have a situation where the 4th place team gets the “easier” game (with respect to Barrow) in round 1? Honestly it just makes no sense.

Amazing please show the rest of us where they are written down as I don’t think anyone can find the super secret clause that has caused this?

In non playoff ranking discussion. One for the Stattos. Oldham and Widnes have played each other 4 times this year. In every game the Away team won. Has that ever happened before?

How about we split the difference? As luck would have it, Donny’s ground is roughly halfway between Newcastle and London (give or take 50 miles) or the same distance to Oldham. We all head there and have a 4 team 40 minute game round robin. Whoever finishes 1st and 2nd plays a full match the week after? Oddly this suggestion feels more legit than what the RFL has cooked up.

Honestly I think it would be funny to send Donny to London just to see whether Barrow turn up at Keepmoat Stadium on the 4th October out of habit.

Out of curiosity what happens if Oldham and Donny cause upsets next week? Oldham Home Game? Donny Home Game? 2 man sack race at Warrington until we get bored and hand the trophy to London?