This year's Championship

[SUPERSTUD]

1 hour ago, Wakefield Ram said:

If you're going to spend, you need to go whole hog and spend enough to definitely stay up not just being competitive. Maybe £100,000? No point spending an extra £50,000 and getting relegated. And no point spending £100,000 and going into L1 anyway based on IMG grading. 

Mark Sawyer said at the beginning of the season that the rugby side was budgeted to lose £150,000 this season. This was the same as £150,000 loss in L1. 

This will be offset in part by off field income but Mark Sawyer has been doing this 20+ years so think he knows what he's doing. 

Despite spending a lot more, York were next to bottom till very recently. 

From Mr Sawyer’s perspective I understand re setting the budget etc. In the main the team consists of young players who are attempting to compete within the adult world. However after a while players basically think “Come on man give us a chance” as they continually get beat by more lavishly funded teams. Also bear on mind only one win bonus paid out so far this season v Batley at home. So offset that as well.

[Gav Wilson]

15 hours ago, Wakefield Ram said:

If you're going to spend, you need to go whole hog and spend enough to definitely stay up not just being competitive. Maybe £100,000? No point spending an extra £50,000 and getting relegated. And no point spending £100,000 and going into L1 anyway based on IMG grading. 

Mark Sawyer said at the beginning of the season that the rugby side was budgeted to lose £150,000 this season. This was the same as £150,000 loss in L1. 

This will be offset in part by off field income but Mark Sawyer has been doing this 20+ years so think he knows what he's doing. 

Despite spending a lot more, York were next to bottom till very recently. 

1. This was never proposed to happen.

2. And now they're not. What relevance is that to anything?

[Click]

16 hours ago, Wakefield Ram said:

If you're going to spend, you need to go whole hog and spend enough to definitely stay up not just being competitive. Maybe £100,000? No point spending an extra £50,000 and getting relegated. And no point spending £100,000 and going into L1 anyway based on IMG grading. 

Mark Sawyer said at the beginning of the season that the rugby side was budgeted to lose £150,000 this season. This was the same as £150,000 loss in L1. 

This will be offset in part by off field income but Mark Sawyer has been doing this 20+ years so think he knows what he's doing. 

Despite spending a lot more, York were next to bottom till very recently. 

As others have mentioned,

That isn't how moving between Championship - League 1 is. It will remain P&R between the two. so IMG gradings will have absolutely no affect on Dewsbury in comparison to where they are as a club this year to the last 10.

[Wakefield Ram]

5 hours ago, Gav Wilson said:

1. This was never proposed to happen.

2. And now they're not. What relevance is that to anything?

It was never proposed not to happen until March 2024. Budget decisions were being made last summer. He's backed the club for 20 years and takes a long term view. It's his money. He's decided not to spend money to gain a few token wins and that assumes players would want to sign. 

[Griff]

On 25/07/2024 at 18:04, Wakefield Ram said:

It was never proposed not to happen until March 2024. Budget decisions were being made last summer. He's backed the club for 20 years and takes a long term view. It's his money. He's decided not to spend money to gain a few token wins and that assumes players would want to sign. 

Why get promotion then?

To give supporters a year of misery?

[Jill Halfpenny fan]

So five games to go, Wakefield and Dewsbury aside, all the rest are well capable of beating each other. How's it going to finish?

[Stirlin]

Wakey , Tou , Bulls , Widnes , Fev , York , Eagles ,  Batley , Donny ,Barrow , Fax , Haven , Lions , Rams.

[The Blues Ox]

Don't know about the top but the bottom looks like a 4 way battle for the playoff and relegation spot. 

Barrow - Fev(a), Toulouse(h), Haven(h), Wakey(a), Widnes(h) - Can only see 1 win for them unless Widnes are secured in their playoff spot. That would give them 19 Points.

Fax - Donny(a), Dewsbury(h), Toulouse(a), Bradford(h), Haven (a) - Again 1 obvious call for a win as I don't fancy our chances up Haven. 18 Points.
Haven - York(h), Wakey(a), Barrow(a), Batley(a), Halifax(h) - Id be happier if they lost to York but I can see them getting a result which I reckon could give them 2 wins to be safe on 20 Points.

Swinton - Wakey(h), Fev(h), Dewsbury(a), Doncaster(h), Bradford(a) - I can see them getting 2 wins out of those, Dewsbury and either Fev or Donny giving them 18 Points.

I think if Swinton don't get mullered by Wakey and with Fax having to go to Toulouse, Swinton would end up with better points difference. It does look like whoever out of Barrow, Fax, and Haven can get 2 wins should be safe. It also looks like that last match between Haven and Fax could be huge. 

Its actually got me interested for the back end of a season which I think has been quite dull.

[Jemmo]

Us Doncaster fans still feel like we're looking over our shoulder and need at least another win, but no one else seems to be mentioning us. We have Halifax (h), batley (a), Widnes (h), Swinton (a), Wakefield (a)

And while it's very possible they can win one of those, this division teaches us they could also lose them all

[The Blues Ox]

27 minutes ago, Jemmo said:

Us Doncaster fans still feel like we're looking over our shoulder and need at least another win, but no one else seems to be mentioning us. We have Halifax (h), batley (a), Widnes (h), Swinton (a), Wakefield (a)

And while it's very possible they can win one of those, this division teaches us they could also lose them all

True, Id not really looked at Donny and with teams below playing each other I think its hard to think 4 teams will finish on more than 19 points although its not impossible. A win on Sunday should see you safe and its hard to see anything other than that outcome at the moment although a win for Fax and having Dewsbury still to play would put Fax ahead of Haven and Swinton in the relegation race.

[Jemmo]

45 minutes ago, The Blues Ox said:

True, Id not really looked at Donny and with teams below playing each other I think its hard to think 4 teams will finish on more than 19 points although its not impossible. A win on Sunday should see you safe and its hard to see anything other than that outcome at the moment although a win for Fax and having Dewsbury still to play would put Fax ahead of Haven and Swinton in the relegation race.

You were awful up to playing us at your place then battered us!

[JonM]

16 hours ago, The Blues Ox said:

It also looks like that last match between Haven and Fax could be huge. 

Injury or suspension will have a disproportionate impact on Haven you would think, with the lack of replacements in the squad.  

[JonM]

Remaining fixtures for the 2nd-6th place play-off contenders:

Toulouse (27, +292): Sheffield (H) Barrow (A) Halifax (H) Widnes (A) Batley (H)

Bradford (26, +175): Dewsbury (H) Sheffield (A) Batley(H) Halifax (A) Swinton (H) 

Sheffield E (26, +146): Toulouse (A) Bradford (H) Featherstone (A) York (H) Dewsbury (A)

Widnes(25, +98): Batley (A) York (H) Doncaster (A) Toulouse (H) Barrow (A)

Featherstone R(24, +110):  Barrow (H) Swinton (A) Sheffield (H) Dewsbury (H) York (A)

York (22, +140): Whitehaven (A) Widnes (A) Wakefield T (A) Sheffield E (A) Featherstone R (H)

Batley (20, -91): Widnes (H) Doncaster (H) Bradford (A) Whitehaven (H) Toulouse (A)

Doncaster (19,-110): Halifax (H) Batley (A) Widnes (H) Swinton (A) Wakefield T (A)

Bulls should fancy their chances of 2nd or 3rd with probably 4 wins from the remaining 5 with a relatively easy run-in. Fev also should get 4 wins from the remaining 5 which probably gets them 4th and a home first round play-off.

I believe Mark Aston is confirmed as being out for the rest of the regular season, and Sheffield have lost 3 on the trot, they look to have one of the tougher run-ins.

York have some tough games coming up, although you could say that games against the three teams immediately above them in the table means there is an opportunity.

[Les Tonks Sidestep]

6 hours ago, JonM said:

Remaining fixtures for the 2nd-6th place play-off contenders:

Toulouse (27, +292): Sheffield (H) Barrow (A) Halifax (H) Widnes (A) Batley (H)

Bradford (26, +175): Dewsbury (H) Sheffield (A) Batley(H) Halifax (A) Swinton (H) 

Sheffield E (26, +146): Toulouse (A) Bradford (H) Featherstone (A) York (H) Dewsbury (A)

Widnes(25, +98): Batley (A) York (H) Doncaster (A) Toulouse (H) Barrow (A)

Featherstone R(24, +110):  Barrow (H) Swinton (A) Sheffield (H) Dewsbury (H) York (A)

York (22, +140): Whitehaven (A) Widnes (A) Wakefield T (A) Sheffield E (A) Featherstone R (H)

Batley (20, -91): Widnes (H) Doncaster (H) Bradford (A) Whitehaven (H) Toulouse (A)

Doncaster (19,-110): Halifax (H) Batley (A) Widnes (H) Swinton (A) Wakefield T (A)

Bulls should fancy their chances of 2nd or 3rd with probably 4 wins from the remaining 5 with a relatively easy run-in. Fev also should get 4 wins from the remaining 5 which probably gets them 4th and a home first round play-off.

I believe Mark Aston is confirmed as being out for the rest of the regular season, and Sheffield have lost 3 on the trot, they look to have one of the tougher run-ins.

York have some tough games coming up, although you could say that games against the three teams immediately above them in the table means there is an opportunity.

I suspect Sheffield are missing Thackeray more than there are Aston.

[SUPERSTUD]

On 26/08/2024 at 16:22, Jill Halfpenny fan said:

So five games to go, Wakefield and Dewsbury aside, all the rest are well capable of beating each other. How's it going to finish?

I think Widnes will finish second from bottom and go down.

[tim2]

11 hours ago, Les Tonks Sidestep said:

I suspect Sheffield are missing Thackeray more than there are Aston.

The loss at Barrow happened under Mark Aston's watch - the recent results aren't helped by him not being there but it's not the whole reason.

It's going to be a disappointing season, but given Wakefield's dominance it's not as bad as if there was a big chance of winning the league.

[Mumby Magic]

I know I'm an optimistic poster on here, plus a Bulls fan but I feel we'll finish 2nd. We were shocking for 70 minutes against Doncaster who were far better but managed to pull out a win. A defeat would have probably curtailed our season. However we scraped a win snd with Smith, Gaskell and Scurr back within the week things are looking up.

[RBKnight]

14 hours ago, Les Tonks Sidestep said:

I suspect Sheffield are missing Thackeray more than there are Aston.

He might be injured, but surely Thacks can still referee ?

[RSN]

10 hours ago, tim2 said:

The loss at Barrow happened under Mark Aston's watch - the recent results aren't helped by him not being there but it's not the whole reason.

It's going to be a disappointing season, but given Wakefield's dominance it's not as bad as if there was a big chance of winning the league.

If Thackeray was playing at Barrow you would have won by something like 30 points to 8. 

Sheffields attack without him looked very predictable. 

[JonM]

Just bringing this up to date from the weekend.

Remaining fixtures for the 2nd-6th place play-off contenders:

2. Toulouse (29, +312): Barrow (A) Halifax (H) Widnes (A) Batley (H)

3. Bradford (28, +229): Sheffield (A) Batley(H) Halifax (A) Swinton (H) 

4. Widnes (27, +102): York (H) Doncaster (A) Toulouse (H) Barrow (A)

5. Featherstone R (26, +128):  Swinton (A) Sheffield (H) Dewsbury (H) York (A)

6. Sheffield E (26, +126): Bradford (H) Featherstone (A) York (H) Dewsbury (A)

7. York (24, +180): Widnes (A) Wakefield T (A) Sheffield E (A) Featherstone R (H)

I think the following are probably out of realistic contention now.

Batley (20, -95): Doncaster (H) Bradford (A) Whitehaven (H) Toulouse (A)

Doncaster (19,-111): Batley (A) Widnes (H) Swinton (A) Wakefield T (A)

[Tommygilf]

38 minutes ago, JonM said:

Just bringing this up to date from the weekend.

Remaining fixtures for the 2nd-6th place play-off contenders:

2. Toulouse (29, +312): Barrow (A) Halifax (H) Widnes (A) Batley (H)

3. Bradford (28, +229): Sheffield (A) Batley(H) Halifax (A) Swinton (H) 

4. Widnes (27, +102): York (H) Doncaster (A) Toulouse (H) Barrow (A)

5. Featherstone R (26, +128):  Swinton (A) Sheffield (H) Dewsbury (H) York (A)

6. Sheffield E (26, +126): Bradford (H) Featherstone (A) York (H) Dewsbury (A)

7. York (24, +180): Widnes (A) Wakefield T (A) Sheffield E (A) Featherstone R (H)

I think the following are probably out of realistic contention now.

Batley (20, -95): Doncaster (H) Bradford (A) Whitehaven (H) Toulouse (A)

Doncaster (19,-111): Batley (A) Widnes (H) Swinton (A) Wakefield T (A)

York having 3 "4 pointers" is massive for them leapfrogging their way up the table. Sheffield have similar however their poor form in recent weeks seems like they are slowing down to the end of the season.

[Rene_Artois]

1 hour ago, JonM said:

I think the following are probably out of realistic contention now.

Batley (20, -95): Doncaster (H) Bradford (A) Whitehaven (H) Toulouse (A)

Doncaster (19,-111): Batley (A) Widnes (H) Swinton (A) Wakefield T (A)

Yep. Have to agree. Looking downwards. Batley are safe. Dons need 1 more win to be certain.

 

[JonM]

27 minutes ago, Tommygilf said:

York having 3 "4 pointers" is massive for them leapfrogging their way up the table. Sheffield have similar however their poor form in recent weeks seems like they are slowing down to the end of the season.

York's points difference currently gives them a leg up, too, although playing Wakefield away may remove or reduce that. Fev & Sheffield perhaps will want (or need) to rack up the points in their games against Dewsbury.

Equally, this weekend is Widnes v York and Sheffield v Bradford. Two home wins (not particularly unlikely?) would pretty much end York's chances. 

[Jill Halfpenny fan]

2 hours ago, JonM said:

Just bringing this up to date from the weekend.

Remaining fixtures for the 2nd-6th place play-off contenders:

2. Toulouse (29, +312): Barrow (A) Halifax (H) Widnes (A) Batley (H)

3. Bradford (28, +229): Sheffield (A) Batley(H) Halifax (A) Swinton (H) 

4. Widnes (27, +102): York (H) Doncaster (A) Toulouse (H) Barrow (A)

5. Featherstone R (26, +128):  Swinton (A) Sheffield (H) Dewsbury (H) York (A)

6. Sheffield E (26, +126): Bradford (H) Featherstone (A) York (H) Dewsbury (A)

7. York (24, +180): Widnes (A) Wakefield T (A) Sheffield E (A) Featherstone R (H)

I think the following are probably out of realistic contention now.

Batley (20, -95): Doncaster (H) Bradford (A) Whitehaven (H) Toulouse (A)

Doncaster (19,-111): Batley (A) Widnes (H) Swinton (A) Wakefield T (A)

Still too close to call in my opinion.  Its a matter of hoping you've got a seat when the music stops.

[JonM]

31 minutes ago, Jill Halfpenny fan said:

Still too close to call in my opinion.  Its a matter of hoping you've got a seat when the music stops.

I think if we beat York this weekend, we can probably lose the remaining 3 games and finish in the play-offs. But us losing all 4 doesn't seem unrealistic either. I certainly wouldn't have us favourites to win at Doncaster or Barrow, especially if the latter need a win to stay up on the last day of the season.