Re: Widnes & Relegation : Wed Jul 03, 2019 12:37 pm  

Binosh wrote:

Leigh, Bradford, Toulouse, Widnes would all add something to SL.

There is no middle ground in SL due to not being enough clubs in it, you are either in the playoffs or relegation battle and that in itself is no good for the sport.

Surely, what we have now with every game being important (either for the relegation battle or for a play off spot) is EXACTLY what the sponsors and Sky would want, allowing them, theoretically at least, to promote every game ?
The middle ground, where there is "nothing" on the game, means that there will be less interest from Sky and the viewers alike.
Which game would you rather watch ?
I'm ok with adding the sides that you mention but, how many games do you want in the regular season and you dont seem to be making any allowance for the influx on N.American clubs.

The thing to remember here is, that it's pro sport and not school sports day and not everyone gets to win.

Fundamentally, we either have franchising and a closed shop top flight or, some form of promotion and relegation, which means that someone will be unhappy every season. Equally, the promoted side will be happy, ying and yang.

Re: Widnes & Relegation : Wed Jul 03, 2019 1:37 pm  

wrencat1873 wrote:

Surely, what we have now with every game being important (either for the relegation battle or for a play off spot) is EXACTLY what the sponsors and Sky would want, allowing them, theoretically at least, to promote every game ?
The middle ground, where there is "nothing" on the game, means that there will be less interest from Sky and the viewers alike.
Which game would you rather watch ?
I'm ok with adding the sides that you mention but, how many games do you want in the regular season and you dont seem to be making any allowance for the influx on N.American clubs.

The thing to remember here is, that it's pro sport and not school sports day and not everyone gets to win.

Fundamentally, we either have franchising and a closed shop top flight or, some form of promotion and relegation, which means that someone will be unhappy every season. Equally, the promoted side will be happy, ying and yang.

I think your misunderstanding, aiming for the middle ground does give you something to play for? It means that there is something between the playoffs and relegation, something worth fighting for.

London could this year get relegated on the highest points total of any team in the SL era, and they have been brilliant, a breathe of fresh air with a team that predominantly came up from the championship and I don't think that is fair, Leigh were relegated in 2017 and didn't even finish bottom, they played decent rugby that year just like London and beat all the top 4 teams.

I believe 14/16 teams gives that small tolerance whereby teams like London/Leigh/Toulouse/York/Bradford can be promoted and set their target as "safety" and not "playoffs" which is probably unrealistic. it gives them time to consolidate.

Re: Widnes & Relegation : Wed Jul 03, 2019 3:09 pm  

16 Clubs currently in the NRL & they are looking to expand into Perth. While the NRL is by far more professional than SL you can set a timetable & platform for clubs on the cusp/fringes of SL to be SL ready with a guarantee of acceptance given achieved mandatory requirements.

Something along those lines would provide those clubs with SL ambitions who are 'almost there' to apply the necessary frameworks & make investments to be SL ready within a timetable.

Widnes finished bottom twice & on both occasions Hull K.R & then Leigh were relegated via the MPG. While I would re-admit Widnes *requirements met* their reward for being the worst team in SL was another year in SL !!!

[Mild Rover]

Re: Widnes & Relegation : Wed Jul 03, 2019 3:15 pm  

Ste100Centurions wrote:

16 Clubs currently in the NRL & they are looking to expand into Perth. While the NRL is by far more professional than SL yoj can set a timetable & platform for clubs on the cusp/fringes of SL tk be SL ready with a guarantee of acceptance given the achieved mandatory requirements.

Something along those lines would provide those clubs with SL ambitions who are 'almost there' to apply the necessary frameworks & make investments to be SL ready within a timetable.

Widnes finished bottom twice & on both occasions Hull K.R & then Leigh were relegated via the MPG. While I would re-admit Widnes *requirements met* their reward for being the worst team in SL was another year in SL !!!

As a point of pedantry, Huddersfield we’re bottom after 23 rounds the year we went down. Widnes were up in 7th.

Re: Widnes & Relegation : Wed Jul 03, 2019 3:20 pm  

Widnes were not a SL club when they gained a licence and it was partly through the use of some creative accounting to boost their turnover figures that they did so. Such financial manipulation rarely ends well - see also Greece adopting the euro.

Re: Widnes & Relegation : Thu Jul 04, 2019 4:19 am  

Pumpetypump wrote:

And after all, it's important after a setback to never have another chance. That's a cracking philosophical approach for a misanthrope.

I love it when people try and look clever by using words totally incorrectly/inappropriately.

Re: Widnes & Relegation : Thu Jul 04, 2019 5:33 am  

Ste100Centurions wrote:

16 Clubs currently in the NRL & they are looking to expand into Perth.

I will predict that the next club to join will be from Queensland post 2020. Currently 5 Queensland clubs have put forward an intention to apply for any future expansion opportunity.

[Pumpetypump]

Re: Widnes & Relegation : Thu Jul 04, 2019 11:18 am  

IR80 wrote:

I love it when people try and look clever by using words totally incorrectly/inappropriately.

Shouldn't that be "try TO look clever"?

The way I write is the way I write. It isn't an affectation designed to "try" to look like anything. I believed your recent posts were misanthropic in nature so I said as much. I'm not sure what spelling or usage errors you identified but please do let me know. I am horrified at the notion of you finding my posts to be a Floccinaucinihilipilification. Perhaps I am mortally afflicted with sesquipedalianism.

Re: Widnes & Relegation : Thu Jul 04, 2019 6:03 pm  

If we expand to 16 teams the sky money will be diluted and clubs will go bust

Re: Widnes & Relegation : Fri Jul 05, 2019 8:54 am  

Ruune Rebellion wrote:

If we expand to 16 teams the sky money will be diluted and clubs will go bust

Only if you assume a zero-growth model, which is the last thing we should be assuming.

I don't think that we should expand to 16 (or indeed 14 for that matter) because I don't think we have enough talent to maintain the quality of competition, but "clubs will go bust because they aren't increasing revenue from other income streams" is the last reason why we shouldn't do something to improve the sport.