Re: first fixtures - Widnes at home, Huddersfield away : Mon Nov 19, 2012 10:01 am  

I see that the 'bigger' clubs have been picked for the on the road games, probably to gauge how well they're supported by away sides and to see if, by playing a big side, it can make a few more neutrals and Broncos fans turn up.

However, picking the Wigan game means no home game in May. Surely one on the road game in April (a month after 3/5 are home games) and another in June (which has been picked) was the way to go?

Re: first fixtures - Widnes at home, Huddersfield away : Mon Nov 19, 2012 11:23 am  

First Sky games confirmed too. Rounds 1-14......Hull KR @ home our only televised game. http://www.loverugbyleague.com/news_105 ... dates.html

First Sky games confirmed too. Rounds 1-14......Hull KR @ home our only televised game. http://www.loverugbyleague.com/news_105 ... dates.html

Re: first fixtures - Widnes at home, Huddersfield away : Mon Nov 19, 2012 12:17 pm  

So it's Wigan in Gillingham then.

& some other far flung outpost for Wire too no doubt.

Talk about a not so hidden agenda.

Re: first fixtures - Widnes at home, Huddersfield away : Mon Nov 19, 2012 12:19 pm  

Paddock Punter wrote:

Taking the Wigan and Wire "on the stoopid effing road" so the prison warder can glory in how big the crowds are and justify a move next season.

Hadn't thought of that. Clever by Gus in all fairness. I mean, I totally oppose the OTR idea, but it's smart.

Echo some of the previous sentiments re: timing and fixture gaps. Also, very unhelpful to be playing Leeds at home on a Monday night.

Widnes at home first up means there's absolutely no excuse to start the season poorly.

Re: first fixtures - Widnes at home, Huddersfield away : Mon Nov 19, 2012 2:16 pm  

Cowgirl Nostalgist wrote:

So it's Wigan in Gillingham then.

& some other far flung outpost for Wire too no doubt.

Talk about a not so hidden agenda.

Wigan in Oxford I hear.

Re: first fixtures - Widnes at home, Huddersfield away : Mon Nov 19, 2012 3:45 pm  

Stooper wrote:

Wigan in Oxford I hear.

If true, that would be nice, for me.

EDIT: Oh, it's my wedding anniversary, so not so nice.

The Lenegan family connection I guess?

Re: first fixtures - Widnes at home, Huddersfield away : Mon Nov 19, 2012 4:19 pm  

When you support a club that is more likely to be in the bottom half of the table than not, then you need the opening quarter of the season to have reasonable fixtures to help build a degree of form and confidence.

This season sees six consecutive realistically winnable home games v Widnes, Wakefield, Hull KR, Hull FC, Catalans and Bradford and with Salford and Castleford away in the first four away fixtures so it gives us a great chance of a decent start.

The second half of the season looks pretty daunting but I would rather play the elite sides a good way into the season when they are more likely to rotate players rather than in the first few weeks.

I was pretty disgusted last season when we got Wigan, Warrington and St Helens in the opening weeks plus a side who have a great home record in Hull FC and Huddersfield Giants who almost always thrash us. You'd like a fair crack of the whip rather than five top seven sides.

This season I am very pleased. If I was to complain then 'd like to see us on Sky a bit more. I am also disappointed that the Magic weekend reshuffle which at long last sees teams matched versus similar opponents did not give us Salford or Widnes.

As for the on-the-road fixtures it is obvious that there is a need to grow crowds and it is better to cherry-pick opponents with large away crowds than not. So it is fair enough but I am sure that this will continue to antagonise so lets save this one for later.

Easy, Rammo

Re: first fixtures - Widnes at home, Huddersfield away : Mon Nov 19, 2012 4:28 pm  

I see Andy Wilson in the Guardian is also talking about Oxford for the Wigan game. I'm not opposed to 'on the road games' but if they're to test the water for relocation venues then Oxford is nuts, as is Gillingham. Hey ho

Re: first fixtures - Widnes at home, Huddersfield away : Mon Nov 19, 2012 4:35 pm  

Well you should be opposed to On the Road games (unless there's a Super League wide programme like the shortlived series in 1998) and you can't make an opinion (a fundamentally wrong one) and then say "let's park it".

On the Road is a cop out. We are either seroius about building a supporter base or we're not. If we are - get on with it. If we're not, rebrand as the Wanderers and play at various grounds in the South, Midlands and Cumbria and be done with it. I'm sure we can sellout Craven Park in Barrow!

Re: first fixtures - Widnes at home, Huddersfield away : Mon Nov 19, 2012 5:06 pm  

my reason for not being against 'on the road games' is that it's obvious the club is moving. If the club had a home ground that was going to stay the home ground I'd be dead set against it but it doesnt. If they want to test the water this year in London or somewhere nearby - Watford for example - then by all means go for it. Oxford and Gillingham do not fill that criteria.
I'm all for the club putting down roots and putting in the hard work to engage the local population but that's not going to be Twickenham (or Oxford or Gillingham, surely?!)