[Mild Rover]

Approach to the Challenge Cup in 2018 : Sat Nov 11, 2017 10:03 am  

As preparations begin in earnest for Rovers return to SL, what should/will be our attitude to the cup. Have a crack or see it as a potential distraction from avoiding the middle 8s? I guess it'll depend on the draw and an easy run to the semis would see us take seriously.

I remember in 2007 we fielded a few fringe players against Warrington, as we focused on survival. And while Hudds loss to Swinton this year slightly diluted the embarrasment of our 2016 loss to Oldham, the Giants team selection suggested that top 8 was their priority.

There'll be a few SL teams worried about the 8s again this year - could it reach the stage that only half a dozen chase cup glory hard?

Re: Approach to the Challenge Cup in 2018 : Sat Nov 11, 2017 10:38 am  

Only 5 games to win it from our position .4 with top 8 teams.Its the one trophy we have any chance of winning so I'd like to see us take it seriously.Last years games v Leigh and Salford arguably were the foundation of a successful middle 8s. Draw lower league teams then only 1 game from a semi final if we are good enough? Last year's winners only had to win 3 real live games to lift the pot after beating Catalans reserves 62-0 in first game of campaign. Not a dig btw just a fact .Still takes some doing .In real terms top 8 and a cup semi would be an achievement.Any more would be dream stuff.After last 2 seasons finishing positions it's hard to know how this coming season wil unfold.Warrington look much stronger.Salford look in trouble,they and Wakey are the teams we have a chance of displacing in the 8.Hull look weaker maybe? So many variable..who knows?

[Mild Rover]

Re: Approach to the Challenge Cup in 2018 : Sat Nov 11, 2017 12:48 pm  

craig hkr wrote:

Only 5 games to win it from our position .4 with top 8 teams.Its the one trophy we have any chance of winning so I'd like to see us take it seriously.Last years games v Leigh and Salford arguably were the foundation of a successful middle 8s. Draw lower league teams then only 1 game from a semi final if we are good enough? Last year's winners only had to win 3 real live games to lift the pot after beating Catalans reserves 62-0 in first game of campaign. Not a dig btw just a fact .Still takes some doing .In real terms top 8 and a cup semi would be an achievement.Any more would be dream stuff.After last 2 seasons finishing positions it's hard to know how this coming season wil unfold.Warrington look much stronger.Salford look in trouble,they and Wakey are the teams we have a chance of displacing in the 8.Hull look weaker maybe? So many variable..who knows?

I know what you mean, but to beat 3 SL teams in a row is no easy task, especially since you'd expect at least one of them to be one of the good SL teamts, even with a lucky draw.
The glory of the cup is what sport should be all about, but another relegation would put the whole club in jeopardy.
This year, we made the middle 8 at a canter and the cup provided a different and welcome challenge. Avoiding the middle 8 in 2018 will be much tougher than reaching them was in 2017.

Re: Approach to the Challenge Cup in 2018 : Sat Nov 11, 2017 1:57 pm  

Mild Rover wrote:

I know what you mean, but to beat 3 SL teams in a row is no easy task, especially since you'd expect at least one of them to be one of the good SL teamts, even with a lucky draw.
The glory of the cup is what sport should be all about, but another relegation would put the whole club in jeopardy.
This year, we made the middle 8 at a canter and the cup provided a different and welcome challenge. Avoiding the middle 8 in 2018 will be much tougher than reaching them was in 2017.

How do we know that their is going to be a middle 8s did they not say it will all change for 2019 if so and it comes out early go for both just do not finish bottom in case of 1down 1 up

Re: Approach to the Challenge Cup in 2018 : Sat Nov 11, 2017 2:16 pm  

It is still a burning ambition of Neil, Robbo & Smithy to win the CCup, and the fact that our noisy neighbours have won it back-to-back just might also spur this ambition on.

I would be disappointed if the CCup is not a major target.

[Mild Rover]

Re: Approach to the Challenge Cup in 2018 : Sat Nov 11, 2017 3:13 pm  

cravenpark1 wrote: How do we know that their is going to be a middle 8s did they not say it will all change for 2019 if so and it comes out early go for both just do not finish bottom in case of 1down 1 up Well, the fixtures are out and the club has specifically mentioned the 8s in this response: http://www.hullkr.co.uk/club/news/artic ... xture-list So I don't there's anything to suggest the structure of the season will be different. Plausibly, if they went to 14 teams for 2019, then the million pound game could be between 6th and 7th in the middle 8s, and they'd be a bit less scary. But that'd require SL clubs voting to share the Sky money pie between more members - it could happen in return for franchising or if Toronto offer a different funding model, but I wouldn't bet on it.

cravenpark1 wrote: How do we know that their is going to be a middle 8s did they not say it will all change for 2019 if so and it comes out early go for both just do not finish bottom in case of 1down 1 up Well, the fixtures are out and the club has specifically mentioned the 8s in this response: http://www.hullkr.co.uk/club/news/artic ... xture-list So I don't there's anything to suggest the structure of the season will be different. Plausibly, if they went to 14 teams for 2019, then the million pound game could be between 6th and 7th in the middle 8s, and they'd be a bit less scary. But that'd require SL clubs voting to share the Sky money pie between more members - it could happen in return for franchising or if Toronto offer a different funding model, but I wouldn't bet on it.

Re: Approach to the Challenge Cup in 2018 : Sat Nov 11, 2017 10:27 pm  

Mild Rover wrote: Well, the fixtures are out and the club has specifically mentioned the 8s in this response: http://www.hullkr.co.uk/club/news/artic ... xture-list So I don't there's anything to suggest the structure of the season will be different. Plausibly, if they went to 14 teams for 2019, then the million pound game could be between 6th and 7th in the middle 8s, and they'd be a bit less scary. But that'd require SL clubs voting to share the Sky money pie between more members - it could happen in return for franchising or if Toronto offer a different funding model, but I wouldn't bet on it. that's all very well but go back in history did they not change the league a long time ago and not say any thing till half way threw the season and us and some other teams finished up going down

Mild Rover wrote: Well, the fixtures are out and the club has specifically mentioned the 8s in this response: http://www.hullkr.co.uk/club/news/artic ... xture-list So I don't there's anything to suggest the structure of the season will be different. Plausibly, if they went to 14 teams for 2019, then the million pound game could be between 6th and 7th in the middle 8s, and they'd be a bit less scary. But that'd require SL clubs voting to share the Sky money pie between more members - it could happen in return for franchising or if Toronto offer a different funding model, but I wouldn't bet on it. that's all very well but go back in history did they not change the league a long time ago and not say any thing till half way threw the season and us and some other teams finished up going down

Re: Approach to the Challenge Cup in 2018 : Sat Nov 18, 2017 9:21 am  

Personally would like to see us take it seriously. We could gain confidence the father we go, and it would be nice to see the club going after trophies.
Given when the rd's are, and how far apart they are. I think Tim won't play a full strength team early on, and then will just see how we're doing in the league to see if it's worth going for.
The 2015 cup run is still a joy to think back on. The semi was a brilliant day. Even the final upto the kick off was a fantastic experience.

As for SL, agree Salford look in trouble. Widnes don't look at particularly good side (even though they've signed Inu). Apart from the top 5, the rest just look pretty much similar.

Re: Approach to the Challenge Cup in 2018 : Mon Nov 20, 2017 8:13 am  

craig hkr wrote:

Only 5 games to win it from our position .4 with top 8 teams.Its the one trophy we have any chance of winning so I'd like to see us take it seriously.Last years games v Leigh and Salford arguably were the foundation of a successful middle 8s. Draw lower league teams then only 1 game from a semi final if we are good enough? Last year's winners only had to win 3 real live games to lift the pot after beating Catalans reserves 62-0 in first game of campaign. Not a dig btw just a fact .Still takes some doing .In real terms top 8 and a cup semi would be an achievement.Any more would be dream stuff.After last 2 seasons finishing positions it's hard to know how this coming season wil unfold.Warrington look much stronger.Salford look in trouble,they and Wakey are the teams we have a chance of displacing in the 8.Hull look weaker maybe? So many variable..who knows?

I didn't realise it was so easy to win the cup. I'm surprised you've only manged it the once based on your assessment

Re: Approach to the Challenge Cup in 2018 : Mon Nov 20, 2017 9:28 am  

All of the above is a waste of time as the Mighty FC are going for a hatrick .