..... announcements coming this week, with Wane's squad for the Ashes, and the make up of the top tier next term, so............
What can we expect?
Will Williams still be skipper despite his indifferent form for Wire? After last night, will Lewis get the nod? Connor? Nsemba? Is Farnworth fully fit?
As regards SL in 2026, I (unfortunately) can't see a team with a poor financial history, and who play at a venue (i refuse to call it a stadium) that's well past its sell by date missing out. York? Probably. London? With the Hetherington, and Lockyer connections, they'll be in there with a shout.
All will become clear over the next few days, and no doubt there'll be cries of "Bent!" "Wrong!" and "Why?" from various quarters, whatever decisions are made!
Spelly.
Wigan well below their best, Farrell looked particularly off his usual game. Maybe time for another shake up?
My money on York and Toulouse in the 12
the extra2 London and between bradfraud and hudds
All will become clear over the next few days, and no doubt there'll be cries of "Bent!" "Wrong!" and "Why?" from various quarters, whatever decisions are made!
Of course, people will be ecstatic, relieved, worried or disappointed. There will be shouts of fraud, fixed, incompetent and so on.
The formal announcement will be made on 16 October, so not long to wait. My view of IMG is that it can only be good for the sport for all Clubs in the professional/semi-professional game, to meet minimum standards, particularly for promotion to the top league.
I would have no objection to the additional Clubs being selected in this way, on the basis that we started the season believing that this would be the case, although the decision to increase SL to 14 was made late in the season. I would hope that from next season, we go back to performance on the pitch determining promotion and relegation, subject to meeting SL standards.
My objection is the decision to use an "independent" panel to select the additional two places. Supporters of those Clubs that miss out will no doubt shout "fix", "wrong" "fraud" and favouritism and Nigel Wood will be accused of all kind of undue influence. Personally, I can see no justification as to how a team finishing tenth in the Championship is even being considered, unless somehow, they meet the IMG grading criteria this year.
Has the RFL responded to Wigan's legal action to delay the decision to increase SL to 14 clubs, until next year? Have they actually clarified what funding the promoted Clubs will receive? What changes will they make mid-season next year!!!
Whatever happens, the die hard supporters will continue to support the Chemics and live in hope the we have a decent season. no matter which league we find ourselves in; and if we are in the Championship next season, are able to compete for promotion to SL.
Maybe someone should have a word with Nigel!!!
Just read that it'll be Friday before we know the names of the full fourteen who'll be in the top tier next term.
1-12 on IMG ratings will be announced on Thursday, but...................
We'll have to wait a further twenty-four hours before we know who the promoted / added / included pair are.
Is this just to keep RL in the news a bit longer?
Meanwhile, we await Wane's declaration of who'll be in / out of the squad to lock horns with the Green and Gold Machine.
Spelly.
Whilst I agree with the principle of the MIG system ( not that different to the criteria that got us promoted!) it must be able to make clear that all clubs are run to the same standard.
Clubs reliant on millions pounds of hand outs to balance their books are plainly not staying solvent by good management but by having wealthy supporters.
Surely any rescue millions must be reflected in their IMG score as a 'mismanagement' ? It comes down to just what IMG is designed to cover!
There were loads of objections when SOC brought in business managers who haunted the RFL with requests for clearance on details to be sure that we had covered all the bases.
All opinion obvs but for me
- I'd have Connor in, he's been great this year and can cover multiple positions. Wane must just dislike him
- Brimson, not keen on having an Aussie in the squad
- John Bateman, has been past it for a couple of years
- Clark, not had a great season, I'd rather have Danny Walker
- Havard, meh
- Watkins, has been a good player but I'd rather see Nsemba in
He'll be picking Williams and Smith in the halves.
@sandgroper Totally agree that annual £1-2m bailouts by wealthy donors is not a financially sustainable model. That is why those very wealthy donors are looking to keep the ever reducing Sky money for their SL Clubs. Perhaps the financial sustainability rules could take account of income from ticket sales and other income, including sponsorship .
As has been said several times on here, maybe the RFL/SL need to consider whether the SL model itself is financially sustainable, without being detrimental to the rest of the game.
The other IMG criteria, including attendances, facilities, community and youth development etc. makes sense if the intention is to raise the standard of the game; and may even generate further public interest.