Well we're underway
The win at Rochdale sees us in the next round of the CC away at Colwyn Bay. A winnable, but tough game. But is this more important than the 1895 cup-tie at Hunslet? Not for me.
We cannot win the CC, the best we can hope for would be getting a SL club in the next round, preferably away, as it is a shared gate. It would mean we wouldn't need to rent the Stadium, with all the periphery costs attached. We may draw another Champ team, but that would just be delaying the inevitable.
We have a more realistic chance of getting to Wembley and winning a trophy in the 1895 Cup. I think that is were we should be aiming our playing resource in the coming weeks.
Your thoughts.
Paulie xx
I think if we are serious we need to go for both - a decent tie in the cc could bring a tv fee (not sure how much that is mind) and also gets our name back in the press.
yes I understand the 1895 cup - but even if we win it does it bring in much needed cash, appreciate may get a lot of more local interest
crusaders away will not be easy but we should win that one against the Widnes old boys backline
After the freezing day at Rochdale - decent ground mind and very welcoming people, it’s definitely onwards and upwards !
For me finish in the top 6, win a playoff game. Get through to the next round of the Challenge cup and get a big SL side in the next round and win the 1895 cup at Wembley. I don't really like the 1895 cup, I liked the Northern Rail cup better at Blackpool as a final in its own right, rather than 3,000 fans in an 80k stadium when we played Sheffield.
For me finish in the top 6, win a playoff game. Get through to the next round of the Challenge cup and get a big SL side in the next round and win the 1895 cup at Wembley. I don't really like the 1895 cup, I liked the Northern Rail cup better at Blackpool as a final in its own right, rather than 3,000 fans in an 80k stadium when we played Sheffield.
FYI we took 7000 to Wembley in 2019, but I get your point. Sheffield fans brought nothing to the party, but we made circa £40k out of that day in London. Not to be sniffed at.
Up the Chemical Vikings!
Paulie xx
AC has voiced similar views as Paulie regarding the 1895 Cup being an attainable trophy, and so it is!!!!! It evokes all the 'Cup Kings' emotions and it gets the name into the headlines. That all makes good sense for the club's future.
The Challenge Cup is not within our reach, other than as a maybe a good one off pay day if we draw a SL opponent.
And I had a sneaky little bet with SKYBET yesterday at 16/1, definitely worth a flutter
Exciting games, top 6,an improved average attendance, a decent run in the 1895, an away CC game to a SL team .... if we do all that, stuff of dreams.
I think it’s a good idea as Coleman stated to play the lads that didn’t get a chance against Rochdale against crusaders, using the early CC games as a continued pre season and a chance to see different players put in their stake for a top 17 place.
id target top 5 and 1895 final (preferably a win but I’d still enjoy another trip to Wembley)
Top 5 and at least semi final in playoffs, 1895 Cup Final and a Super league Team away like Saints, Leigh, Wigan, Warrington or Leeds away for extra revenue.
@berkeleyviking that’s the point of playing some of the lads who didn’t play last week. Coleman doesn’t know his strongest team right now.
it’s not a while set of 17 changes more like 5/6
Correct heshould know his strongest team already. Injuries and poor form is the only reason for change.no way play our strongest team every time
Correct heshould know his strongest team already. Injuries and poor form is the only reason for change.no way play our strongest team every time
Not what AC said on his interview. 🤣 I think personally he is just unsure on a few players like Lyons and Pattison then possibly Max Roberts and Benty could be a possibility. I have not seen this Jones or Bailey play to make a decision if could be in the 17. But overall he knows virtually his strongest team.
It will be interesting on which dual players and loan brings from Warrington and Leigh.
Think in an ideal world we'd have had two or three hit outs pre season....an opportunity to twitch combinations and line ups ... unfortunately we had the wire game and straight into Rochdale...the gaffers right ...chose what he thought was best line up at the time without the opportunity to utilise others ...not sure the crusaders are the best to dick around with and make wholesale changes ..if he's true to his word then Lyons..bent..brown ..bailey ..Jones are all coming in ...but for who ....he won't drop Owens..he's untouchable somehow so brown won't play FB ..is bent better then lyodd langtree or Lannon ..no chance ...who does Joe replace..Patton most likely ...iffy that for me ..Jones for Williams or butt ... again iffy ..who does bailey replace? Can't think of anyone tbh ..listen I know some on here still suffer from "but were Widnes " syndrome..but get this right .. crusaders will be a bigger test than dale who we for a period got played off the park by .. slightly worried myself pre Toulouse..bolstered most areas that needed it bar centre ...
I doubt that AC will take any big chances tbh, he sees the 1895 Cup as attainable.
Crusaders mustn't be underrated, they have a solid team, many of who know the Widnes/Swinton plays off by heart so will be read for our best game!!!