jaws1 wrote:DaveO wrote:Mike wrote:
London aren't ready for SL off the field yet. They have a 3000 capacity "community" staduim where most just stand round the edge of the pitch. They would not have met that criteria for franchising.
The main problem is the old one we've not addressed yet. How are they going to recruit and strengthen for next year now all the players have been signed? They'll have a higher salary cap but no one to sign with it. How are they not just going to go down?
Two issues that show why franchising was the way to go and was kicked out far too soon and why automatic P&R is not right for RL.
Apart from the fact it meant P&R was not automatic the complaints were it didn't work because Bradford went bust despite being given a clean bill of health. That was an issue with those doing the auditing not the idea itself. London needs at least two seasons of guaranteed SL status to make a go of it IMO but they should also be on notice to sort out a proper ground.
Who knows by next year the SL might have changed its mind next year especially with the link fixtures nobody might be relegated and 14 teams in SL
That was my thoughts too jaws1
Still think when all the dust has settled and we are into the International fixtures that SL will announce something along those lines. I don't like loop fixtures no matter how clubs dress them up and franchising might give you nice facilities but no determination to place a winning team on the pitch. Witnessed the mediocrity of those at the bottom when franchising was the "in thing" and still we have clubs (Cas & Wakey) who have still, after all these years, not met the framing the future criteria.
Game is at a cusp. My sons amateur has not been able to raise a team for almost the entire season, some opposition have had the same problem. This is in the heartlands and with crowds dropping along with viewing figures then so does sponsorship and merchandising. It is a downward spiral and MUST be stopped or we won't have a game.
Teams like Toronto that have not had one single penny that clubs like Leigh and Featherstone have squandered and now have their begging bowls out squealing it's all super leagues fault will not speed this process up. The game needs a major boost in profile and with it exposure. Toronto would give that. To a smaller degree so will London but some could argue they have already missed their opportunity last time they were in SL
Back to the game. Real dogfight and some tenacious defence from London. I am simply not impressed with Toronto's pack. Patterson is/was their best back row and he's retired now. The "one out" fell right into London's hands and the lack of creativity or even even spirit to chance their hand was depressing for a side so determined, we were told, to go up. Quick ptb and solid running from dummy half from Dixon and Pelisier with Walker strong at the back. Tactically I think Rowley was exposed and expect him to be moved on as hinted in the SKY analysis
Brian McDermott for Toronto is what I hear - let's see if that happens
