London start in the Preliminary Round where they host Barrow (14/15 March).  Barrow look like they may be one of the best Championship teams this season, so should be a good match.  Plough Lane free that weekend (no Men's or Women's football) so would be good if they could play it there.  I guess the issue is the competition.  If it's like the EFL Trophy in football, many of the regulars may not be interested.


The winner hosts Keighley in Round 1 (18/19 April).  AFC Wimbledon host Plymouth on the Saturday.


No schoolboy errors with the draw had Keighley, Oldham or Goole found themselves in the Preliminary Round but busy with their Challenge Cup matches that weekend.

That is if Barrow have survived.  Another team struggling financially and at risk.  Could see them withdrawing from the 1895.  Trouble is they would be doing that based purely on location (London) which becomes a big issue.  No idea what the implications of a club pulling out are.  But with the mess the Championship is becoming, pushing another club towards dropping out of the League would be disastrous.


Lots of criticism for merging in League 1 clubs yet it is the top level of the Championship which appears to be going peach shaped.  The top four based on last season were Salford, Halifax, Oldham and Featherstone, all of whom have/had issues of differing levels.  Now Barrow (who finished behind Widnes and Doncaster only).  

The fact that only Barrow of the top 5 performed well in the Championship last year raises eyebrows, the fact two of the top 5 were L1 sides and another one would have been relegated from Championship suggests either the old order is changing or this is a mighty funky way of deciding who tops the table. It’s early days though so we’ll have to see how it’s looking say 10 games in. I still think we’ll win but definitely think you make a good point about the ‘lesser’ play off places. Could be a few sides who miss out or get tough draws because of the way the fixtures have been arranged. 

Tough draw for us with Barrow going so well but, if we win, the draw may well open up. Alternatively, the way things are going at Championship level, if we stay solvent we may win by default. 
I’ve noted Barrow’s concerns over a flood of away games for them. Really is hand to mouth at Championship level which is a real shame as quality is pretty high. Conversely,  we have a home game heavy start to the season which has helped build momentum. Not sure the enforced absence from Plough Lane over the summer has ever done us any favours especially when it’s that period that we are “the only game in town”

Now seems fairly certain the match is on; the question now is where!  Barrow suggesting London travel to Barrow instead and keep all the gate receipts.


Do London get the Barrow GoFundMe Hotel collection as well?


Home game numbers getting less.  Featherstone lost (replaced for now, but who knows.  Halifax lost (unsure how that is resolved including possible Halifax return).


Talk now of a Championship salary cap.  Makes sense, but the reality of costs in London v M62 need to be considered.  Many jobs can be done remotely in the modern world; sportsmen/sportswomen can't "work from home".


There are lots of reasons I think London need to be Super League next season.  On and off the pitch the club is looking like it will be SL ready.  Probably becoming too big for the Championship in what will surely be under a new guise (financially).  SL TV deal really needs a London presence.


I don't like the sense of entitlement to being in the SL, but I think it needs to happen.  Not sure I see anybody else in the Championship who could jump up to the SL.  York, Bradford and Toulouse were three who have already moved up.  Oldham have issues now.  


I think 16 clubs is really too many for the SL, but if the player depth is found, then it is a good number.  So 14 + London leaves a future space for maybe an Oldham, Doncaster maybe.  Widnes is my obvious choice but based on where they were 40 years ago.  A new Halifax maybe.


Without London (money wise) does feel like a very even playing field in the Championship in future years and perhaps two divisions of 16 is a reasonable target, with both divisions being relatively balanced.