I agree on paper you look like you will have a very good Championship team next season. Barring some miracle form from your players though Id expect you to be in the battle for 3rd-6th again. It could be even harder next season especially if Salford come down with more spending power than Leigh and with London already looking like they could be stronger. Add in to that the RFL's darlings Toulouse and suddenly we have about 4 or 5 clubs that could be going for the last place in the top 4.

Can't speak for anyone else but I never expected us to get back quickly - and still don't.

Apart from the 'promotion' system not being fit for purpose, we simply haven't deserved it. Despite us beating Salford last season and Leigh doing the same this time round, the idea of Championship clubs having to beat SL clubs in a league format is a joke, imo.

It's a joke, full stop. Even Nigel Wood, privately, would surely admit it's a joke.

But, we are now where perhaps we should have been immediately on getting relegated. We have a bright and capable new young coach, some excellent new signings in key positions, and some good young players who want to play for the club coming through. It takes a couple of seasons for a new team to blend together, so on the one hand, given we are still just at the start of a work in progress, this team - if it stays together - will improve a great deal over a couple of years.

But, having seen what the new lads are capable of, we would definitely be in the mix again for the top 2 spot, and indeed despite the rebuilding, I have to say that I would personally approach 2017 with more confidence than I did 2016.

Stop dreaming about Salford getting relegated, it ain't gonna happen, and next year from the back of a good full main season, we would be in with a squeak - if crucial other results involving SL teams go our way and (of course) assuming we ourselves do our end of the business) of the automatic promotion spot. That's the only hope. 50/1 maybe, and sadly not in our own hands, but not impossible.

Then again, with Toronto, Baghdad and Comet Hale-Bopp joining the Championship, there is considerably more chance of some form of automatic P&R than there is of promotion via the MPG faux route. Those teams won't want to leave promotion to the chance of a playoff, they will have sought assurances from the RFL who at this stage at least would badly want a loaded Toronto club in SL by hook or by crook, and they may be the wedge that finally opens the door. Although it would be a move fiercely opposed by SL clubs who won't want any genuine risk of jeopardy and are happy with the faux system as it stands.

If Leigh beat another SL team we will have 2 SL teams in the MPG and at the moment Salford seem to be the team looking least interested. I will however have some of what you are drinking FA if you think anyone is going to challenge Leigh/Insert SL team for top spot next season. Its simply not going to happen, the only other Champ team with money to spend is London and they simply will not get the players to move down there.

With Koukash supposedly moving on; Salford are likely not to have to money to spend on an SL squad next year...

Do not exaggerate (suggested alternative was exasperate: how apposite) In the mix for a top two spot is FAs claim. And as Mick is about to leak/tweet, together with a team from Alpha-Centauri which will be sending a team over every 70000 years or so, then all the Championship teams have to go over there for 70000 years.

Err, what?



Anyway, to the London trio.

I have the exact same doubts over Macani as I did about Caro, and he turned out to be a decent signing.

Magrin, I don't know much about him except that he was called Jon Wallace.

And Foster, well, he says he's a Bulls fan so he's already ok by me. A direct replacement for Blythe/Walshaw in my eyes.

Alex Foster is having a party...

Is it a Bake Off party?

Bake Off!!

I like Alex Foster but not as a centre as Smith says.

I'm sorry Hindle, I assumed people kept up with the news elsewhere, especially in the main news channels

anyway, back to the entry in FA's Fantasy Rugby league...

It's Proxima Centauri. I think it's important that we not impose an identity on the inhabitats that they may find offensive until we know for sure we can kick their ass.

Agree, next weekends games are big ones, Leigh face KR, Salford go to Leeds and London are at Hudds, if Salford lose ( likely), Leigh win (again likely) and if London get any result against Hudds then i think the cat will be well and truly amongst the pidgeons. If this happens then Leigh only need another 2 points to be promoted automaticailly.

Need a couple of beefy ready for action props similar to Clark and i think we will have a shot at the top 4 next year, there are a few decent players in the Championship who im sure would like a crack with Bradford, especially if a SL team is coming down which h does look likely and by that time they might struggle to find a club we could be ready and waiting.

You think Leigh winning away at HKR is likely?? Err no. That would be an even bigger upset than their win over Salford.

Stranger things have happened

Indeed.

They are called 'strange things', because they don't happen very often, though!

They have can you imagine a side having to play Fev in pole position in a vital game and not appearing to give a sh*t about it on the day?

Thanks VBFG, I did mix them up, Alpha Centauri Rovers already play in the Supernova league...

I reckon the RFL knew that this BlackKnight-esque levels of bravado would exist amongts fans, thus making their faux promotion contest more credible and not rejected as a joke out of hand.

But in reality KR will pagger Leigh and Hudds will whup London, and that's the bottom line.

I thought that Dr K might turn up at your gaff if the Salford thing doesn't work for him.

Pitts to Broncos confirmed, and Rhys Lovegrove has retired and joined the coaching staff as a conditioner.

Rhys working with the academy on strength and conditioning and on matchday according to the website.

Doesn't actually sure if they mean matchday for the academy or first team, though I'd assume the academy.

liking look of squad so far. seems like door isnt totally shut on olbison depending on who else we bring in. couple of second rowers and couple of props main players still needed according to smith which seems about right.

5 or 6 new players says Smith.

I wonder if this includes Pryce? Let's say it does.

Let's put some names to the gaps and start some rumours!

Ben Evans
Joe Philbin
Big blokes from Sheffield - Mexico? James?
Ryan Verlinden
Try again for Ioane?

Any of those would do me.