If the league continues it's progress in establishing parity, we're only going to win an average of half our games. Is that going to see attendances crashing?

I'm suprised no one has pointed out one obvious fact, the Southstander holds 2000 less people this year and I do know of about 10/15 who have stopped coming because of the overcrowding and displacement this has caused.

You could say that more would come as games are more likely to be close and entertaining, thats a bigger attraction for many than always winning

An interesting point young sir, depends on wether you prefer a genuine competitive competition where the so called bottom teams can triumph on a more regular basis against the "top" teams or to the dark old days of one dominant team steam rolliing all before it .

Genuine competition for me.

Dont get me wrong, ive been as gutted as everyone else at losing games that we are "expected" to win, but if that is the price for a more competitive league than so be it.

Unfortunatly supporters weened on constant success will no doubt fall by the wayside as the competition increases, in their eyes seeing their team becoming worse when actually the teams behind are catching up with the "top" teams , yet those supporters who are a bit more long in the tooth/wiser will still be stood on the terraces long after the "glory" supporters have gone.

I don't think the chances of getting beaten are a problem for supporters, otherwise why would our sellouts over recent years have mostly been against the teams most likely to beat us. Both before and after we became a sucessful side.

Real supporters, no i agree, glory seeking band-waggoners? most certainly.

A pertinent point.

I know the markets are not entirely comparable but in the NFL parity does not mean lower attendances. In fact, the biggest attended team in the league for years have not been champions for 18 years.

Redskins?

Yes. They avarage about 88,000 a home game and often sell out at 91,000+ despite being a team that goes from average to awful to OK.

Still, next year the Cowboys will have a bigger stadium making them the worst team in the league with the biggest crowds.

Americas team my ar*e.

Patriots all the way. 68.000+ average not too shabby. [size(for 15th place

It depends how that parity is reached. If the team (and I include everyone from the Chairman down to the Academy set up) gives 100% win, lose or draw and the lower half teams have caught up rather than the top half teams getting dragged down then I would hope and expect the genuine fans to stay committed.

What is happening over at Odsal is a concern, although arguably more of a concern for them rather than for the league as a whole. In my view they are returning to what they have historically been which is an unfashionable outfit, playing in an unfashionable stadium where 'Bullmania' was the blip.