..and that is the crux of it, imo. To be right, I'd fully agree with all of that, [iif[/i we were remaining in our current division, but we won't be, so we need a solid side to play in the lower division and I can't see any of our current crop as not being good enough to be in a top champ1 side and a few who should be stars in it. However we'll see who leaves and arrives, well if they deign to let us know, we will.

Did you go to the game? My mates lad made his debut last night interesting to hear how he got on

The Chisholms of this world might stay a year if a) paid enough and b) we are more towards the Toronto end of the spectrum and less towards the Del Boy. Toronto were easily able to sell a season in the stiffs to many half decent players and it isn't just money though that helps, a feeling that you could be part of something going places would be a big factor. A feeling that we have no players, no mabition, and no money would be a big factor in the oposite direction.

Exactly what I was thinking. We'll be able to see what ambition there is from the club owners once we see the 2018 squad take shape.

I agree with signing who we can from the young talent (although some will obviously get better offers). But we need to get away from the notion that playing in League 1 will be a breeze and they players can just get away with their mistakes.

League 1 is actually two leagues in one. The bottom half are basically development teams - a mix of DR and local players, and the standard is barely better (or perhaps lower) than National Conference. But the top half will be similar to what we have been used to with the Championship teams - lots of big ugly forwards who've been around for years, lots of grubby tactics, lots of physical encounters that won't be for the faint hearted. We need some tough forwards who will fight fire with fire!

Bear in mind that we'll have the other relegated team (Oldham, Swinton or whoever), together with the team that doesn't get promoted along with Toronto. So there might be Whitehaven, Keighley, York, Hunslet, Workington, Barrow... teams that aren't just going to roll over to a bunch of kids just because it's Bradford Bulls. Then there's the whole 'it's our Cup Final' thing that you get whenever lower teams play us.

It won't be easy by any means...

Could argue that Gibson and Tonga are also too good for NL1 and they have seemingly signed up for next year.

"lower teams" we are lower than a snakes ball sack..

25% of the current squad wouldn't get into a good conference team.

we really need to shed the $hit and build whatever league we are in.. AGAIN!

It definitley will not be easy.I watched the York v Toronto match on Premier last week and if thats the indication of the top end of League 1 then we could be in for a torrid time in some of the matches.The pace and physicality was easily up there with what weve seen this season and no little skill neither.

Indeed. Could be like our relegation into the championship where we were quickly dragged down a level and before you know it became also rans.

Take our friends in Keighley. They've gone from being a championship side to also rans in C1. That could happen to us. We need to have some reliable old heads to guide the promising kids and a couple of enforcers.

Rise and shine - its groundhog day

We are now discussing if we can put out a good side to keep near the top of League 1.

Who would have thought that we would plummet from SL so fast.

When we hit the bottom of the barrel please can someone wake me up so that I can enjoy the rise to the top again

Well we're supposed to have dyed in the wool rugby league men running the show now, so I'm neither worried about shedding some of the current players, who frankly won't be good enough as long as they have holes in their heads and the right recruits for next year.

Time for Mr. Lowe to tear himself away from his old boys lunches, and get on a plane to assess some proper players.

That is the least of my expectations as a fan.

Yes, I'd welcome a bit of a mini clear out and re-build around what is left of some of our youngsters or players who genuinely have the stomach for the fight. Still carrying too many passengers who talk a good game in the press but ultimately come up short when it gets a bit tasty or come up against enthusiastic part time players.

It's also surely about time we heard on arguably the most important appointment... who is going to be coaching this bunch? Toovey has been very coy about his plans for the long term. It's perhaps up for debate as to whether he's the right man for that division anyway, can't say we've seen much benefit of his NRL experience this year. Wonder if John Kear could be tempted away from Wakefield?

The problem I see is all good league one players will be signed up by now! So how are we going to compete

Who knows, but I guess that can be the excuse for next years failings too. Given the lack of information we continue to be given I'm pretty much decided that I'll be looking at doing something else to fill my Sunday's next year other than perhaps the odd match if I can be bothered.