Some very interesting results this week. Is it beyond the realms of possibility that we could finish in the top 5? Before anyone shoots me down I think we'll probably finish mid-table come the season end. But there have been some very intersting results this weekend. Dewsbury beating Widnes comfortably. Halifax thumping York.

There is a clear top 4 in London, Fev, Toulouse and Leigh. But no one is making a case for that 5th spot, so why not us? We narrowly lost to both London & Fev who look a class above the rest of the league. Yesterdays second half was frustrating but I don't think we've done bad at all. Certainly better than how I thought we would go before the season started.

Widnes looked bang average and got comfortably beaten by Dewsbury.

Halifax up until the York game only has a last second victory over Sheffield. Are they consistent enough?

York are without a win and have London and Fev next. Only scored 14 in 3 games. They could be on 0 points after 5 games.

York will prob beat London, we'll lose to Sheffield to make this thread utterly pointless this time next week. But again I ask, why not us? The results so far show that the above teams aren't THAT much better than us.

I think the conditions are still playing a huge part in the results.
Knee deep in mud, howling winds and sleet most definitely level the playing field. And i include our games against Fev and London in that.

I say this without eny evidence and may be proven wrong but have there been any major upsets at London, Sheffield or Widnes. Those games played on the astro turf might give a better indication of where teams are at.

I just can't see how we could get in the playoffs. For us it's 8th or 9th surely. We are probably going to have a better season than Oldham, Whitehaven and Swinton. We should aim to finish higher than Batley and Dewsbury. York have been found out, they aren't a surprise package anymore so possibly our peers in this league. After that, I think they're all a bit better than us to be honest.

I have us finishing 9th by the odd point, particularly once injuries bite, but the team we had last year would have easily got into the 5 and then who knows - just makes the end of last year even harder to bear

I'll be happy with mid table, but it's way too early to start making assumptions, imo. As said above, let's let the grounds firm up a bit and then see where we are.

The uncertainty over the club's long term owners and stadium almost make the rugby we play this season an afterthought in my mind. We're miles off the best in the division and don't think we're good enough for the top 5. Hopefully we can finish 9th or higher and avoid a relegation scrap, keep the majority of this squad together for another season and bring in a few more bodies where required.
I do wonder how quickly our long term future will be sorted though. The longer it draws on the more anxious people will get.

The issue is going be squad depth once injuries really start to bite. For example if (when?) either Milnes or Lilley get crocked, we are playing an untried Academy kid...

I agree that there are a fair few 'much of muchness' type teams. York will suffer the second season syndrome, and I don't think London are anywhere close to where they were, as most of their best players have left. And Widnes, like us, are still trying to re-build from the bottom. The toughened Championship side, filled with seasoned players - Batley, Dewsbury, Halifax - will pick up wins against those teams simply because of their experience and savvy at this level.

I still think 8th or 9th would be a decent effort

There's much truth in that I guess, though personally, the fact that I have zero influence on, or knowledge about off-field stuff, means that, so long as things are ticking on, (which they seem to be) I don't really think too much about it. I'm very much in qué sera sera mode. And, before anyone tells me, I know I'll get bitten on the bum.....

If we can work on our consistency and cut out some of the panic play, then there's no reason we can't finish in a safe mid-table spot. Both the London and Fev games were games that Bradford lost rather than them being won by the opposition, IMO. A calmer and more focused performance in both games would have seen us pick up the points.

How long could we survive playing behind closed doors?
Would the RFL help out with paying the wages?
I hadn't thought of this till today when many sports clubs stated they would struggle badly if this came in.

I can't imagine any business surviving if it lost 95% of its income, with no reduction in overheads, over a longish period. I'm pretty sure that would include us.

would it be 95% of its income though? We would certainly lose food and drink income but I'd guess there's still a significant percentage of attendances being season ticket holders. Wouldn't hold my breathe for club refunding their tickets for matches held behind closed doors. More likely a voucher for shop or something. Plus we would save on matchday costs in terms of stewarding,bar staff etc. It would certainly cost club money but dont think it would be anywhere near 95% levels.

I've no idea on the actual percentage. It will be easily be the biggest part though and to suggest we could survive for a lengthy period without matchday income is being more than a bit hopeful. I can't see how they could avoid paying back people who were 'not allowed' to attend games - maybe they could re-instate the live streaming?

Maybe advertisers/sponsors would be happy to let it ride, maybe some fans would forgo the re-payments (I probably would, to be fair, if it kept the show on the road), let's hope it doesn't come to this.