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| Player Coach | 8991 | Doncaster RLFC |
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| Sep 2009 | 16 years | |
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| Feb 2025 | Jun 2024 | LINK |
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| Quote Andy Gilder="Andy Gilder"In a way, the "middle 8" system is the only way of ensuring that if a team is to drop out of the top division it is replaced by one of a similar standard.
Kicking teams out of the competition because they aren't competitive on the field, only to replace them with one of a similar or even smaller ability to be competitive, isn't going to help strengthen that competition.'"
Agreed. But I doubt any system is perfect. We will have to see if the crowds start to turn around. If in 3 years it has had no effect, I imagine they will look to change the system once more.
In the end there is a lack of cash and that can only grow through, corporate, crowds, chairmen or TV. |
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| Rank | Posts | Team |
| International Star | 5246 | Wakefield Trinity |
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| Mar 2014 | 11 years | |
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| Aug 2025 | Feb 2025 | LINK |
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| Quote bewareshadows="bewareshadows"The thing is Leigh won't be playing a Wigan or a Leeds. They will be playing teams that are at the bottom of the league. Teams low on moral, possibly carrying injuries, possibly under pressure in terms of not having a contract for the next season.
Leeds in the cup is a game with passion, but it was still a long way from reaching the goal of winning the Cup.
A team in the league, is again a one off game, the week after they maybe up against Featherstone or Sheffield. It's not an impossibility. People are calling it an illusion, but seem to discount completely that actually there is a pathway in place and they can grasp it as can Bradford.'"
Last season, at the same point of the season that the Middle gets underway this year Wakefield went on a run of games which saw them win 7 from 8, beating Leeds, Wigan, Warrington and St Helens during that period, hardly demoralised and injury ridden despite fighting bottom spot for large parts of the year.
It's the intensity and speed which will make the difference. |
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| International Star | 3213 | Bradford Bulls |
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| Sep 2012 | 13 years | |
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| Oct 2023 | Aug 2021 | LINK |
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| Quote The Avenger="The Avenger"Last season, at the same point of the season that the Middle gets underway this year Wakefield went on a run of games which saw them win 7 from 8, beating Leeds, Wigan, Warrington and St Helens during that period, hardly demoralised and injury ridden despite fighting bottom spot for large parts of the year.
It's the intensity and speed which will make the difference.'"
And that will depend, in part at least, on which refs are assigned to the Middle 8. Will it be SL refs, Championship refs or a mixture as the difference in the way the PTB is policed in the two leagues is noticeably different |
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| International Star | 7307 | No
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| May 2011 | 14 years | |
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I think both Leigh and Bradford could get promoted this year. But easily neither could. If neither do, I think it could be curtains for both as their best players get picked off. And no club will get promoted after that.
Injuries will play a huge part for all the teams involved. Even though we've a big squad, keeping Gaskell and Adam O'brien fit for the super 8 is huge.
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| Rank | Posts | Team |
| International Star | 6903 | Leigh Centurions |
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| Feb 2015 | 10 years | |
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| Jun 2025 | Sep 2024 | LINK |
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| Quote JEAN CAPDOUZE="JEAN CAPDOUZE"Leigh is a dreary suburb of Wigan. Having Leigh in Super League will be another nail in the M62 coffin for Super League that Nigel Wood has prepared.'"
Stick to your frogs legs buddy..We'll repay the compliment next season.. |
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| Rank | Posts | Team |
| International Star | 6903 | Leigh Centurions |
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| Feb 2015 | 10 years | |
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| Quote roofaldo2="roofaldo2"Why so? When Leigh beat Bradford they only scored 1 more try. Bradford are currently the top attacking side in the Championship and their defence is one of the top one too.
However, I don't believe the Middle 8 idea actually has any real chance of promotion for Championship teams, just the illusion of the possibility. There's a gulf in the speed at the PTB as well as nearly double the salary cap allowance. But I suppose we'll see at the end of the season.'"
Quote roofaldo2When Leigh beat Bradford they only scored 1 more try. Bradford are currently the top attacking side in the Championship and their defence is one of the top one too.'"
Just to refresh your memory..Leigh were down 20-6 at h/t..  |
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| Player Coach | 4474 | No
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| Jan 2009 | 17 years | |
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| Quote The Avenger="The Avenger"Last season, at the same point of the season that the Middle gets underway this year Wakefield went on a run of games which saw them win 7 from 8, beating Leeds, Wigan, Warrington and St Helens during that period, hardly demoralised and injury ridden despite fighting bottom spot for large parts of the year.
It's the intensity and speed which will make the difference.'"
Wasn't that 3 years ago? |
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| Rank | Posts | Team |
| International Star | 5246 | Wakefield Trinity |
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| Mar 2014 | 11 years | |
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| Quote Towns88="Towns88"Wasn't that 3 years ago?'"
Last season, just after Webster took over |
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| Player Coach | 1072 | Wigan Warriors |
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| Jun 2009 | 16 years | |
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| Jun 2022 | Jan 2022 | LINK |
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| Quote The Avenger="The Avenger"Last season, just after Webster took over'"
There is your key reason for the upturn in form from Wakefield at the end of last season. Getting rid of one failing coach and bringing in Webster boosted the poor morale and led to your players pulling away from the relegation fight. Many teams pick up after sacking a coach when the new man comes in. Without even thinking too hard two good examples spring to mind. London Broncos had a good end to the season a couple of years ago when Tony Rae replaced their sacked coach. About ten years ago Hull won something like 13 in a row and reached the GF after sacking the coach. There are other examples in RL and other sports. Hadn't you also got Tim Smith back (who works very well at your club) not long before as well. |
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| International Star | 6903 | Leigh Centurions |
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| Feb 2015 | 10 years | |
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| You all seem to be a little edgy,with the middle 8's..... |
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| International Star | 536 | No
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| Feb 2015 | 10 years | |
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| Quote atomic="atomic"Just to refresh your memory..Leigh were down 20-6 at h/t..
'"
Just remind us all where the ref came from ........you can't beat a good half time ' team talk'. |
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| International Board Member | 8627 | Doncaster RLFC |
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| Nov 2003 | 22 years | |
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| Feb 2020 | Feb 2020 | LINK |
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| Quote roofaldo2="roofaldo2"And that will depend, in part at least, on which refs are assigned to the Middle 8. Will it be SL refs, Championship refs or a mixture as the difference in the way the PTB is policed in the two leagues is noticeably different'"
seeing as there are only 5 full time referees, you would assume they will be given the 4 top 8 games, with one of them dropping down into the middle 8's as required each week |
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