Thought he was on shaky ground with his comments about Salford.

Did we not get a late winner against Wakey last year with an extra man on the pitch?

Agree with him re: the lack of firm of firm leadership from the RFL on certain matters but with regard to the farcical changes to the youth system, the majority of the clubs have a lot to answer for.

If our extra man was a French referee then yes, he gave us an extra tackle which we scored off.

Ah yes now I remember.

This is why I don't post much.

Back in my box for another few months.

I think the comment on strong leadership is slightly unfair.

Is the Warrington chairman, going to lead the way for Tony Smith, by Warrington giving up their right to vote on changes suggested by the RFL???

If we want strong leadership, then there needs to be less democracy and power more concentrated in the RFL. If you want democracy with the SL chairmen making decisions, then you have to accept a lack of leadership as the chairmen will each have their own idea's on what is best for them or for SL.

The RFL is a useful scapegoat for fans, but the real power lies with the clubs, not the RFL. The RFL is more akin to an advisory body for the SL chairmen.

Above posting is spot on.

Just watched Tony,sounded like a pitch for his next career!! could he be the strong leader the rfl needs?

Definitely time for change at the RFL. Nothing seems to be going particularly well at the moment - other than RLWC2013 which from what I've seen is being run pretty well by a specially created team.

Franchising has clearly had its faults but it did have some benefits too so I was a supporter of it coming in. However, it has now had its day and lack of P&R is clearly stifling competition in SL and killing ambition below SL. On top of that, the Academy changes voted in by some short-sighted SL clubs is ruining the good progress that had been made in youth development.

So, problems we have:
- lack of competitive games in SL;
- lack of clear reward for ambition below SL;
- youth development gone backwards;
- waning media profile (from an already low level);
- lack of sponsorship interest;
- declining crowds.

Some pretty big problems. However, do we really need to throw away everything we have and start again with some baffling, bizarre format? No, for me, all we need to do is:

- stick with 14 SL clubs;
- introduce 1 up/down automatic P&R;
- reduce playoffs to top 5 or 6;
- implement the u23s teams that the RFL review recommended;
- bring back the Great Britain team to play every 2 or 3 years.

Job done - all the above problems are in some way addressed by these solutions, which whilst will bring about change are not too drastic and simple to understand.

If you elect a leader you empower them to make decisions, SL chairmen make the calls based upon self interest - fact
The top 6 are not affected by P&R, they have the most money, the best juniors, the best players and we rely on them to fill the intl squad
The bottom 6 are most effected, produce few players and have thee same voting rights
Turkeys, Christmas .........

One of the best things that Super League did was get rid of promotion and relegation and bring in a licensing system. Straight up/down is incredibly in a sport that it is looking to develop its players and clubs.

The licencing system came off the back of the whole game review which led in turn to the need to build better stadium.
The whole game review culminated in a very good report
The fudge of the authorities was to give too many clubs a way out NOT to develop their stadia and facilities and increase their attraction to the public.

The other fudge was in regards to the 'financial stability' of clubs. How on earth could they give Bradford a 3 year licence based on financial health? It beggars belief - or shows that the accountants used by the clubs are cleverer than those employed by the RFL.

All we now need is (further) wholescale breaking of the salary cap....

I am concerned about Koukash's statements on this and in my view there should be draconian measures taken on any who transgress.
The previous 'slaps on the wrist' that I seem to remember kept some (including Wigan) in the top flight many years ago simply won't do.

Fudge is an appropriate word.

Best for whom?
Financial stability? Wakey,Bradford, Salford, Crusaders are fine examples
Even up the comp? Would you put your house on Wigan, Wire, Leeds not winning this years GF ? So since SL began we have had four GF winners and since frAnchising two
Increase the player pool? Yip, scrap teams and DC's says it all
Increase intensity? HKR 4 - how many Wigan
Salford, London, Cas, Widnes already have nothing to play for
Championships are dead and the heartlands amateur game is struggling
Is it all franchising-no but franchising has divided our sport and we are not big enough to be divided

If P&R does come back, would it be a good idea for the promoted team to meet a minimum standards criteria to enter the league. Such as in the Aviva Premiership?