Currently looks like 17 players if you assume all those under 21 aren't match day picks unless we are really short. But even that 17 is too weighted towards the backs, although I'm assuming Natoli will be a starting centre (primarily as we are so short there once again). The obvious gaps at the moment are centre and second row, I think there is a starting position open for one each in those positions.

Since Rugby League seems very much a seventeen man game, I think currently we can carry no more than one injury. We were told to expect the signings by Christmas; just not sure which Christmas.

I guess we may get a couple of loans. But I think only Sam Davis helped last season. Others weren't good enough (I was totally unimpressed by Ferreira) or too short term.

Feels like the starting 17 are mid table competitive. But that's it. But those 17 won't be available every week, so the current squad is going to be worse than that.

My positive view is if we bring in 3 or 4 first 13 standard players then the overall squad looks pretty good and could attack the final play-off spot. A couple of quality season long loans plus a couple of Australian/Pacific players then maybe. That's a lot to find (at that level) at this late stage.

Realistically I fear something similar to last season as we struggle early and resolve some of the issues half way through.

As it stands, one month out, difficult not to see that it will be another challenging year. As is, bottom 4 seems realistic. I hope we spread the wins out a bit though - may assist morale and gate receipts. We also are unlikely to be able to default to Skolars when we run thin on numbers as we’ve kind of shown our hand there - many went straight back - difficult to think they would have given glowing reports even should the players be of “the standard”. If we don’t get our recruitment drive into second gear we may end up giving Hammersmith Hill Hoists and North Herts Crusaders a bell come March time.

Have often pondered why the amateur game in London hasn't made bigger strides given Broncos have been around for 40 odd years training umpteen academy players. It may be rose tinted glasses, but I reckon Peckham & London Colonials were far stronger in the 80s than Hoists or Chargers are now. Either might even be a good match for Skolars too.

I've tried to think of a way to blame Hughes for it, but can't think of one at the moment.

Pretty much think apart from cricket (as its a summer game) all team sports have suffered owing to Premier League football taking all the money from a shrinking pool

Not sure the pool is shrinking, sports attendance was at record level in the UK in 2022 boosted by Commonwealth Games and Women's Euros. Attendance at Women's sport in general is growing. Football does dominate though accounting for 2/3 of all attendance.In a city the size of London we should be able to attract 5,000 fans.

We did....and then Hughes took sole control