This time next week we will excitedly be awaiting the big reveal of who makes the 21 weekend match squad ... or more specifically who of the 22 permanent squad will be missing out on contention for the final 17 match day squad.

The off pitch plans for next Sunday look good. But are there going to be the numbers present to create an atmosphere in the fans village and will the outlets temper their prices to get enough "buyers". Looking at the food list I'm guessing two of the regulars at AFC Wimbledon may be present; the Pizza van and the combined Vegan and Burger stall.

A year late, but I think they are trying the right things and hope it comes off because it has the potential to make a difference. Never have I previously attended a Football match where fans actually treat the food/entertainment as part of the event as happened at Plough Lane last year. But even then 1000's still purposely eat/drink outside the ground. Once past the winter months, there is a great opportunity here for the Broncos. My suspicion is it will be so/so to begin with, the weather playing a big part. What I would say, is getting players there to be interviewed would entice me to get there to listen. In other words something that interests the pure Rugby fan which I think is a high number of the current crowd. The new set-up will be more about getting newbies in and re-visiting. Hard not to return if your young kids want to play, meet the mascots etc again.

Looking forward to next Sunday although the fact the local station is closed for works on Sunday adds a further half hour to my journey. Here’s hoping we put in a performance.

Talking of travel woes I hear that the Elizabeth Line ( Eastern end of it) is not running on Sunday.
May affect some of us coming into town from Essex , Kent and suburbs

Which station is closed ? Don't see Wimbledon affected on the SWT map.

Interesting to see that we are not the only ones running with a trimmed squad this season, although there does seem to be a degree more forethought with the Toulouse set up in comparison to ourselves and staying full-time has necessitated a smaller playing squad. Will be interesting to see how their reserve grade prospects make the step-up when called upon. Greg Richards signed for them over the weekend and appears to be the last 'piece of the puzzle'; https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/to ... confirmed/ Also seem to be treading a bit of a tightrope in terms of finances after last season; https://www.totalrl.com/toulouse-olympi ... vy-losses/

Interesting to see that we are not the only ones running with a trimmed squad this season, although there does seem to be a degree more forethought with the Toulouse set up in comparison to ourselves and staying full-time has necessitated a smaller playing squad. Will be interesting to see how their reserve grade prospects make the step-up when called upon. Greg Richards signed for them over the weekend and appears to be the last 'piece of the puzzle'; https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/to ... confirmed/ Also seem to be treading a bit of a tightrope in terms of finances after last season; https://www.totalrl.com/toulouse-olympi ... vy-losses/

I live in Hockley, Essex and there seems to be no rail service all the way through to Liverpool Street (including Elizabeth line) from Shenfield,for the next six weekends, which makes it difficult for me to get to the first two home games. The lack of parking around PL puts me off driving

I mean the station near me that I need to get to the Victoria line and the. Onto the northern line to Tooting Broadway. Now it’s drive Piccadilly line, Victoria line, northern line. We better not be sxxx.

Another interview with Eccles in The Guardian today. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/ ... -wimbledon Most interesting bit for me is where he says the club has attracted some more investment. From where I wonder ? Lets hope this means Hughes can shuffle off.

Another interview with Eccles in The Guardian today. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/ ... -wimbledon Most interesting bit for me is where he says the club has attracted some more investment. From where I wonder ? Lets hope this means Hughes can shuffle off.

Marcus Stock was announced as a Prop but equally appears to be a Second Row. He was primarily an Interchange for York last year, but I see he started a match in the Second Row. He has been allocated the Number 12 shirt this season. So I'm thinking he will be primarily a Second Row player this season. I'm anticipating a starting line-up like this tomorrow:

Walker

Ulberg
Bassett
Grant
Macani

Leyland
Raiwalui

Albert
Davis
Williams or Bienek (depends how the coach wants to utilise Bienek)
Lovell
Stock
Parata

Interchanges:
Bienek or Williams
Silva
Natoli
Horsman

Bienek and Williams appear to have swapped shirt numbers this season, wearing 15 and 10 respectively. It's only a shirt number but I'm guessing the plan is to start Williams with Bienek being an impact interchange. Bienek appeared to be used in short spells last season, so starting as an Interchange shouldn't limit his playing time in the way it would do to Parata for example.

Selection options once Waine arrives (assuming its before Silva's loan expires). With Waine and Natoli looking like they will play second Row or Loose Forward, then when Silva leaves I suspect Stock will become a Interchange primarily covering the Props.

I've seen some predictions for Batley to win by 30. Unless the Broncos are totally unprepared I'd be surprised if it wasn't considerably closer.

Looks like I was wrong on the shirts front although not sure they are on sale to the general public and we didn’t do the usual public facing launch so I’m guessing all last minute. On the sponsors front they slipped an announcement out on the website (late doors?)Saturday. I’ll let others consider the list but it doesn’t look of the type we have seen in recent years and I’m not sure we have a front of short sponsor , but my eyes may be deceiving me. Tough times in the capital for RL.

2 kids from Wigan have joined the squad for a month

Does this officially make the Broncos, Wigan's reserve team. Isn't that three on a short term loan? Probably a good thing to be from one club. They will be familiar with each other on and off the pitch. Particularly off the pitch they will keep each other company; I assume Silva at least has local family/friends. Handle these loans well for Wigan and it increases the chance of extensions, further loans etc from them which considering the Broncos only real recruitment area appears to be Australia/Pacific Islands it's probably a very beneficial alternative.

If he can still walk at 74, I would prefer Dave Eckersley, but grateful for any reinforcements coming our way.