After much toing and froing, we are set to KO the new season at a new venue in 19 days time.

Here are my predictions for the season.

First win: Away to Sheffield (April)
Fist Home win: Newcastle (May)
2 Wins in a Row: August
Biggest home gate: 2,150
Lowest home gate: 500
Average gate: 1,000
Finishing Position: 9th
Coach Sacked: May

Presumably Bradford are bringing the 2,000?

1st home win Widnes
1st away win Barrow
I think there are a few sides that are nothing special, a lot depends on momentum and injuries. Additionally with an almost entirely new team it is how quickly they gel. The string of away games over the summer may have a negative impact on our momentum. It does feel a bit like it could be a win one, lose one type season.
The difference this year is whilst the top 2 sides are in a different league to us, teams like Halifax and Bradford now look a bit too good for us as well. I think the top 6 is too big an ask. Maybe 7th would be a realistic target for a PT team that needs to bed in.

Doubtful.....I was thinking widnes opener

Dont see us beating Widnes seeing this is the first game they will have played in anger. New team, new coach, first ever game togther, receipe for disaster.

If they had scheduled two or three hard pre-season games to sharpen up as a team, then maybe would beat widnes, but with no match experience together as a team don't see it happening

It’s a good choice for an opening game. Widnes are decent but not world beaters. If the new venue/ new era vibe permeates we may get a strong performance but as you say new team with little Championship experience.

I note 1st team and staff lists now on the website. Only Mike Eccles retained from last year on training staff. I assume JyMel as (joint) head coach is an error. Not sure about the pictures framing the list. One majors on Varela scoring a try for U18s. As we’ve let him go (I assume) not sure it’s fair to the kid and the other majors on Egodo, who has left, and Latu just before his unsuccessful trial last year. Best forgotten id have thought.

Apparently we played Salford last weekend, behind closed doors

Lowest gate of the season one assumes!

Any details about this game at Salford? Was it a training hit out or a properly contested game? Score and players used?

Widnes bring 2,000. LOL, they only have a few hundred more home fans, full stop! LOL

Careful.

Smithers buddy......I'm rarely too far wrong when it comes to the basket case that is London Broncos.
Next step. Contact every single person they sold tickets to for yesterday offering a chance to win a box when they book for the next home game.
Strike whilst the iron is hot.
Edit: hope they're as keen to announce gates for the rest of the season. They were reticent in recent years......

Absolutely agree they should be making creative use of the new contact list and quickly as you state. Whether it's a box or something else, give first timers (and to me there were 2,182 first timers at Plough Lane for a Rugby League match) a reason to book future match tickets. That includes Membership holders who have already done exactly that by committing to the season.

There are different strategies, the big prize (like the box you suggest) or something extra with your first full priced purchase. For example at AFC Wimbledon's only home friendly they needed four thousand in the |West Stand to get a safety certificate. A high profile match with Brentford was arranged for that purpose. But crowds weren't allowed in stadiums at that point. Instead the only option was a match with Shorpe. It was essential to get the numbers to allow all the stadium to be opened for the opening League match. Not only was entry free but a free pint thrown in for every attendee. I'm not saying people will buy a ticket just to get a free pint, but by directly engaging its amazing how often those sitting on the fence will say "let's go this week, there's a free pint". The more times you get a repeat visitor, the more likely they will turn into a frequent full paying attendee.