Quote: Pie_Eyter "I think your argument hinges on things weakening rather than strengthening. ]II see where you are going but i think those arguments are a little 'glass half empty' The talent pool being spread thinner means clubs would have to start using their academy players more as opposed to bringing in overseas players. Thats a plus for me. '"
Oh for sure it's pessimistic. I think there are benefits to going to 14 teams eventually but we can't just pretend there aren't hurdles. History tells us that the promoted teams tend to bring in experienced journeymen at the expense of youngsters because they need to stay up. Already I, and others, are saying we should be touting Clark and Hankinson to Leigh, for example. Players who weren't good enough for SL last year, but may be starters next year even with one team coming up. What standard of player ends up on the pitch when you add in a further two teams and one of them picks up a few injuries?
More youngsters would inevitably get opportunities at some point as well (e.g Clark goes to Leigh so Kilner gets the odd game here). That's OK at Wigan because we have the best academy. Are the clubs further down the pecking order ready to cope with that demand, or do we end up with players on the pitch who should really be playing at a lower level, or more NRL has-beens over for one last payday? That's the biggest hitch IMO. Same number of players available, 60 or so more required to play Super League regularly.
Quote: Pie_Eyter "The championship weakens, yes it does but it also allows clubs like Barrow, Newcastle, London Skolars, West Wales Raiders and Coventry the opportunity to get there and start building for the future. Newcastle are already making great strides in that area. '"
Not sure how familiar you are with League 1 so apologies if this sounds patronising. The quality is bloody awful, worse than amateur level in many cases (hence NCL sides regularly beating League 1 sides in the CC). The sides with a shout of coming up aren't the exciting expansion teams. It would likely be two of Barrow/Keighley/Rochdale. They aren't building for the future, they are in a permanent state of trying to keep their heads above water. In fact I've long argued that they should just merge the NCL and League 1. West Wales wouldn't even be in the top two divisions if they did that.
Forget that bit though, what about the remaining Championship teams? They were all reliant on some loan/Dual Reg players every week to fulfil fixtures. The players they would have loaned will now be playing SL for whoever. What quality of player can they loan now? The problem trickles down.
Quote: Pie_Eyter "Play offs, academy etc '"
Agree with all this. The reserves league needs to be in place for three years before we can consider 14 teams IMO. That way you may have enough players ready to step up.
