According to ME we are spending considerably more then any other team in the championship on our squad this year, I think anything less then not winning the GF will be a failure on the field. If we can’t win the championship with our financial clout and set up, if/when we get back into SL with basically the same coaching set up it wouldn’t fill me with hope of achieving that consistent top 6 like ME has set us out to be. I believe there’s pressure on Powell to deliver especially after having all the funds at Wire and delivering sweet FA.

It’s first for me too, but nothing else will do is a bit daft.

No point building an all conquering championship team only to have to totally rebuild it for SL.

For example I think Gale will smash next season but I doubt he’s got a SL season left, hence the need to build.

Nowhere has DP or ME stated winning is the be all and end all. Of course that’s the preference for a number of reasons, but frankly they won’t mind how we get there so long as we do.

You and a few others seem to have decided that Ellis endless reserves of cash, well he doesn’t. He needs to reserve every penny to assault SL, So no need to break the bank just to show off in the Championship. And he would have to spend an absolute fortune to dominate it. Have a look at the other teams we will play, a few of those are not far off bottom end SL. I don’t think you can sensibly buy guaranteed success in this league, people are wise to what Leigh did.

So I don’t agree with you and privately I doubt DO does, he knows what’s needed to get into SL and that’s what he’s building for.

Just my opinion.

We are spending big but on players for the future.

In terms of squads for next season I don’t think we are much ahead of a number of teams, though that may alter.

Of course the aim is to win, but I’m not sure it’s vital. TBH nobody will care once we are back in SL and Ellis cash really makes a difference.

Powell will be under pressure imho if we don’t maintain top four and a close top four at that. Then we can strengthen for the playoffs as we did in 1998

I totally agree that our squad at this point doesn’t look head and shoulders above say Fev, they have made some decent astute signings whilst cutting away dead wood. I feel we need to win the league next year more so for our fan base, to keep building. It’s no secret we are a shoe in for SL 2025, and with that will already be targeting players that far ahead as has been discussed by ME and DP.

I agree, just got to spend enough to have a good chance to win. We don’t need to bankrupt ourselves to prove a point.

There are a number of reasons why we are favourites to get into SL next year, and winning the GF is just one. My point is it’s not the only objective. Long term we have to prepare for SL and that means buying some players who may not at this moment be as good as some players at other clubs. It’s a balancing act.

If we are ever to truly compete in SL we have to get far more things right than just the staring 17.

I’m not being negative I want us to romp the Championship in a way that sends the message out, But other things do come into play.

Of course a lot depends on what recruitment is to come. By my calculations it at least another 8. I grew that depending on who they are winning the GF does become more of an issue.

Just a debate for now.

I’m in agreement with PT, the things we do on the field of play will positively affect the off field stuff where we can increase our IMG score by more. Then add in the on field points that come from winning the 1895 Cup, topping the League and winning the Grand Final. Finally if ME decides to put LED advertising boards around the pitch, we should build enough points to secure our place in the top 12 and keep other clubs from overtaking us.

https://youtu.be/grkbEpIafm4?si=Vn_Y3zIh0qO3ni5e New GM, David Tucker - great to see the regular Youtube updates

https://youtu.be/grkbEpIafm4?si=Vn_Y3zIh0qO3ni5e New GM, David Tucker - great to see the regular Youtube updates

But that’s always been the case at ours and every club ,get the team playing good open attractive rugby and winning games is always going to attract fans, both old and new . Last season we had the core fans supporting the club as we went through our Annus Horribilis ,and lots took a break from a painful season . This coming season the expectations are on a all time high and fans have bought into the hype ,and all the team has to do is win games and keep the fans entertained in the process and it’s a win win . The icing on the cake is the new facilities which will come on stream and will enhance the spectator experience on match days and beyond . But for me the most important part of the jigsaw is the team winning games , because at the end of the day that’s what we’ve ever wanted all along , everything else is a Brucie bonus

Nice to see ya......to see ya, nice

Being good in the field is not enough at Wakefield.
If you look at the average attendances in our most successful years since the 60s it's still not above the 7,500 Mark.
Part of that is the facilities which are getting better and the active marketing and engagement.
We are getting that together by the looks of it but it won't just happen with success on the field.

It's strange how much cash this new era is going to save many of us who ploughed money into the club over the past god knows how many years.
I can't remember what the cost of the Platinum Ticket for the NS was for 2023 but probably £300 with the shirt. So that is a saving of £150 but I don't get a shirt and as I bought online for the 1st time I won't routinely be visiting the club shop.
Trinity TV has gone to be replaced by free to view alternatives, so another £50.
Is the lottery now a frivolous expense even if it continues?
The club certainly won't be asking for donations/share purchases?

Has Trinity TV gone now?

No point putting content behind a paywall.

I understand what you mean, I just hadn't seen that they'd taken it down.

All I know is I tried watching the last game of the season the other day and there were only 4 full games on the whole thing when you logged in and I still couldn't even watch anything. So I just put it down to either some kind of software problem or a move to a more streamlined system.