Yep. That's exactly how I see it.

The whole ethos of IMG was to be an independent body with no affiliation. They produced a point’s system approved by all clubs and provided each with an interim report showing what was required to maximise their ratings. We have invested heavily to fill those areas of deficiencies.
With regards London they knew what they had to do but sadly they took the option to take the income and spend nothing towards improving their score as far as I can tell. They appear to be basing their SL future on their name and location which worked at the inception of SL with the little turf accountant’s desire to appease Sky when they were fast tracked along with Paris in place of Keighley and Widnes. I actually believe that IMG will not have the same restraints and will stick to the points system they created.

I find it absolutely ludicrous that media or certain individuals are trying to scrap the IMG criteria in favour of promotion and relegation….

It’s literally not even been the first year of 10 of the new format. There’s no history or data to form a real analysis.

Promotion and relegation in recent times hasn’t really helped the sport secure more investment or a better tv deal. And it hasn’t made clubs more sustainable long term.

I can only put it down to lack of understanding, personal protection of their club if it doesn’t have a high score and resistance to change or adapt.

One of the best things about the championship has been the genuine warmth which other clubs...and fans...have welcomed us with. Apart from the ball boys at Fev! I know part of this will be down to the financial boost of our away following, but I think it's down to much more than that, a genuine respect for the game and the opponents. Some of the 'bigger' clubs could do with toning down their arrogance and follow suit.

The championship is a good competition and for second league the attendances between around 500-3000 is pretty good I think.

There’s a few clubs that have some real potential long term to become strong clubs.

I honestly think that given the effort to find some decent investment in sponsorship and tv deals (not every game but 1/2 per round) that the clubs could certainly flourish.

If they could look for a deal half the value of the SL and apply central funding to 50% of what SL clubs get then the Championship could become a really positive competition.

There just doesn’t seem any willingness from the top to really drive it or find the investment.

One of those individuals being the president of the RFL! Honestly, the sport doesn`t help itself in terms of reputation at all.

It’s such a shame though. Being in the championship I honestly believe that the clubs are mostly left just to get on with it and fend for themselves. It’s so very bizarre how it’s been cast aside almost.

Why not increase the SL to 14.

Restructure championship and League 1 into a slightly bigger single league.

Re-imagine the Championship with fresh branding, promote a new image and relaunch and secure a tv deal aiming for 40-50% of the SL value over 3-5 years.

All clubs in championship to get around 300-400 central funding to support a strong part time squad and or to use off field to grow.

It feels like a couple of clubs are struggling at the moment. If the sport could seriously invest in the championship as its own comp instead of a bolt on to SL then it would strengthen the sport from bottom up.

Any deal the SL has to have a cut is ridiculous tbh. Both comps should have their own nagotiated deals independently. It’s just a barrier for growth.

MONEY

Definitely. But there will never be any without any motivation or serious ambition to seek it out.

They are only interested in the now and that does not involve splitting the Sky money 14 ways.

But that's the point of IMG recommendation. They want to make a league of teams that are self sustaining, so that the Sky money isn't as big an impact.

Halifax in trouble, seems a worst situation than Whitehaven. https://t.co/knB0rAPLoV

Halifax in trouble, seems a worst situation than Whitehaven. https://t.co/knB0rAPLoV

York beat Sheffield to leapfrog the Eagles into 4th on points difference

Fev can go 5th if they beat. Dewsbury by 26+, and 4th if they win by more than 80

Widnes could go into 4th if they can beat Toulouse, which would then give Bradford a chance of 2nd spot if they beat Halifax

Confirms my view that this is a very competitive division apart from us at the top and Dewsbury at the bottom. We'll need to be on top form come the play offs.

York vs Fev next week should be a cracker. In effect it’s a play off for the play offs.

Both Widnes & Sheffield should win, so the loser likely to be 7th & the winner 4th. Suspect that Fev will miss out & we will end up playing York in the PO semi at BV.