rule was brought in as marketing manager so I'm happy that he's increased revenues in key areas, however much of this is from the impetus we had which started under plummer's leadership (which wasn't great but better than rule's) and has been the result of a more successful side on the field rather than anything else. Plummer was also the one who started the ball rolling on the NHS partnership.

Unfortunately, he's also presided over a catalogue of errors, which have been costly in direct financial terms and also significant intangible damage has been done.

People can try and convince themselves of the positives all they want but does anyone think the club is in a better overall position now than it was 3 years ago?

They're in the entertainment business. Every aspect of the club revolves around having a reasonably successful side on the pitch. The rubbish that is being served us right now will soon see crowds drop below 10k on a regular basis, particularly given that we're the most expensive side in SL to watch

So Plummer was a better CEO than Rule, then? FWIW I'm not sure that any of the CEOs in RL are world class.



Financially and commercially we are in a better position, with higher average attendances (even adjusted for the derby), higher season ticket sales and better sponsorship. I agree that these are on the back of 2 challenge cup finals and successive play-off finishes (apart from last year) and that unless we get our act together this season these will drop off. I would hope not to regularly below 10k, but who knows?

From a playing perspective the biggest gap is creativity - effectively exchanging Brough for Thorman at 7 and Cooke for Radford and Loose. A massive step backwards. Backs (on paper) aren't that much different but we've been short due to injury, forwards (on paper) also not much different if you say Lauaki replaces Carvell, Crocker replaces Kearney, but we've been short due to visa issues and this has led to us being hamstrung in getting a decent replacement for Crocker in this season.

Afternoon Rich

cant advertise like you tho in all fancy colours

Definitely. Other than commit the major sin of not getting our best players to sign and a couple of minor salary cap breaches he didn't really do much wrong in his time at the club. He presided over the club in the transition from the merger, through the move to the KC, overseeing the assembly of the best squad of players we have had in 20+ years at the club. He was also in charge for the CC win in 2005 and the GF appearance in 2006. He wasn't as media friendly as rule but had significantly more business experience. Unfortunately, on of his major failings was he was an accountant by trade

Still, Challenge Cup Winner - can't take that away from him.

anyone know why the game is tomorrow night?! Seems a bit daft having a stand alone SL fixture on a weeknight when its not bank holiday. Could have understood today, or if it was a rearranged fixture but wtf is it tomorrow?

Sky had a full schedule for today and with neither team having a game this coming weekend they decided to move it to Tuesday so they could show the game.