Well apart from a mathematical one, because 4 teams will go up, would you care to say why?
Because, nothing has happened so far to suggest we will be better.
We actually finished SIXTH on points actually won, before deductions, in a league of 10 clubs.
And as things stand (I know it will change) our side is CONSIDERABLY weaker.

Yes I will have a go S-O

4 teams go up.
The club seem to be stabalising under the current management.
Think TM & his coaching staff have done a decent job without a lot of money to spend.
With a bit more consistancy we could have finished in the top 4.

Its going to be tough but I fancy us .

I think they have done a very good job, I am not knocking the hard work that has been put in and the good set of lads we have put together.
But we need a quantum leap in terms of the quality of incomers to get us to the next level.
On a tight budget, how can that be achieved?
I can only see those type of players coming on loan.

FWIW I think we have to be targetting a top-4 finish and promotion as it's the only way we'll ever get any derby matches and the chance of better gates. On top of that with potential 'new' Clubs arriving on the scene in 2013 it may become even more difficult to get out of Championship One after next season.

Can we do it? Why not. Yes some players have left but others will arrive (some already have). There are keys areas which need strengthening and this is something the Club have said they are aware of and working on.

So given a little more improvement next season and a little more consistency we have a decent chance. Why, you may ask?

We were very close at one point to charging into second place last season but suffered one or two crucial losses. I admit with Whitehaven's points deduction you could argue that if we had we may only have been the third best team morally but we have 4 spots to aim for next season and additionally, and this is quite a big factor for me, no Swinton or Keighley and two teams replacing them whose ability to compete week-in-week out may be questionable.

The bookies don't fancy Crusaders even in Championship One and to be honest neither do I and can Barrow recover immediately, I'm not convinced. I can't honestly see how there will be enough players in Cumbria for each of the three sides to mount a serious challenge considering the potential payment structure in this division (although I accept that may come back to bite me, they do at least have some 'local' derbies).

So for me, yes the top-4 is definitely achievable.

i aggree we should be looking top 4 minimum, i also think looking back we maybe should have pushed the budget boundarys to get promotion last year then derbies nxt year equals more bums on seats but thats just me! plus players might not want to leave to play higher level or could attract more players!

If clubs who finish 4th & 5th reach the Grand Final then clubs who finish 1st & 2nd would be promoted.

It should be clubs who finish 1st, 2nd,3rd & 4th. In my humble opinion .

sorry i thought it was top 4 went up its going to be confusing come end of season

No its def not the top 4. It is the top club , the 2 clubs who get to the grand final & the highest placed league club. see www.therfl.co.uk/news Hope this helps.

No its def not the top 4. It is the top club , the 2 clubs who get to the grand final & the highest placed league club. see www.therfl.co.uk/news Hope this helps.