...or,for those of a glass half-empty persuasion - the relegation dogfight!

I thought I would put the forthcoming fixtures here - so we don't forget them.

Our home games will be played on a Sunday afternoon with a 3pm k.o.

The away game at Stalybridge - against Oldham - is on Bank Holiday Monday

Round 1Sunday 14th August, 3.00pm – Whitehaven (H)

Round 3Sunday 21st August, 3.00pm – Swinton Lions (H)

Round 4Sunday 4th September, 3.00pm – Workington Town (H)

Round 6 Sunday 11th September, 3.00pm – Dewsbury Rams (H)

Round 7: Sunday 18th September, 3.00pm – Bradford Bulls (A)

I am very pleased at how Mark and the team have turned the season round and have made critics like me eat our words, not an unpleasant felling tbh. I look forward to at least making the Shield final.

I shall feel a lot better when the players manage 2 consecutive home wins - coming up (?) - at far from salubrious Bawtry Road.

Mark Aston has done a remarkable job. Off -field issues of investor withdrawal - uncertainty surrounding new stadium and regime change.

Starting the season with possibly the smallest squad number in any of the 3 leagues.

Replacing the captain and vice-captain and bringing in 2 on loan from France seem to have been the catalyst for a complete change in mental strength and teamwork.

I hope he gets his reward on and off the field in the coming weeks and months.

From todays RLE it seems 1 more investor has withdrawn - but the council information has been obtained regarding certain costs and it seems to be all systems go to progress at last with 2 remaining potential investors.

Do you think it would be fairer if all the 8 Champioship Shield teams started on zero points rather than carry over their regular season points? This season for instance, Bradford Bulls and Halifax are so far ahead (point wise) of the rest of the teams that they might just as well be given a bye into the last 4, meaning that 6 teams are playing for 2 places (1 in 3 chance of winning) rather than 8 teams playing for 4 places (1 in 2).

My answer would be that it is the system apparently agreed by the clubs,last year,so as all the clubs knew what this meant then all is fair.

It has,apparently,also been agreed by the clubs to continue with the Summer Bash.So be it.

What I do completely disagree with,is this year changing the venue of the final to the stadium of the highest placed side.But I would put this down to the RFL believing either Featherstone or Bradford would be aided financially by hosting the game.As it is,Featherstone,despite the plethora of winding-up orders,gain even more financially by finishing in the Top 4.

I can't see any other reason why the RFL should only change this from last year.

Suggesting Widnes didn't draw a big enough attendance for a triple-header doesn't sit right with me.

It seems to be a lucky-dip with the RFL.

Or I may just be hacked-off with the off-field situation at Sheffield - and watching salary cap beaters Salford losing to a side which probably/almost certainly cost a lot more to put together than theirs,beating them on Saturday.

No, because 2 teams are relegated. Wiping away 23 weeks of terrible performances and giving them an equal shot at both staying up, being relegated or even making the 8s (with the late introduction of a wealthy benefactor) would be ludicrous.

On the other hand, tim, that's exactly what could happen in the Qualifiers.

I say keep it as it is for now and give it a fair trial. Whether the fixtures turn out to be attractive to supporters will ultimately be the decisive factor.