Instead of starting a new thread perhaps we can use this one.



Another massive game this weekend away at Halifax. The winner goes through to the next round and also earns a place in the 1895 Cup Semi Final meaning we are potentially 80 mins away from a Wembley appearance if we can win this game.



I assume we'll be without any of the Leeds DR players as the Rhinos won't want them being cup tied. Walker slotting back in at FB for this game and moving Holmes into the halves alongside Patton. Lilley moves to 9 and I'd go with Jowitt over GF Sr on the bench.

Typical Bradford fan trying to live on past glories.

I've also started a thread on the Leeds Rhinos forum due to the amount of Dual Reg players we have.

Did I read somewhere that IMG “clarified “ their position on team performance? Specifically that top 4 in the championship & a final appearance in the 1865 cup would give similar points as finishing bottom of Super League?

Unlucky for fev then

If this is true then for me this is a must win game. The other teams York/Newcastle, Batley/Keighley or London/Dewsbury are all beatable in order to get to Wembley. Making it to that final must be the aim and of course winning it. Would be beneficial in terms of 'Performance' for IMG and of course a great day out at Wembley for the club and the fans.



If IMG are saying top 4 and a final's place is equivalent of an SL bottom place (especially considering Wakey at the moment are the statistically worst team ever in SL at the moment). Then IMG don't really value the Championship at all. Also IF say Bradford were to finish 3rd/4th and get the final or win the 1895 Cup. Would we be ranked higher on 'Performance' than Featherstone (if they win the Champ?).

None of it matters for this season anyway, really. You're a season too early. And even then, I seriously doubt winning some mickey mouse cup and finishing 4th in the league will carry the same weight as winning the championship.



I think the IMG proposals give Bradford a more realistic chance of getting back into the top division, but we're still a million miles away from being good enough (both on and off the field) and a good cup run isn't going to disguise that.

Ah. I thought this seasons results and next seasons results would matter for who gets 'franchised' for 2025. So two years worth of performances. I'm not saying winning the 1895 Cup carries as much weight as winning the Championship. But winning the Cup, combined with a playoff spot (two years on the bounce) would that carry weight for the 'Performance' side of the grading system. I was just replying to Highlander's comment as he was the one who read about IMG's 'clarification'.







I agree. I think we'd do well in some aspects of the grading system, specifically fanbase and academy/catchment/development etc. Not sure on finances or performance yet (depending on 2023 and 2024 seasons). But yeah, we are a while away yet from being good enough. But hopefully two playoff places and a couple of good cups runs gets us higher on the 'Performance' grading section. And that starts by beating Fax on Saturday.

Don't think IMG are going to be the saviours some of the loud mouths on social media think they'll be.



All the issues we had during the licensing years haven't been resolved in their proposals IMO although there's at least a bit of transparency this time.



Clubs coasting along as theres zero chance of them being replaced, fans getting bored of meaningless games (remember we had the ridiculous situation of the RFL having to expand the the play-offs to Eight teams to try create more meaningless games) those issues are still there.



Then in 4 years time we'll have another critical meeting for the sport wondering why crowds are dwindling after we've changed the format for the millionth time.

Say we somehow made the criteria for SL (stay with me here).. who then puts the necessary money into the club to be competitive?



We'd just become a Wakefield, making up the numbers and getting a hiding each week.

Agreed. We're miles off SL. It's not happening. Even if they weren't raising the drawbridge we're still miles off. I find it difficult to get exercised about the whole IMG thing as a result. The club needs a huge transformation to get back to elite level. Particularly in the areas of ownership and stadium

An owner with funds & genuine business acumen.

A professional CEO with RL experience

And a SL quality coach would be a start

Rake out the rotten culture that's existed for years & start again with a 95 style rebuild.



That's the only way we will get there.



As it stands now we are a ghost ship,

Ticking boxes to get a place at the table but no clue as to what to do when we get there.