Nutley was the best overseas forward we have signed since Vowles IMO. Just a pity he didn't stay that long.

The problem with most fans is that they're impatient. They seem to think that changes are made in just a few years, intact it takes a good ten years for changes to properly make a difference and I think it is in SL.

We're getting more shock results than ever before (SL era) and as said most of the teams have improved due to the non threat of relegation.

Back to my original point though I do still feel Cas don't seem to put our all into the cup which I feel we have the biggest chance of doing something in. I also feel that another cup should be introduced in the game.

Fans want to see teams winning things. 2 chances of cups isn't enough these days.

But no matter how long we stick with the system, come June at least 4 teams seasons are over. No reaso to pay in to watch a game and god knows how much lost revenue every year to the game. SL is more boring than it ever has been.... It's just .... $h1t !!!!

I do agree with that at present but its also getting closer each year for the top 8.

This is another reason though why I feel we need to start the challenge cup later along with another cup.

I'm really surprised people don't see the improvement under franchise (attendance has dipped but I feel this is more to do with more people than ever now having sky and limited funds in our areas).

Who's improved under licensing?

Catalan have made huge improvements.
Wakefield seem to improving year on year.
Widnes currently have as many points as they did last year. If they'd been relegated would the promoted team be on their per? No.
Huddersfield are improving much in the same way Wakefield are; albeit further up the table.
Saints have always been near the top end, this year they've struggled.... Due to the Improvement of other teams in the league.

...and a massive injury crisis.

The crowds at the likes of Cas haven't gone down becasue we have nothing to play for - they're gone down becasue nobody wants to pay £21 to watch rubbish.

If there was relegation to consider, do you really think this would change???

£21 for rubbish, or £21 for potentially relegated rubbish - nobody buys an over priced product.

When I starter going to SL games in 1998, it was £12 to get into cas and £5 for kids.

Castleford especially only have theirselves to blame for not making the most of licencing.

Catalans, Wakefield, Huddersfield, Widnes, and now Salford are all making the most of it.

We need to question why we aren't, not the structure of the system.

Also, clubs need the kick up the bum to maintain their assets - our "stadium" along with a few others is not of any good standard, and over the last 45 years we have done nothing to address that. The RFL has picked holes in our club because they're there through neglect

Do you think it would be beneficial for any club to endure what we did during P&R???

No. It wouldn't.

But Dave P&R does at least give something to play for, £21 for relegation rubbish? think in the season you got relegated at BV the crowd was 8,500.

yeah but wakefield are getting 8500 in most weeks these days Mick, and I'd argue (quietly in cas any of your mob are lurking lol) that you guys aren't playing for a massive amount either

my point is, no matter how you structure the league, there will always be mid-table teams, top teams, and bottom teams.

I hate to compare, but look at the Premier League. How many times do you switch sky sports on, see that West Brom are playing Stoke and think "eurgh".

The reason Cas are playing meaningless fixtures now isn't down to the league structure, it's down to us. And our lack of improvements season after season.

Why don't we join the Chmpionship and lets make a push for the title, give us something to play for...

I can't believe people are saying they'd rather us be playing to avoid relegation, than playing with the stability of security - which gives us time to plan for the following season!

Tin hat time Dave?

dunno about the tin-hat, I'm getting a brolly though cause it's raining bullcrap.

Licencing hasn't had chance to work, so nobody can pass judgment.

Though the differences it has made, are all positive.

Crusaders, Wakefield, Salford and Bradford having financial trouble was through bad management - which may I add has since been rectified and three of the four teams are far stronger as a result of the stability that the licence system has offered.

.....boom.

You can always come over to the dark side Dave!