Re: RL Challenge Cup : Thu Jan 16, 2025 8:05 pm  

A laudable idea but RL is not soccer. There is zero chance of an upset in any of the games (assuming the Bulls beat Donny, them beating Cas wouldn't be an upset), even with SL teams playing weakened teams. Other than where the game is on their doorstep (and even then, it's debatable) fans won't travel in anything like the numbers needed to give the home teams a decent money spinner. No idea what the answer is but this isn't it, imo.

Re: RL Challenge Cup : Thu Jan 16, 2025 8:36 pm  

YosemiteSam wrote:

A laudable idea but RL is not soccer. There is zero chance of an upset in any of the games (assuming the Bulls beat Donny, them beating Cas wouldn't be an upset), even with SL teams playing weakened teams. Other than where the game is on their doorstep (and even then, it's debatable) fans won't travel in anything like the numbers needed to give the home teams a decent money spinner. No idea what the answer is but this isn't it, imo.

Re: RL Challenge Cup : Fri Jan 17, 2025 9:04 am  

possibility of a fantastic gesture from the club here. Offer to play at HQ and let the opposition keep the gate (after expenses)

Re: RL Challenge Cup : Fri Jan 17, 2025 12:12 pm  

Personally happy with the new format. I remember when we played Blackpool years ago and it was a great chance to take on lower league clubs. Can't see us fielding a strong team so not much risk. I'd go with:

J Connor
R Lumb
J Smith
M Simpson (if fit)
N McCormack
J Sinfield
G Brown
T Nicholson-Watton
J Diskin
T Holroyd
M Gannon
B Littlewood (if fit)
P Cassell

Bench
C Jenkins
S Lisone
T Warren
J Stead

Good opportunity for some of the fringe / bench players and players coming back from injury to get some minutes.

Re: RL Challenge Cup : Fri Jan 17, 2025 1:26 pm  

I know what the format is trying to achieve, but the real (only?) beneficiaries are the SL club in getting minutes for squad players. Getting a 3 figure pasting isn't going to help a community club and will be a terrible spectacle.

Re: RL Challenge Cup : Fri Jan 17, 2025 4:09 pm  

I hope we play it away from Headingley, if it is wests , maybe they could play at Wimbledon as it’s geared up for RL.

On team strength, I think we will go much stronger than some of the lineups on here, we have not won a single CC match since 2000 and in effect it’s another warm up for Wakey. I reckon it will be as close to full strength bar niggles.

Re: RL Challenge Cup : Fri Jan 17, 2025 4:21 pm  

I fear if we went with the line up above that we would be at risk of losing. Men v boys etc. but could be completely wrong.

I hope Brad Arthur stops letting Leeds players go on overseas holidays every weekend we have off because of an early challenge cup exit. It feels over previous seasons like the players have been happy to have an early exit so that they can have more holidays.