Post by tommo on May 2, 2018 14:24:51 GMT
So, season over and a long wait in prospect until the new campaign begins.
I am wondering what others think of the current state of the club, the season gone and the future.
I say this because i, being a former player, junior coach and now season ticket holder of some years, am left feeling a little indifferent and underwhelmed by it all.
Firstly, let me say that in no way do I lay the blame for my current state at the feet of the coaches and players, in fact, in most cases I feel that they have done their very best with limited resources and a brutal injury list.
My problem is with the restructuring of the Championship i.e. the removal of the play-offs, which has, in my opinion, knocked the guts out of the competition completely.
As we saw so clearly, the season was effectively over from Xmas onwards, with Bristol soaring high and no other team with a realistic chance of hauling them in. In addition it was clear from early on that Rotherham were unfortunately doomed to relegation, so the teams in the middle were left in limbo with not a lot to play for. The fact that we were entertained with some great games is credit to the professionalism of the players and staff.
The blame for this is with the powers that be that quite clearly have such a low regard for The Championship, that they seek to deny the ambition of the tier two clubs, by removing the play off system in order to protect their vested interests.
There would have been a totally different look to the final few games of the season if there had been play off places up for grabs, and the competition would have been better for it. Who can forget the excitement of our final battles with Bristol 3? seasons ago? What an end to a great season.
With the play offs in place, every team has a "punchers" chance, ambition is encouraged and the dream is alive and well. I am not sure that is the case now, unless teams are lucky enough to benefit from massive investment.
The only hope for the new season is that London Irish trip up and do not automatically win promotion back to the Prem. Then the hierarchy may sit up and take notice when one of their chosen few does not make it back at the first attempt. What then? What hoops to jump through will they put in place to deny whoever their chance in the top flight?
So, what do we think folks? There are many other consequences of no play offs, lower attendance figures, player recruitment etc. so feel free to discuss. Am i being overly pessimistic? Or do others feel the same?
See if we can have an interesting discussion.
I am wondering what others think of the current state of the club, the season gone and the future.
I say this because i, being a former player, junior coach and now season ticket holder of some years, am left feeling a little indifferent and underwhelmed by it all.
Firstly, let me say that in no way do I lay the blame for my current state at the feet of the coaches and players, in fact, in most cases I feel that they have done their very best with limited resources and a brutal injury list.
My problem is with the restructuring of the Championship i.e. the removal of the play-offs, which has, in my opinion, knocked the guts out of the competition completely.
As we saw so clearly, the season was effectively over from Xmas onwards, with Bristol soaring high and no other team with a realistic chance of hauling them in. In addition it was clear from early on that Rotherham were unfortunately doomed to relegation, so the teams in the middle were left in limbo with not a lot to play for. The fact that we were entertained with some great games is credit to the professionalism of the players and staff.
The blame for this is with the powers that be that quite clearly have such a low regard for The Championship, that they seek to deny the ambition of the tier two clubs, by removing the play off system in order to protect their vested interests.
There would have been a totally different look to the final few games of the season if there had been play off places up for grabs, and the competition would have been better for it. Who can forget the excitement of our final battles with Bristol 3? seasons ago? What an end to a great season.
With the play offs in place, every team has a "punchers" chance, ambition is encouraged and the dream is alive and well. I am not sure that is the case now, unless teams are lucky enough to benefit from massive investment.
The only hope for the new season is that London Irish trip up and do not automatically win promotion back to the Prem. Then the hierarchy may sit up and take notice when one of their chosen few does not make it back at the first attempt. What then? What hoops to jump through will they put in place to deny whoever their chance in the top flight?
So, what do we think folks? There are many other consequences of no play offs, lower attendance figures, player recruitment etc. so feel free to discuss. Am i being overly pessimistic? Or do others feel the same?
See if we can have an interesting discussion.
