The Middle 8. Scheduling is Key! : Mon Jul 27, 2015 12:26 am  

In the other 2 sub-divisions, 3 of the 4 semi-finalists are already pretty much bolted on (Leeds, Wigan & Saints/Fev, Dewsbury & London), so any "excitement" is going to have to come from the middle 8 comp!

Widnes (2015 average 6,234) at Home:
HKR, Leigh, Salford and Sheffield.

HKR (8,026) at Home:
Bradford, Salford, Wakefield and Halifax

Leigh (3,787) at Home:
HKR, Bradford, Wakefield and Sheffield

Bradford (5,222) at Home:
Widnes, Salford, Sheffield and Halifax.

Salford (4,211) at Home:
Leigh, Wakefield and Sheffield

Wakefield (4,303) at Home:
Widnes, Bradford and Halifax

Sheffield (1,146) at Home:
HKR, Wakefield and Halifax

Halifax (1,973) at Home:
Widnes, Leigh and Salford.

If all the above games attract the average crowds for the season, then that's 127,975 fans attending 28 games at an average of 4,570. Key to the RFL being able to spin this as a success, the scheduling of matches is going to be key.

Re: The Middle 8. Scheduling is Key! : Mon Jul 27, 2015 1:25 am  

The SL clubs are unlikely to achieve their 2015 average since their average is boosted by games against "bigger" clubs.

Leigh will probably get some crowds in excess of their average but I doubt games against Widnes and Salford are going to hugely increase Bradfords crowds and I don't think Fax or Sheffield are capable of increasing their average that much.

So you'll probably see "below average" attendances because the SL clubs are playing "below average" clubs.

Re: The Middle 8. Scheduling is Key! : Mon Jul 27, 2015 2:27 am  

Him wrote:

The SL clubs are unlikely to achieve their 2015 average since their average is boosted by games against "bigger" clubs.

Leigh will probably get some crowds in excess of their average but I doubt games against Widnes and Salford are going to hugely increase Bradfords crowds and I don't think Fax or Sheffield are capable of increasing their average that much.

So you'll probably see "below average" attendances because the SL clubs are playing "below average" clubs.

I was thinking the same about Leigh. They could well get close to a full house for both the Bradford and the Wakefield games, as they are both key to Leigh making SL or at least the Million Pound game.
I'd like to see the RFL schedule Sheffield v HKR first up. I don't think HKR fans will travel in big numbers if they are already safe.....
Leigh v Wakefield 9TV), Bradford v Widnes and Fax v Salford for the first weekend......with the SL clubs at home the next week.

Re: The Middle 8. Scheduling is Key! : Mon Jul 27, 2015 9:44 am  

HKR are by no means safe and could quite easily be relegated. There are some tough matches in that middle 8. The key for us will be to win all our home games. If we don't its Championship Rugby next year. I would rather we didn't have the distraction of the cup to worry about.

[Dick Jones]

Re: The Middle 8. Scheduling is Key! : Mon Jul 27, 2015 1:20 pm  

Jim Pooley wrote:

I was thinking the same about Leigh. They could well get close to a full house for both the Bradford and the Wakefield games, as they are both key to Leigh making SL or at least the Million Pound game.
I'd like to see the RFL schedule Sheffield v HKR first up. I don't think HKR fans will travel in big numbers if they are already safe.....
Leigh v Wakefield 9TV), Bradford v Widnes and Fax v Salford for the first weekend......with the SL clubs at home the next week.

Starbug here

I expect Leigh's total home attendances for the middle 8 games to top 25K , with the 1 st match bing Wakey on sat week on SKY

Re: The Middle 8. Scheduling is Key! : Mon Jul 27, 2015 1:36 pm  

Should be a great league and certainly the most interesting, i'm glad Sky are showing one game a week, still think Salford, Rovers and Widnes have to much quality not to finish in the top 3, this obviously depends on injuries to key players and if Rovers win on Saturday.

This is how I think it will finish

Widnes
Rovers
Salford
Leigh
Wakey
Bradford
Halifax
Sheffeild.

Re: The Middle 8. Scheduling is Key! : Mon Jul 27, 2015 2:23 pm  

Widnes, Hull KR and Salford are just out and out better than all the other sides. However, I reckon Leigh will pick off at least one of those if not more. They are like men possessed.

Re: The Middle 8. Scheduling is Key! : Mon Jul 27, 2015 2:30 pm  

LifeLongHKRFan wrote:

HKR are by no means safe and could quite easily be relegated. There are some tough matches in that middle 8. The key for us will be to win all our home games. If we don't its Championship Rugby next year. I would rather we didn't have the distraction of the cup to worry about.

You didn't understand what was said from your response, there was no mention of the liklihood(or not) of you being relegated merely that by stating " Already safe", the suggestion was that if the games previous to a Sheffield game meant you were secure you would be less likely to travel to a dead rubber in any numbers. A game such as the Sheffield one might attract more away supporters if the end outcome was not already secured (Already safe)

Re: The Middle 8. Scheduling is Key! : Mon Jul 27, 2015 6:34 pm  

SL next year will be the same clubs as this year.

Re: The Middle 8. Scheduling is Key! : Mon Jul 27, 2015 10:54 pm  

Leigh had no 'local derbies'...only Bradford brought over 500 fans