SmokeyTA wrote:
Quick point of order the SC hasn't been in place in its current format for 15 years despite hat being a convenient time frame for HIM.
It's also worth noting that in 2001 Wigan were spending £3.2m and the SC was £2.3m. Since then it has fallen to £1.7m. The SC now is nearly half what Wigan were spending 13 years ago I'm absolute terms. In real terms it is about a third of what Wigan were spending had the SC simply kept up with inflation.
But apparently the SC has been a catalyst for growth but clubs now cannot afford half of what the SC was 13 years ago. This despite even the RFL themselves publicly stating that clubs should spend more on player wages. Even the RFL believe it was 'time to cut the purse strings'
For some reason though those who financially benefit from a low cap a don't want to raise it. I cannot possibly think of a reason why a business owner would want to pay his workers less buy unbelievably they do.
You seem to think player salaries is the absolute measure of growth and nothing else matters. How does youth investment compare over the time frame? Business infrastructure? Training facilities? Sustainability?
As a saints fan I'd suggest Wigan are in a much stronger position now then they were 15 years ago. They spent 5-10 years sulking about the cap, and it almost got them relegated, they have since learnt that they can benefit in other areas and rose again (annoyingly
)
As for saints transformation over the time period, well, there is no comparison. If other owners can't or won't take those benefits presented to the two clubs mentioned, then why is letting them spend more of player salaries going to change anything, other than giving into the boom or bust mentality some seem to have?
ALao, the suggestion that McManus, who is one of the loudest advocates of the cap, is in it for financial gain is absolutely laughable when you look at the millions he's spent getting Saints to where they are today. You seem to think reasonable assement and feasibility are code words for underhand tactics, when no such evil plot exists.
I am an advocate of a small, controlled increase to the cap, and a feasible, open and timely growth model is produced for the cap. But it is important it remain feasible. We're still not in a situation where 12 can afford to spend the whole cap for christs sake!