Re: Wigan Week #5 : Wed Sep 12, 2018 9:27 am  

silver2 wrote:

The season used to start with a game against Wigan in the form of the Wardonia/ Locker cup.
We'd then play them twice in the league so it only needed a further game in one of the many cup matches and we're up to four/ season.

Ah yes, but I guess that was a "friendly" in name.

Re: Wigan Week #5 : Wed Sep 12, 2018 9:29 am  

So basically 1 friendly, 2 league and the rest knock out competitions. I seem to remember a lot of finals and semi-finals vs Wigan in the 80's.

[Uncle Rico]

Re: Wigan Week #5 : Wed Sep 12, 2018 9:42 am  

I think that you can discount Cup competitions as it is as FMC says the 'luck of the draw'. The feeling at HJ in the cup game this year was a bit different to a 'normal' league fixture that sudden death element.

However, having a league structure that virtually guarantees 4 games against the same opposition does take the edge of it. I'd like to see the back of Magic TBH as lop sided league fixture, perhaps have it as a Cup round?

Re: Wigan Week #5 : Wed Sep 12, 2018 10:13 am  

Was going to post similar on the number of fixtures vs Wigan.

Ideally we need a 14 team structure to help minimise that, but the money isn’t there for that.

That would still leave a maximum of 4 fixtures I guess, but better than a maximum of 6.

[Fantastic Mr Catpiss]

Re: Wigan Week #5 : Wed Sep 12, 2018 10:34 am  

well get ready for the return of the loop fixtures, as thats what seems to be getting pushed for the egm tomorrow.

Certainly what warrington are supporting, according to the guardian

Re: Wigan Week #5 : Wed Sep 12, 2018 11:21 am  

Fantastic Mr Catpiss wrote:

well get ready for the return of the loop fixtures, as thats what seems to be getting pushed for the egm tomorrow.

Certainly what warrington are supporting, according to the guardian

How do they work FMC?

[Fantastic Mr Catpiss]

Re: Wigan Week #5 : Wed Sep 12, 2018 11:24 am  

rubber duckie wrote:

How do they work FMC?

same as we had from about 2002/03 onwards, 6 extra fixtures at the end of the season, so an even more uneven fixture list.

It's backwards this, the clubs have all got a minimum number of home games they deem 'required' and the fixtures are fit in around that. The easier answer would be expand to 14 teams, but no one wants to take a cut their central funding.

[Uncle Rico]

Re: Wigan Week #5 : Wed Sep 12, 2018 11:30 am  

Fantastic Mr Catpiss wrote:

well get ready for the return of the loop fixtures, as thats what seems to be getting pushed for the egm tomorrow.

Certainly what warrington are supporting, according to the guardian

I might be a lone voice here, but, apart from Magic, I don't actually mind the current structure. The split last year gave us the an opportunity of visiting the likes of Fev so a boost for them and a change of scene for us and a bit of jeopardy early on in proceedings.

I'm not wishing it upon us, but, the top 4 being settled early-ish hasn't helped on the drama front at the top. If Hudd's had won last week, this week's game would have had a different complexion rather than a bit 'meh' in modern parlance.

This year's Q8's are quite interesting IMO with 3/4 strong Championship teams, perhaps we haven't given this system enough time?

[Fantastic Mr Catpiss]

Re: Wigan Week #5 : Wed Sep 12, 2018 11:57 am  

Uncle Rico wrote:

I might be a lone voice here, but, apart from Magic, I don't actually mind the current structure. The split last year gave us the an opportunity of visiting the likes of Fev so a boost for them and a change of scene for us and a bit of jeopardy early on in proceedings.

I'm not wishing it upon us, but, the top 4 being settled early-ish hasn't helped on the drama front at the top. If Hudd's had won last week, this week's game would have had a different complexion rather than a bit 'meh' in modern parlance.

This year's Q8's are quite interesting IMO with 3/4 strong Championship teams, perhaps we haven't given this system enough time?

i'm with you, i don't mind it, its not the fixtures its the clubs own fault that there are perceived dead rounds, but the qualifiers are great, it was said that this format was to give Championship clubs the illusion that promotion was possible, its been great viewing, its like the cup giant killing in a mini season. I love it. i think the furore over the million pound game is a bit over done, yes there may be jobs at stake but its the same in a season with standard relegation, and chances are relegation battles would still be televised, so i don't know why people are moaning over this now.

Re: Wigan Week #5 : Wed Sep 12, 2018 12:28 pm  

In Ye Olde league of the 1970's there were four teams up and down. That would cause some consternation if that format came back.