... am I the only one who is struggling to muster up ANY enthusiasm for the forthcoming season? Normally by this point the juices are starting to trickle, the air of optimism, hope, expectation coming to life, but right now absolutely nothing. I have normally got my ST, sponsored a player, this year nowt. Maybe the open trianing session on Friday will kick start Broncos for 2018 for me.

There is nothing to celebrate; a weaker team, a less experienced head coach, one less in the coaching team, stronger opposition.......... its a 4/5/6 battle at best

The downward spiral that is London Broncos continues.

Must admit I'm not too fired up. My season ticket has been renewed, obviously the Oxford one hasn't been so it's 100% Broncos for the first time in 6 seasons. Hopefully the bug will kick in again when I see the first game, probably the Army in the Challenge Cup.

At the moment I'm only planning on one UK away game (Rochdale, I'll also watch Wire and North Wales that weekend mind) + Toronto if they confirm a venue at sensible notice. That's the fewest for something like a decade.

On paper, our first choice team is more than capable of making top 4 (3/4 behind TWP and Leigh). problem we have is with the squad, we are a couple of injuries away from being 5/6. We have lost a couple of quality players and a few good squad players. so far we have replaced them with a young 21 yo with a bit of SL experience and a 18/19 yo who a few months ago was deemed not good enough. He may of course tear it up but that is a big hope rather than expectation.
We currently have 1 hooker and a coupe of kids to provide back up (I think one of the u18 promoted players can play hooker). We have 2 quality HBs and then ??. An injury to Cunningham, Sammutt or Api and we are stuffed. We need at least 1 Hooker, 1 cover of HB/Hooker (bit like Barthau could provide) and, like for the past few years, at least 1 (pref 2) bit strong beast props.


A bit off topic, but looking at the TWP squad, how on earth are they within the cap???

I think we are done as far as recruitment this season. We will have to do with the players that we have.
On the roller coaster ride that is David Hughes's enthusiasm for the Broncos, we seem to be on the way down.

Maybe it's the realisation that the jump back to super league is not likely to happen soon, hence the bit of apathy. As for the squad it's difficult, we get players like Rocky who must have made a dent in the wage bill and despite obvious ability did nothjng.
Maybe we might find another gem in the kids that are being asked to step up, we have done it before!!! Think we are a bit light on numbers though.
Toronto, well some would suggest for expansion of the game the same rules should not apply to them as others in the league, but yep difficult to see how they are staying within budget.

Has there been any suggestion that DH is spending less?

He isn't paying Henderson, the Frog, Ackers.........which would suggest he is spending less. Yes he has brought in the St Helens player

Didn't the off field club manager or similar leave recently? Was she replaced?

In the papers today it is suggesting SL is going to 14 in 2019. Will we be in the mix with TO, Toronto, Leigh etc

It depends on what the RFL consider as money that is counted on and off the cap. It is highly unlikely that any of the players of club staff from the UK are paying rent on their digs, so once the club has covered that and the food etc then the players are essentially paid "spending money".
What puzzles me though is the "draw" of a new city like Toronto, when we couldn't get northerners to come 200 miles south to the greatest metropolis on the planet? Maybe Mr H should have invested in a boarding house and given free accommodation as part of the package?

Back on topic......it's a straight Toronto v Leigh for top spot, with Toulouse, London, Fax and Fev fighting for the other 2 spots.....as a full time outfit I think we should make 3rd, but as other have said, we do look paper thin in some positions!

It is obvious that the reigns have been pulled in by DH. He is back in sulk mode.

We're the ones who should be sulking....his track record on employing the wrong people then sulking when they prove to be the wrong people is quite alarming.....




...we needed a quality coach, who in turn would have attracted maybe the 3 or 4 class players we need. Instead we've got an untried coach and a squad with too many youngsters in it.....it's going to be 2015 all over again!