I was surprised and disappointed with the story of us going into 2010 with only 24 academy players for the season and only one halfback in the U20s and academy put together. We brought in 19 amateurs within 2 weeks of the season started and this really meant the whole year was a write off. Why this happened was not explained.

At least it won't happen in 2012 with 34 signed up already, including 4 halves.

Hood answered my sent-in questions on that. Sort-of, anyway. The questions, for info,
were:

[i"Why was the Odsal Sporting Village project cancelled, given the Club's optimism even up to the last fans' forum and in subsequent reports that it was still very much alive as a project";

"What are the Club's current plans and intentions regarding development for Odsal Stadium?"; and

"Can you currently envisage any circumstances where we leave Odsdal Stadium?"[/i

He said that the OSV was not dead, contrary to what he had been reported as saying only a week or so ago! But went on to clarify that any puiblic sector involvement was over, and that any development would be as a private venture. No details were forthcoming at all though. I'd hoped they might have been able to say something about dusting off the earlier plans for a new main stand on the popular side, or whatever. Nothing ventured, though.

On the last point, the answer was an unequivocal "yes". But no expansion on that - other than something about we can all envisage what sort of circumstances those might be. Whether that was a reference to someone like a Parkin buying City and Bulls together, or something else, I don't know. Seemed an honest answer, if a somewhat limited one.

The most discussion was about the bloody scoreboard! Where I'd asked "[iDo you agree the half-working electronic screen above the Coral Stand sends out the wrong impression*, and if so will it be repaired?[/i" (* OK, crap English, it should have been "message"...) Some of what Ryan said on that might have been pertinent though - which IIRC was that they still had plans for improving/developing the ground, and so did not really want to commit to a lot of new exenditure right now.

I got the impression that they would rather wait until they have something a bit more concrete to report, rather than set off any premature speculation with half a tale, but did not folow this up later like i originally intended to.

And actually, I don't mind saying, fair play to ya for pointing this out to him.

It also really substantiates and eludes to my original point; that being the TIMING of the Pledge, not to mention the 2nd cycle reasoning behind it, was extremely ill advised. This is now being born out, sadly. That AB cannot see that or moreover, won't acknowledge it, is a major cause for concern.

His perception as the brains behind it (allegedly) that it offers value for money is absolutely irrelevant given that the existing strong fan base don't necessarily feel that, they simply are brand loyal to the enth degree. Which is a real shame. That he is piggy backing on their ardent support to somehow mitigate his misguided belief that "it works". In year 2, after a poor year, it doesn't. The promise has been broken in year 1 and the modern day consumer is neither that stupid or gullible. Nor is price a key determining factor in every consumer purchase as well all know.

I understand he is passionate, I understand that he is trying to do his best. What I don't believe or have faith in is his ability to do so given the current situation and what emanates from the club. I'm tired of this Harry Potter-esque theme. It's done and become cringeworthy.

He may well have made his money in business, but then The Sun sells more than The Times, it doesn't make it a higher quality paper. Nor does a lottery winner, a Bill Gates make. Similarly any individual at the club who is "working for free" make them either effective or of value. Poor quality is expensive, it's that simple.

Good on the club for holding a forum, because clearly it was needed and fair play for the candid answers. However, it's like those meetings we all have and produce reams of notes only for certain staff members to sit on them and never actually action them. It's all well and good talking a great game, perhaps it's time we started playing one.

And again, Adey, we don't agree on much, that is clear and so be it, but again fair play for telling the guy what you think.

Exactly. As I said, I'd assumed that was the motive behind your question. if nothing else, Hood's answer seemed to prepare us for a considerably worse reported result than last year. If it isn't a bad one, I'll do a Bullseye and eat my hat while running naked round Odsal wearing nothing but a Leeds shirt (or whatever it was...)

Cheers for the ground update Adey, was rather hoping for some positive news. I know any improvement (roof) would take time, but maybe more "floaters" would return if they werent getting wet through every sunday!

In fairness to Bennett, the very point about timing that you raised WAS specifically asked, in one of the written-in questions. And was answered, to an extent. They said that the timing meant that much of the expenditure, bookings, literature etc had to be commissioned/arranged well in advance. And that, AT THE TIME, they still had every expectation of the club making the play-offs. They did not specifically say that those guys' performances (or lack of) on the park had effectively sabotaged their plans, nor would you expect them to, but I think the message came across?

The other pertinent point on this, I thought, was in response to "[iWhy did the club seek 3,000 fans to pay for their 2012 Memberships so early in the process?[/i" Given your attacks on me earlier, it might surprise you to learn that that was one of mine too? And one I did not expect to be answered, but Bennett did. Basically, IIRC - "We need the cashflow". I suspected that, as you saw from my point yesterday that set off WW3; but its still sobering to hear it confirmed.

I thought Potter's comments on our outside backs were interesting, especially with regard to their decision making in defence. He says that while we were affected by injury some players just aren't good enough.

Maybe the rumour about Platt and Sykes being told they can leave if they want has something in it....

Also our halves weren't good enough last year. No poop Sherlock.

The point about needing the cashflow kinda slipped out and was a bit lost in the hubbub - because there was a lot grumbling and withering going on at the time, with people trying to make points about the Pledge.

But it was definitely said, and is clearly quite worrying. If we're really so hard up that we needed 3000 x £75 in before the end of September, then I wonder how we're going to get through the off season!

And also the rumour that Crookes is on his way, mentioned on another thread today

The admission on the cashflow front worried me. Makes you wonder if there's a problem on the way.......

Was interesting to see that Potter particularly singled out the "fringes" players for critisim. He also stated that we didn't get the ball to the left wing quick enough.

The reason they gave regarding timing etc, is a fairly disingenuous one. Regarding literature etc, with modern printing technology, it is very easy to create two templates with varying dates/wording and turn it around within 48 hours. This would also apply to other elements of their promotion of it including the production of the members cards etc. It's akin to a semi-finalist producing their Wembley or Grand Final literature/having hotel bookings/packages/shirts produced etc etc before the semi has played out because they firmly believe they will get there. It wouldn't happen (well we might)

Given our erratic performances this term, it was fool hardy to make the decision. Risk taking yes, but to take an extremely high one, without any second phase plan is simply, bonkers.

As for personal attacks, we (and others) were p!ssing in the same puddle on that one, rather leave it where it was old boy.

If Bennett is a man of means, has complete faith in his judgement and that of the Pledge, was he not in a position, or other board members to bridge the club with some element of loan/funding until such a time the launch of 2012 season tickets was both more prudent, poignant, logical and actually hit way above target? And even if not, would we likely to be bankrupt for the sake of a 2 month gap?

Again, fundamental schoolboy errors for mine and comes back to my point. Crap timing and circumstances that with more astute planning could have been avoided.

As Paul says above, if we are that desperate for 3000 x £75, then we are fundamentally doing something wrong as a professional business.

Saints must be doing something very badly wrong then as a professional business - since they apparently lost about £1.5m last year (as we were told last night). But (and again as we were told last night, and as I keep saying...) they can handle that because they have a rich owner prepared to bankroll them through the tight times. We don't.

Lets not start yesterday up all over again? But unless you have a wealthy owner ready, willing and able to bankroll you when you need it, you are lilkely to be very very tight on cash at key times of the year if you have any aspirations at all of continuing to sit at the top table. Nothing to do with doing something wrong as a professional business; everything to do with this "industry" having very uneven cash flows and far too little cash resources in the game that do not depend on wealthy owners.

Edit 11:29:



Fair observations. But the board collectively own around 7% of the shares. Thats all. In that situation, would YOu lend a load of money to the club, regardless of backing your judgment? If an owner, then maybe, but as an unpaid employee? I certainly would not.

And a look at the accounts will show just how tight the cash actually is, to be honest.

I thought Pulsator2K had volunteered to be GB's sugar MILF?

I can be anything you want me to be

milf ???

Er...Mother I'd like to f... somebody remind me again what that last letter stands for?

Find! Definatley. Find. Nothing else. Just "Find"

Someone told me it was "fork", but it was a bad line and I guess must have misheard him?

Apart from a Rhino

It was definitely "four candles"

F...

...amiliarise myself with over dinner

over the dinner table ? Ohhhhh I get it now

apologies if it has been mentioned but i have zoomed through the post forum posts and not seen anything, was Potter asked about our (lack of) defence and what hes doing about it? there is a reference to him not saying who our defence coach is, but I havent seen anything else. and thanks to those who were there and have posted summaries etc, helpful and illuminating.

Quote ="Bradford Badger"www.superleague.co.uk/article/dragons-secure-dureau/19409 Something didn't quite sound right last night with me about the Scott Dureau comment. Based on the link above Catalans announced Dureau in August 2010, at which point I don't think the club had any real belief that "he who shall not be named" wasn't returning. So, were we ever in for Scott Dureau..... Also found this on Blake Green www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sp ... Green.html Now, I'm not saying that we weren't offered the opportunity to speak to these guys, but we had no intention of signing them at the point they were available. I think the Duffster may have been streching the truth a tad stating that we "missed out" on Dureau and Green due to Orford. That being the case we missed out on Inglis the time he went to Souths as we couldn't fit him in under the cap at the time....'" Was thinking the exact same thing last night to.

Quote ="Bradford Badger"www.superleague.co.uk/article/dragons-secure-dureau/19409 Something didn't quite sound right last night with me about the Scott Dureau comment. Based on the link above Catalans announced Dureau in August 2010, at which point I don't think the club had any real belief that "he who shall not be named" wasn't returning. So, were we ever in for Scott Dureau..... Also found this on Blake Green www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sp ... Green.html Now, I'm not saying that we weren't offered the opportunity to speak to these guys, but we had no intention of signing them at the point they were available. I think the Duffster may have been streching the truth a tad stating that we "missed out" on Dureau and Green due to Orford. That being the case we missed out on Inglis the time he went to Souths as we couldn't fit him in under the cap at the time....'" Was thinking the exact same thing last night to.

"We're working with players on decision making, improving the squad and aiming to score more tries, and to conceed less next year" was more or less what he said,

"They don't train to drop the ball in matches" was another classic state the bleeding obvious

I don't think Potter could say much else though to be fair, he took responsibility for our poor performances in this regards and claims to be working to rectify......