I was unsure when Ian sent me his latest article as to whether I would offer my take on the topic, as I usually do, as there was very little in Ian’s writing that I disagreed with. After a bit of thought, however, I realised that I did have some thoughts I would like to add to all of the points Ian highlighted yesterday.

Firstly, I do find it laughable that many people, London staff and players included, are only recently making their displeasure at their current situation known. After all, the new system was set in stone well before the season started, so they knew what they were getting themselves into from the start. Indeed, this new system is the reason why they couldn’t show any more ambition in their recruitment, as they knew it was fruitless when they had no hope of amassing the required points to remain a Super League team.

The merits of the IMG system can, and will, be debated until the cows come home but the fact remains that the clubs, London Broncos included, voted in favour of adopting this complicated structure, and so to now come out against it seems like wanting to have your cake and eat it too. You can’t be for a system only when it suits you, they voted for IMG’s proposals, they knew the possible consequences, and are feeling the brunt of it now.

This isn’t the first time that our sport has embraced a new approach to the relegation/promotion issue either. In the past few decades we’ve tried multiple systems on for size and soon discarded them, like an undecided Primark customer. First came franchising, and then when that didn’t work, we had the Super 8s and Middle 8s, which re-introduced promotion and relegation to Super League, and it’s a system me and my fellow Hull KR fans are all too familiar with.

For those who don’t know (or those with short memories) in 2016, Hull KR were relegated through the Middle 8s system. We lost to Salford in Golden Point, and Hull FC fans haven’t let us forget it. We bounced straight back up the following season, and looking back at it now, our relegation could well have been the flashpoint moment when the club made steps towards the on-field success it is currently experiencing. It was the moment that made us wake up to the fact that we were sliding and had become stale, so changes were made, and the club recovered.

Which brings me nicely to Hull FC and the similar position they find themselves in today. I’m going to be honest here, as much as this might make me unpopular amongst my fellow Robins, I don’t actually want Hull to be relegated. Am I enjoying the fact that they’re less successful than us? Yes, but I also know what a loss to the Super League Hull FC as a club, just as many Hull FC fans didn’t want to lose Hull KR when we went down (and I know you exist).

Ian did state in his article that at time of writing, after London’s most recent defeat to Huddersfield, that Hull weren’t actually bottom, and so could not be said to be the worst team, and while that is true in terms of points, on the field itself, I think it’s a fairly close-run thing, and at times, London have looked a better side, part-timers or not. Just take a look at the points difference now, Hull cannot afford to take anymore hidings like they did at Leeds, or they could be bottom without London having to win another game. There’s only 49 PD between the two clubs, so if London can keep their scores low, and Hull let in too many points, the indignity of the wooden spoon could still be a possibility.

In thinking about this issue, I think back to the Magic Weekend game between London and Hull FC, the most recent meeting between the two sides. It was, in my opinion, a terrible game of rugby league, one of the worst Super League games I can remember. London were the better side, of course, but I think it was Jon Wilkin who said they were both Championship-standard sides, and I can’t help but agree.

It is said by Ian and many other correspondents that the reason for Hull’s abject form is that they are in a ‘transitional’ phase, and that may be true, but they seem to have been in a ‘transitional’ phase for at least three years now. Could it be that the problem is deeper than just a change of regime? Or could a culture change be in order to properly right the ship? Who knows.

As for Derek Beaumont, I would pay him no mind. He is nothing but a professional agitator (who also, in case you were wondering, voted in favour of IMG’s proposals) and is probably put out that you’ve signed some of his best players for next season.

Is there a better system than what IMG have proposed? Undoubtedly. The sheer amount of maths and data involved in their model makes my head spin. A fourteen team Super League with two up and two down would be my preferred choice, but since I am not a decision maker (more’s the pity) my choice doesn’t matter. The owners of various clubs backed this plan, so that’s the route we’re going down, common sense be damned.

In conclusion, and to tie up this wandering narrative I have created, I quite agree that the bottom side should be relegated, but that isn’t the system that was agreed on earlier this year, and to change it now would be irresponsible and open up a whole new avenue for the RFL to be pilloried in the court of public opinion, and possibly in a court of law. It also wouldn’t be all that fair on London, if they were to finish 11th and were granted a stay of execution, as their squad has been thoroughly gutted for next season, and most teams have already done their big recruitment moves, so you would once again, be setting them up to fail. There is simply no way to resolve this in a manner which pleases everyone, so I’m afraid we just have to play the hand we’re dealt.

Written by Nathan Major-Kershaw (Site editor & Hull KR fan)