HERE we go again, with seven of the most important games coming up over the next couple of months to determine whether we will be playing Championship rugby next season.

At the start of this season, we were firm favourites with the Toronto superstars to gain promotion.

That was based on our Super Eights form last season – only losing out to a very good Toulouse side in the final – and pre-season form which saw us go unbeaten, comfortably beating tomorrow’s opponents Whitehaven.

However, things have changed considerably since then, and the chase for promotion has really hotted up.

Whitehaven, having to come to terms with relegation, couldn’t win any friendly and looked destined for mid-table position.

They appointed player Carl Forster as their coach at the age of 25. which was a bit of a gamble. but he has built Haven into a formidable outfit, particularly at the Recreation Ground – as demonstrated a couple of weeks ago, when they beat Barrow 32-6 with an outstanding display.

They have achieved this on average crowds of about 500, and therefore on a very tight budget which forced them into the local amateur market.

I have watched them several times, and Forster certainly leads from the front, but Jesse Joe Parker and Dion Aiye have enhanced the squad significantly since their return from Papua New Guinea.

They are only two points ahead of us, so if we can win tomorrow we go back into second. If we can maintain that position, we gain home advantage in the play-off semi-finals and final, should we get there.

There are only two other opponents who have a chance of promotion. York City Knights and Doncaster are both five points behind Barrow.

We play them both at Craven Park, which is a bonus, with Doncaster the visitors next week.

Both have made serious promotion statements this week, with York making three signings, including George Lawler, from Hull KR, Zeus Silk, from Hull, and Jordan Cox, from Sheffield Eagles.

Doncaster have signed Ryan Jones from Warrington, and new coach Richard Horne has gone back to his old club and signed Nick Rawstone, Jordan Lane, Jez Litten ,Jack Sanderson and Brandon Westerman, while French full-back Hakim Miloudi is also available.

Ourselves and Haven have refrained from any transfer activity, so both coaches must think that the squads they have are good enough for promotion.

I hope so, because we cannot afford to spend another season in League One – both from a squad and financial perspective.

Our best players will probably leave and supporters have had enough of watching massacres against developing clubs. The average attendance has dropped considerably to about 750.

After three years of hard graft, Paul Crarey, ably supported by the board, has assembled a squad capable of promotion. Apart from Toronto, we have the best squad in this league and there is no reason we can’t get into the Championship.

None of these seven games will be easy, and Barrow will have to improve significantly – particularly in the discipline department – if we are to be successful.

A good victory tomorrow will provide the springboard to go forward with confidence.

Barrow know they have to be at their best in all aspects to get a result. I’m sure Paul has developed an effective game plan; it’s now up to the players to execute it.

All the best.