I really think that things are looked at the wrong way, when criteria and numbers are discussed. Each application needs to be considered individually, and not in connection with the other bids. The way i see it (and this is quick so feel free to correct any errors), regardless of how many should be selected, this is how the sides line up:
Leeds: Financially sound, Crowds Sound, Performance Sound, Ground Sound, must make any superleague.
Wigan: As above. They also seem to have easily done enough on all criteria.
St Helens: As above. They should be in any league
Catalans: There is room to improvement with the ground capacity, which is happening. But they are doing an amazing amount of good, and their spot cannot be argued against.
Hull FC: It seems to be accepted that they have ticked all the boxes and are going well. I think that they need to be there regardless, as a club.
Bradford: I think they have a poor ground? And from what i understand they are struggling and going backwards. But at the moment, they appear to be still at a high enough level for their spot to be realistically unquestioned at this stage.
Warrington: Another club who seems to be going forward and quite well placed. So long as their crowds and finances dont plummet and remain the same, i cant see how they could be left out.
Hull KR: From what i can tell, they look to be going well on all accounts. The only problem (which is the same as Hull's) is location next to Hull. But leaving this aside (which was left aside last time) they seem to be doing everything asked and slowlly improving. They need to be included.
Huddersfield: Let us not forget that they were good enough last time. I dont know much about them, but they definitely have the stadium. And from what i can gather, their crowds, financial situation etc has stayed the same, or gone forward. In these circumstances, they have to be in.
Castleford and Wakefield: I put these together, because they have such similar cases. Both got in on the promise of a stadium. Both have pretty decent crowds and were well supported. Both seem to have failed to deliver their stadium or even concrete plans for their stadium. And both have a problem in that they are right next to each other. Both are good heartland clubs with good solid support but support which is not quite as high as would be liked for a SL club (a new stadium would presumably fix this). The harsh reality is that in not delivering a stadium (assuming it doesnt happen, they have not progressed there bid as expected. I think all other areas they have pretty much stayed the same. In these circumstances, they cannot argue if they are not included in the competition. Although, even if they were dropped, you would think that they would be able to gain admission to the SL at any stage that they do actually build a new stadium. To get in, both clubs rely on being granted concessions.
Salford - I really think that they are in massive trouble. When accepted, it was hoped that they would reach all sorts of levels, and quite simply they have not done this, and you would have to say that they have not progressed the way things were hoped. Crowds in particular seem to be the worrying factor, and it seemed to be that they were accepted on the basis that they would be great (perhaps this was unrealistic). I think they are in a weaker position now than they were previously. And therefore, they cannot really argue too much if they do not make the cut. There are advantages relative to the other clubs but they shouldnt be judged by this, they should be judged by performance in relation to their own goals.
Quins. Another who have not gone forward as was hoped and who hovers in the same position. Realistically, their crowds are nowhere near up to scratch and their finances are really struggling. Still, this is not all that different to where they were last time when they got in. They havent improved like we would all hope and like to see, but they havent really seemed to go backwards either. Arguably, there are some very slight improvements in the key areas from what i recall. They arent necessarilly as strong as clubs as the clubs above, but, they are as strong as they were when awarded a spot last time. I think that they may just have done enought to stay in because of this. It would be harsh to kick them out, because they ahve not gone backwards.
Celtic Crusaders - The biggest wildcard in the whole things. As of today, they are definitely well behind where they should be. Crowds were barely passable, on field performance was bad, finances disastrous etc. Still, the first home game has given a ray of light. They need to turn this around this season and there is now a chance they might (unthinkable a month ago). At the moment, they couldnt be included but they have at least 12 months to improve. If crowds and/or Finances are solid, their case will actually become unarguable, so they are in a unique position. This year is so important for their club.
Widnes - Missed out last time, but definitely improving. Their crowds are good enough to be given a chance and expect them to kick on, but by the same token, they are not good enough on their own to demand inclusion. I think that they have definitely improved massively and come good from their last bid, but they are on the borderline. They should probably get a chance, provided they keep improving in all areas.
Toulouse - They are doing the hard work, and i think that they are up to scratch in all areas. Their only disappointing thing has been the crowds, as i think that they havent shown an ability to market games and get big crowds. But, if their crowds actually improve this year, it would make their case a lot stronger. It is a borderline call at this stage, because they also bring so many potential benefits to the table that other clubs dont. I think, for example, that if they could get a television deal subject to their promotion, it would guarantee their inclusion and make it inarguable. But, if the TV deal is only a hope based on promotion, they remain touch and go. If the French are serious, they should be able to negotiate an unarguable case (much like Gold Coast did when they had a stadium guaranteed subject to inclusion in the nrl comp).
Other clubs clubs (there are too many to name) have had varying levels of success on the field, although they do seem to be advancing off the field. It will be a long battle for these teams, and they need to keep improving and reaching their goals. I really dont think any of them have reached a level to put any serious bids for a place, at this stage. This may change in the future.
So looking at this, of the current clubs, there are 4 clubs who could not argue with exclusion. There is one further club who is touch and go. This means that we must have at least a 10 team competition plus the one extra team that was guaranteed promotion. If (a big if) Celtic improves, then they can get back to where they were, maybe even be ahead of where they were and they would be that 12th team. If not, then that team must be chosen from either the failing guys who are already in, or the potential of other from outside who missed out. Obviously if htye stick with 14 it makes it a much nicer decision, but either way, i dont really think that anyone can argue to much because the sides missing out will have gone backwards and they will be luck to get in (relying on other clubs not doing as well as the should or could have) rather than unlucky to be admitted.
If we have a 12 team competition, then
