See we’ve got 4 players back in the squad for Fev and our new loan signing. I wouldn’t risk craven though, I’d keep him back till the Whitehaven match, no point in risking him in a match were going to lose.
So we get a crucial player back in the squad but we shouldnt bother playing him because we are going to lose anyway ? I'm sorry but what kind of defeatist approach is that ? If Craven is fit enough to be in then he should play.
@sinbad Totally agree, if fit, Craven should play. We should play our best team, who should give everything on the pitch and hope that Featherstone have a bad day. Batley drew with Featherstone and Bradford gave them a game this week. We just need to give them a game and avoid another humiliating hammering. A similar result to Bradford (32-18) would be good (and some might say a miracle), but you never know!
Perhaps they need to mix it up a bit and play Roby at full-back and Baker at loose forward. My team would be -
Roby, Brookes, Fleming, Tyrer, Holdroyd, Craven, Smith, Farnworth, Hulme, Doro, Wilde, Lawton and Baker, with Dupree, Burgess, Fozard and Bent or Tilleke on the bench.
If they are seen to give 100% this week and with a new manager in place (and maybe some new loans/signings???), this might just encourage fans to turn up for the Whitehaven game in a couple of week's time.
Always play your best team. If a player is fit enough to be in the squad then he should be picked.
Seeing Paul Cullen on TV las night I was reminded of a tale that he told at a supporters evening regarding Danny Craven. He asked Danny (an Academy player then) to test the first team defence with his kicks during a training game.
He had to ask Danny to tone it down after a while because he was winning the battle!
That is the sort of skill we need to apply. Trying to batter a bigger pack is plainly not going to work, but there are other ways to open them up.
Over to you Danny!!!
Remember just because players are in the squad does not mean they are fit, we usually have to name injured players just to make the numbers.
If a regular is fit he must be played, IMO the 17 should be named the day before the game.
What are the realistic prospects for tomorrow?
A team out of form, heading for an outfit unbeaten in the league, and with genuine SL aspirations, so....
You've nowt to lose!
How many fans are making the trip?
Obviously, if it was the Lions, I'd still be going, and.........
The good news is that you'll score at least as many as we did at Keighley! 🤣
Good luck, and safe travels to POR!
Spelly.
They are a better side than us Spelly and should comfortably win - but if our players give their all and show commitment to the club, then they will deserve my support and respect.
Sometimes you see a reaction when a coach gets sacked. If we see a reaction and compete, then that's fine by me.
Craven needs to play if fit, he can be taken off in the last 20 if we are well behind, get some match practice under his belt.
@frankg Like you, I'd like to see Baker back at LF, his best position for me. I'd just tweak your suggested team by swopping Fozard for Hulme as starting hooker - just a minor change really.
Mind you, I hope our new loanee prop/second row gets more playing time than our last one did.
Not sure all the players named are fit to play, if you read the latest injury update it does not agree with the squad named
if Danny is fit he has to play
Anyway best of luck to the players and coaching staff for today, hopefully an effort which will put some pride back into the club.