Re: Squad for semi final : Wed Jul 27, 2016 3:54 pm  

Both sides are going to have strong teams out despite Wigan injuries. At the end of the day its who turns up on the day and which team wants it more that are going to win. Just hope the extra support we are going to bring in fans will also give us the edge and push us over the line. Feeling so nervous already!

Re: Squad for semi final : Wed Jul 27, 2016 4:00 pm  

AirlieJo wrote:

Both sides are going to have strong teams out despite Wigan injuries. At the end of the day its who turns up on the day and which team wants it more that are going to win. Just hope the extra support we are going to bring in fans will also give us the edge and push us over the line. Feeling so nervous already!

Us having a stronger squad doesn't negate the fact that we have key players missing that would 100 per cent improve us. Hope it's a good game though and may the best team on the night win!

Re: Squad for semi final : Wed Jul 27, 2016 4:16 pm  

Aside from any talk of injuries, form etc it's an interesting and exciting game. We seem to be able to find an extra couple of gears in knock out games when you don't really expect it. Our form this year has been poor in the main and we've had to scrap for our lives to be in the position we are. We look to lack fluidity most weeks and going off the past two weeks we're no chance but I prefer to look to the last round of the cup for inspiration. Against Cas we were pretty patched up again but in the first half we looked a totally different side. We were switched on and suddenly we looked like a well oiled machine again rather then an un-organised rabble. We take a step up now in class against Hull but I just sense we've held a little back recently (not on purpose) and I think we'll give it a real go on Friday.

As for Hull they've been superb this year. Their real strength is in the pack and that's a concern for us because that's where we're most busted. They have a couple of match winners in the backs in Shaul and Sneyd who could blow us away if we give them too much space so we have to find a way of trying to at least get a 50/50 share of the forward battle.

It's all set up for a cracker IMO.

Re: Squad for semi final : Wed Jul 27, 2016 4:31 pm  

Key for me is Tomkins. He had an absolute stinker but there's no denying in the games he's played prior to that the attack has really tightened up. It's cliche but we need to be scoring more points per game to make it to a final. You can defend all you want but you're never going to be impenetrable over 80 minutes if the team opposite has a decent attack - which Hull do. Sort out the discipline, match them up front which I believe we can and get the attack tightened and it's certainly possible. Whoever wins I can't see it being much more than 6 points.

Re: Squad for semi final : Wed Jul 27, 2016 4:56 pm  

Does anyone have the same "passion" anymore for the challenge cup? For me its lost its magic, I used to look forward to the challenge cup in my younger days for me it was the cup i wanted to win above everything else but now it just feels on a par with winning the locker cup! Wembley has also lost its magic and doesn't give me the buzz when the players walk out onto the pitch, or......maybe its just me getting old!

Re: Squad for semi final : Wed Jul 27, 2016 4:58 pm  

I wouldn't mind if we played Gildart on the wing and Bateman at centre. I dont think Terney has let anybody down but we need to tighten up against Hull. With our attack we need to keep Hull down to a maximum of 3 tries and Gildart/Tierney don't fill me with hope defensively

Re: Squad for semi final : Wed Jul 27, 2016 5:00 pm  

hatty wrote:

Does anyone have the same "passion" anymore for the challenge cup? For me its lost its magic, I used to look forward to the challenge cup in my younger days for me it was the cup i wanted to win above everything else but now it just feels on a par with winning the locker cup! Wembley has also lost its magic and doesn't give me the buzz when the players walk out onto the pitch, or......maybe its just me getting old!

Ask any Hull Fan and 9 out of 10 will tell you the winning the cup would be magic. I suppose when you have been there a lot it losses its appeal. But I know to me just thinking of been standing next to my Grandad who has supported Hull for 70 odd years and finally seeing them lift it a Wembley would be amazing.

Re: Squad for semi final : Wed Jul 27, 2016 5:38 pm  

I'm so fed up with this injury talk. RL is a high impact collision sport, giving rise to more injuries than football or RU. All teams suffer from it. If they dont, they are the exception to the rule. The side listed upthread is good enough to beat Hull BUT, they will have to play much better, and smarter, than in recent weeks.

Re: Squad for semi final : Wed Jul 27, 2016 6:09 pm  

bazdev wrote:

I wouldn't mind if we played Gildart on the wing and Bateman at centre. I dont think Terney has let anybody down but we need to tighten up against Hull. With our attack we need to keep Hull down to a maximum of 3 tries and Gildart/Tierney don't fill me with hope defensively

Put ISA right centre with Manfredi Sarginson with Gildart, Sutton secong row with Bateman.

Re: Squad for semi final : Wed Jul 27, 2016 6:12 pm  

bazdev wrote:

I wouldn't mind if we played Gildart on the wing and Bateman at centre. I dont think Terney has let anybody down but we need to tighten up against Hull. With our attack we need to keep Hull down to a maximum of 3 tries and Gildart/Tierney don't fill me with hope defensively

I would like to see Bateman at centre but in place of Sarginson who is offering not a lot at the minute.