Re: Friday : Mon Aug 29, 2016 4:02 pm  

Mr. Zucchini Head wrote:

It's nothing to do with what shape the players are physically. It's the mental side. There are very few players that could put everything behind them and turn up fully switched on in less than a week. Our reserves have a better chance of beating Saints than the first team.

I agree with this
I think Warrington will do the same at Catalan with wholesale changes.
Watts has a minor shoulder injury so wont play anyway.
It will be good anyway to see how some of the under 23s step up.
Its a difficult call for Radford because he will want to maintain momentum and confidence but if you put out the same squad and fatigue kicks in and we lose the game then we gain nothing.
Most fans would accept and understand if he made wholesale changes and at least take the field with fresh legs and players trying to impress.

Re: Friday : Mon Aug 29, 2016 5:46 pm  

We didnt too badly at Wigan last year with a makeshift team.

Re: Friday : Mon Aug 29, 2016 6:36 pm  

Cardiff_05 wrote:

I'd rest the vast majority of the 17 from Wembley, and potentially go with:

Naughton
Lancaster
Fonua
Yeaman
Talanoa
Pryce
Abdull
Green
Washbrook
Bowden
Hadley
Thompson
Pritchard

Paleaaesina
Turgut
Litten
Manu

Bizarrely, that still looks like a team that could potentially win to me! Great squad depth this year.

Re: Friday : Mon Aug 29, 2016 6:38 pm  

Dave K. wrote:

Told today that Houghton wants to play as he has played 72 consecutive games and wants to keep the run going.

No Pryce at the home coming, think he was the only member of the first team squad not there I think.

Somebody told me that he felt that he didn't have a place there. I feel a bit sorry for him if he did think that, he has made some great contributions and apparently does a lot of good behind the scenes as well. I'd have certainly welcomed him onto the homecoming stage.

Re: Friday : Mon Aug 29, 2016 6:44 pm  

Your club got a massive monkey off their backs on Saturday

When the Rhinos got rid of their CC monkey in 2014 (and also in 2015) players were still tweeting photos of tables full of drinks and shots late into Monday evening

I would expect that your guys will be doing pretty much the same and backing up against any side the week after isn't easy

It's all about player management from here on in for you guys, you've got enough points in the bag to rest as many players as you want to and to then get them mentally fit for the Big game v Wigan the week after

Re: Friday : Mon Aug 29, 2016 7:43 pm  

Only 4 or 5 of the cup final team will be playing.

Re: Friday : Mon Aug 29, 2016 8:02 pm  

Fully agree with only playing 4-5 from the final, it has to be done for the good of the whole season, and we can actually afford to lose by 30 points.

Only ones who have to play IMO would be Bowden, Green, Washbrook (hooker), Tuimavave (covering centre) and possibly one out of Shaul/Talanoa.

Re: Friday : Mon Aug 29, 2016 11:00 pm  

Bal wrote:

Somebody told me that he felt that he didn't have a place there. I feel a bit sorry for him if he did think that, he has made some great contributions and apparently does a lot of good behind the scenes as well. I'd have certainly welcomed him onto the homecoming stage.

I really hope this isn't true. He was laughing and joking on Franks pre-match video

Re: Friday : Tue Aug 30, 2016 10:25 am  

Shame if true about Pryce, played a bit part in the win against Saints in the cup.

My team would be

Naughton
Lancaster
Yeaman
Pryce
Micheals
Abdul
HTW
Green
Houghton
Masi
Hadley
Tomo
Washy

Litten
Fash
Turgut
Osborne

Re: Fridayi : Tue Aug 30, 2016 12:45 pm  

Dave K. wrote:

Shame if true about Pryce, played a bit part in the win against Saints in the cup.

My team would be

Naughton
Lancaster
Yeaman
Pryce
Micheals
Abdul
HTW
Green
Houghton
Masi
Hadley
Tomo
Washy

Litten
Fash
Turgut
Osborne

That's far too much for me the likes of HTW, Litten, Matongo and perhaps Lancaster won't get a game.

I'd go with

Shaul
Naughton
Fonua
Yeaman
Talanoa
Pryce (although can't see him playing for Hull again)
Abdull
Green
Houghton
Bowden
Turgut
Hadley
washbrook

Thompson
Feka
Fash
Downs

If Shaul doesn't play Naughton to fullback and Lancaster on the wing.