Salford Away : Sat Mar 10, 2018 9:18 am  

Very important game this one IMO - 2 wins from the first 5 and although all the losses have been narrow ones with positives to take we need to start getting points on the board.

Some selection headaches for Radford if we get players back following the younger players outplaying the senior ones for the most part at Headingley. I reckon Kelly will be back but Sika didn't come back on so with Watts, Bowden, Paea and Houghton also all out that would be 5 of our 1st choice pack missing. I'd start with Taylor and Green at prop and Mini, Hadley, Abdull in the back row. Hopefully Bowden back but I don't feel we've seen the best of him yet this year - he was in outstanding form at the end of the last season. No idea what he'll do in the backs but if Kelly's back he'll probably want Connor at centre with Carlos - maybe Talanoa and Griffin on the wings. Harsh on Logan but Griffin was also very good against Leeds.

Re: Salford Away : Sat Mar 10, 2018 10:22 am  

We've played 3 of our 4 toughest away games and lost them all. No need to panic but now we are in an easier stretch we need to start winning every week. It wouldn't be overly optimistic to say we should win our next 4 and go to Saints in a good league position, with players back and loads of confidence.

Re: Salford Away : Sat Mar 10, 2018 1:37 pm  

I was quite impressed with Salford against wakey and they must have been good to beat the mighty dobbins at home so it's a challenge but one we surely must win if we play anywhere near our best. 3 extra days rest too

Re: Salford Away : Sat Mar 10, 2018 3:36 pm  

Mrs Barista wrote:

Very important game this one IMO - 2 wins from the first 5 and although all the losses have been narrow ones with positives to take we need to start getting points on the board.

Some selection headaches for Radford if we get players back following the younger players outplaying the senior ones for the most part at Headingley. I reckon Kelly will be back but Sika didn't come back on so with Watts, Bowden, Paea and Houghton also all out that would be 5 of our 1st choice pack missing. I'd start with Taylor and Green at prop and Mini, Hadley, Abdull in the back row. Hopefully Bowden back but I don't feel we've seen the best of him yet this year - he was in outstanding form at the end of the last season. No idea what he'll do in the backs but if Kelly's back he'll probably want Connor at centre with Carlos - maybe Talanoa and Griffin on the wings. Harsh on Logan but Griffin was also very good against Leeds.

Griffin on the wing is not only a mistake because Logan offers us more there it sends out a poor message and conflicts with Radford's ethos.
Given we are short on numbers why wouldn't we want to use Griffin as a replacement forward as some have being touting?
Shaul
Logan
Connor
Carlos
Talanoa
Kelly
Sneyd
Taylor
Washbrook - but think this would be an ideal game for Litten to get some game time
Green
Mini
Hadley
JA

Lane/Washbrook
Fash
Matongo
Griffin
It's not exactly explosive but Fash is as I've said the stand out of the youngsters that have come through and more than holding his own, Lane will only get better and Matongo is good in small doses (though think he could improve with his go forward). Griffin gives us different options to cover injuries as well as giving the forwards a breather.

If Talanoa keeps slipping up defensively then his position could be at risk when Faraimo comes back.

Re: Salford Away : Sat Mar 10, 2018 4:12 pm  

knockersbumpMKII wrote:

Griffin on the wing is not only a mistake because Logan offers us more there it sends out a poor message and conflicts with Radford's ethos.

What ethos is this?

Re: Salford Away : Sat Mar 10, 2018 5:10 pm  

Mrs Barista wrote:

What ethos is this?

The one where you play a weaker team so you can play lots of youngsters who aren't ready

Re: Salford Away : Sat Mar 10, 2018 5:21 pm  

knockersbumpMKII wrote:

but think this would be an ideal game for Litten to get some game time

Why is it? Are you saying Salford away is an easy game?

Re: Salford Away : Sat Mar 10, 2018 11:50 pm  

ComeOnYouUll wrote:

Why is it? Are you saying Salford away is an easy game?

It's easier than the other away games we've had so far, as others have already intimated and when we have lots of injuries we need to continue to think about rotating players, especially ones that are not as fit, carrying a niggle or aren't up to speed/making errors/missing tackles etc. I'd rather have a fully fit youngster than a senior player who isn't. The Warrington Easter home game in 2016 was a perfect example of how that can work out.
Or do you think we should only be bringing in players when it's late into the season when players are even more fatigued, potentially more lingering injuries that are doing greater damage all to avoid playing the junior squad players? Radford did that in 2015 and look how that played out, season done and the juniors shone, 2016 he failed to rotate and we were shagged come the S8s.
When would you play the junior squad players then given the injury situation, which game/games?

Re: Salford Away : Sun Mar 11, 2018 3:21 am  

I’d be very disappointed if we lost
All sides have injuries and get on with it
It’s the winning mentality that’s needed
Shame it isn’t a CC game and not a league game as id be more confident
A win will help the whole side

Re: Salford Away : Sun Mar 11, 2018 5:42 pm  

Mrs Barista wrote:

What ethos is this?

You should pay more attention to what Lee Radford says regarding players/way of thinking, it's been mentioned often enough on this forum and on the Hull FC website, Hull Daily Mail etc.