It's not petty and no we won't.

I agree it's not petty but yes we will.

Greg's opening post features a squad of 25.At last night's meeting it was said we have 26 contracted players.Someones missing but can't think who? We also have a player on trial but all i could find out was he has a beard !

Your coach will be able to run the rule over Rovers fringe players this weekend; you might like the look of a number of them - Hallett (centre), Marsh (half back), Esslemont (prop) and Holker (2nd row). Of the senior players you might be offered Welham (centre) or Salter (centre) and perhaps Ollett (2nd row).

There's high expectation all of Rovers new signings will be on show (except Bailey) which will add to the occasion, and expect a stage managed try for Jason Netherton in his testimonial.

On Fax's chances next season, it will be difficult to challenge for a mid-tier play-off place but 5th seems to be to be an achievable target. I will try and get to a few games at your gaff during the season - Fev, Bulls and London for sure. Best of luck, see you all this weekend.

It's impossible to predict how good we will be this season and writing off our top 4 chances at this stage is very premature.if feelgood factors won you leagues then we'd already be in super league !

Should it not be no I won't?

I didn't necessarily write off your top 4 chances, I stated it was difficult to see you making the top 4. I made my statement based on how the Bulls, London and Leigh are full time and Fev have both recruited well and have a solid and hardened squad.

I totally agree predictions count for nothing at this stage but I am sure even you can see how formidable the challenge is for your club, and I would go as far as to say your clubs aims will be for the mid tier to avoid being drawn into a relegation battle, which is a possibility - one my club also wants to stave off.

The stark reality is your club is competing on an uneven playing field, hence DR with Rovers, but if your coach can tap into Rovers resources effectively I can see you challenging 4th with London who I feel will struggle on the road. Again this is my opinion but isn't this what pre-season is all about.

Mrs Huddshay goes to every game with him(or used to

)

Fair enough but i don't buy into this fulltime/uneven playing field etc.Most expect
London and Bradford to be streets ahead but the reality is the best fulltime players
are in super league and they've got the leftover dross than may not be any better
than the part-time elite.

Correct Ian. We would much rather have a wander around the Old Town in Hull on Sunday and watch the match but it is not to be. A crawl around shudds calling in at The Kings Head to watch a reggae/ska group is the order of the day. A good day out but let's hope DR only lasts this one season.

Just a thought.There's no guarentee that we will ever use a HKR player,
if that was the case you would have had a year off for nothing.

Well we certainly wont be using one on Sunday.

Aye, I've thought about that scenario.

But it's about much more than that isn't it. A joint youth development programme or whatever they csll it for one. But as I have stated if we can come up with a system to let us know if a HKR player is going to turn out, I can choose which games to go to.

What if the said player agrees to wear the Halifax kit? Would that work?

But your not going Sunday.
How much notice would you need?
Normally a coach has an idea of his team say, on a Thursday but weather, injuries and other factors might necessitate a change.
If you care to let this forum know your contact details I am sure as we take our seats at the game as soon as the team is announced we will give you a ring.
Richard said he would like to do it personally but might just have other things on his mind.

Well said John. See you on Sunday. Unless they don't do Chips

Richard Marshall has agreed to ring me the minute the team get there and tell me if they have a chip van.
Tell you what though not putting red sauce and mayonnaise on my chips.
See you there Neil.
Looking forward to it.

This has been addressed previously. Enjoy Sunday.

P.S. Richard Oastlar, Brighouse. Saltaire Cascade. 4.1 % Mmm!

Don't be too surprised of Joe Martin goes out on loan again ( to Gloucester

)

Salty would be better at full back than wing.

You've got the strength wrong

The Fax website has him down as "winger/centre/fullback"
Mind you they have Scott down as "utility"

Must have been too strong for me! :'(

Aye, & until recently it had me down as scholarship co-ordinator only about four years after they scrapped the scholarship !

New nickname for Scott in the offing - "Bill" ?

That's the way the chips crumble Colin, many years ago I played for Halifax Under 19's against Hull FC under 19's my second row partner was John Martin, he went on to make the Halifax RLFC Hall of Fame, me Armley Hall of Shame.