A big game on Friday night. No, a massive game.

Only a handful of games gone, but already a bit of negativity about the place. To be truthful, I'm fed up of the excuses. We all have our opinions on why things aren't going so well this year, but it's time for the talking to stop.

If supporters, but moreso the players think Friday night will be easy, then I think there's a big shock coming our way. Forget the 'new boys', the 'whipping boys', whatever they have been called over the last 6 months, they are a decent outfit, with decent SL players and I would definitely replace some of what we have, with some of what they have. Noble will have them fired up, they have more confidence than us and he will know that if they start well, they will have an extra man on the terraces - and it won't be from their own supporters !

It's up to the players now. The game is massive, they need it drilled into them all week. They have to show enthusiasm, desire, aggression and use their brains. At 10pm Friday night, excuses about refereeing decisions, knock ons, missed goalkicks, missed tackles, 'the efforts there', 'we were unlucky', 'we through it away' - all irrelevant. If the players want it, go out there and WIN the game and show the supporters that they want it. For the next 80 minutes, it's over to you Cas....

Yep, a massive game for us against a pretty decent outfit.
Brian noble will indeed have them fired up, just cant see TM giving our players a small flame never mind a fire.
It's all down to whats in the players heads, we have a losing mentality at home which is a massive worry. The fans need to support for 80 mins get behind the boys, which i'm sure they will.
We cant go into this game thinking we have it won before we step on the field, the crusaders will be a match for us, and my gut feeling is we will get pipped at the death.

We have to show passion motivation and heart, lets hope TM can some how drum it into the players.

Anyone know if we have any injured players back ie evans.

Looks like Rangi will be playing; www.therfl.co.uk/about/disciplin ... hp?id=1691

Looks like Rangi will be playing; www.therfl.co.uk/about/disciplin ... hp?id=1691

I agree with all of the above! Crusaders have a decent outfit, and more so they play for each other throughout the game. On paper they have been going into games as under dogs desperate to prove everone wrong, and fighting hard to do exactly that!

As Cas fans, there are many things in the board room, team selections, coaching decisions that we all get wound up about, yet there is little we can do about it. The one thing we can do is be loud and proud in our support in the terraces.

In recent games it's been quieter than ever in terms of singing the old chants at the Wheldon Rd end....we need to get some spirit back into our supporters to lift those who are trying on the field. We've all seen players raise their game in response to the crowd. On Friday let's give them that support and see what they can do for us in reply!!

C'Mon Cas!!!!

I predict a Crusaders win!!

I think you are wrong, but not for patriotic reasons; I think we will win unconvincingly without Thompson or Brierly playing and 'someone' filling in at stand-off........

Papering over the cracks, a bit like when we got back to within a couple of scores on Sunday.... it LOOKS like we're in the game, but in reality three tries, 2 from the kick off inside 3 tackles straight after half time ended the contest.

So, with a heavy heart I predict a stuttering win, which will hide the fact we're getting nowhere...... I would rather play Massey, Thompson, Brierly and Davies and lose on Friday but gain for the second half of the season and our future, than play Snitch at stand-off (or similar) and scrape a win...... I don't say that lightly because I am one of those who congratulates individuals on their good points even if we lose..... Similarly I am one of those who clapped Amos Roberts 2 excellent tries that only a truly quality player in the top 20 percent of his profession could score. But that’s me, you can’t stop good rugby congratulate the scorer, don’t bag the defender.

Tough times, but having said all I have, some of the reactions on here are hilarious 7 games in.... Trust Terry, he does know what he's doing, but as someone else said on another thread " he hasn't dropped any ball, missed any tackles......" the only people who know the truth of what he is asking and if they are doing it are the 17 on duty and in fairness again to Box, he is doing his job on that front too - shouldering the burden and deflecting the pressure from individuals.

If Gareth Thomas plays he's our best way to the line. Tony Martin was covering him defensively last week, I have no idea why Catalans didn't hound that side of the field.

Secret Weapon........We will field the railwayendisuponus and he will bagpipe him, that will leave a right big hole in their defence, oops someones already done that havent they

I seriously think they will just edge it, they are a decent outfit this season

I have been practicing all week. Unfortunately my picture of him got rather soggy, but he called me up and offered to replace it in person. What a chap!

I think it will be a close game, but we will just edge a thriller! Kabosh!

I agree totally, while thomas is on the field we need to throw everything we have at him attack and defence.

Crusaders are a very good team with some real quality players but we can beat them with the right game plan and right attitude.

Agreed, but we will more than likely not bother!

Cas to win by 8



Think the players will be up for it friday,partly due to the fact the players wont want the stick they'll get if they lose.

Its early in the season to say, but this Friday nights game is do or die time. If we lose to the Welsh then the confidence will be the lowest for several years with the players and fans. With Wakey, Saints and Huddersfield next up we must get some positives back in the squad.

The team CAN win Friday night. But will they win depends on getting issues resolved NOW. We need two half backs playing together moving the team forward.

Looking at the fixtures, this could be a very good week for us. If we win and other results go as expected we will be in a decent position in the league table and level on points with Leeds and Crusaders, and we will have opened up a decent gap between us and the bottom 3.

It would also be our first home win of the season!

Incidentally Crusaders were the last team we beat at home and the man in the middle is the only one we've won with all season.

Hopefully Crusaders will be targetting this too.

Let'a hope for a good game of rugby league. Keep an eye on Witt though, he's a tricky little player and I think could be the difference for us.

I hope you lot struggle with the cross kick as that has been his main weapon so far this season with big Vince Mellars taking them freely.

Anyway, hope to see a few of you off here in the pub near your main end behind the posts (forget the name) and share a few pints before and after the game. Good news is I am not dressed as Batman this time so won't be terrorised by kids for the full 80 this time. Looking forward to it now.

=#0080FF2. KIRK DIXON, 3. MICHAEL SHENTON, 4. JAMES EVANS, 6. RANGI CHASE, 7. BRENT SHERWIN, 8. MITCHELL SARGENT, 9. RYAN HUDSON, 10. CRAIG HUBY, 12. STEVE SNITCH, 13. JOE WESTERMAN, 14. STUART JONES, 15. LIAM HIGGINS, 16. PAUL JACKSON, 17. RYAN CLAYTON, 21. JORDAN THOMPSON, 23. RYAN McGOLDRICK, 27. SHAUN AINSCOUGH, 29. MIKE COOPER, 30. CHRIS TUSON www.castigers.com/article.php?id=630 No Wainwright interestingly. I expect Jackson and Evans to drop out. I'd go with: McGoldrick Thompson Dixon Shenton Ainscough Chase Sherwin Huby Hudson Higgins Snitch Jones Westerman Sargent Cooper Tuson Clayton

=#0080FF2. KIRK DIXON, 3. MICHAEL SHENTON, 4. JAMES EVANS, 6. RANGI CHASE, 7. BRENT SHERWIN, 8. MITCHELL SARGENT, 9. RYAN HUDSON, 10. CRAIG HUBY, 12. STEVE SNITCH, 13. JOE WESTERMAN, 14. STUART JONES, 15. LIAM HIGGINS, 16. PAUL JACKSON, 17. RYAN CLAYTON, 21. JORDAN THOMPSON, 23. RYAN McGOLDRICK, 27. SHAUN AINSCOUGH, 29. MIKE COOPER, 30. CHRIS TUSON www.castigers.com/article.php?id=630 No Wainwright interestingly. I expect Jackson and Evans to drop out. I'd go with: McGoldrick Thompson Dixon Shenton Ainscough Chase Sherwin Huby Hudson Higgins Snitch Jones Westerman Sargent Cooper Tuson Clayton

Witt could be tricky. Obviously never seen Rangi play before



Goldy
Thompson
Shenton
Evans
Dixon
Rangi
Sherwin
Huby
Hudson
Higgins
Snitch
Clayton
Westerman

Jones
Sarge
Cooper
Tuson

I don't think Jackson will be ready to go yet.

2. KIRK DIXON, 3. MICHAEL SHENTON, 4. JAMES EVANS, 6. RANGI CHASE, 7. BRENT SHERWIN, 8. MITCHELL SARGENT, 9. RYAN HUDSON, 10. CRAIG HUBY, 12. STEVE SNITCH, 13. JOE WESTERMAN, 14. STUART JONES, 15. LIAM HIGGINS, 16. PAUL JACKSON, 17. RYAN CLAYTON, 21. JORDAN THOMPSON, 23. RYAN McGOLDRICK, 27. SHAUN AINSCOUGH, 29. MIKE COOPER, 30. CHRIS TUSON

If everyone is fit there then I go:

1) McGoldrick
2) Dixon
3) Shenton
4) Evans
5) Ainscough
6) Chase
7) Sherwin


Sargent
9) Hudson
10) Jackson
11) Snitch
12) Tuson
13) Westerman

14) Huby
15) Jones
16) Higgins
17) Cooper

Big game for Higgins, I'm getting fed up of how useless he is so if he doesn't start performing, reserves and a tredmill for Liam.

His effort is there, just the talent is lacking. Unfortunately that could be said for a number of our squad over the past few years

Looking forward to my second visit to the Jungle and I think we'll sneak it.

Just two things if you can help please?
1. Keep them bloody kids under control
2. If we are winning at half time please don't change the ref again