How do you determine form? serious question.

He has had a really good season, really good. He was fantastic against Saint Helens. But he was really dissapointing against Salford (where he looked very tired and beaten), and against the Bulls he was nothing close to what he has produced this year.

Personally, I think for the season so far, he is possibly our player of year so far. But two out of the last three games, he has being nothing close to it (so interested in the comment of getting into good form). I feel he needs a rest badly or his form his going to suffer. Although I do accept, I would rather that not against Wigan.

Unbelievably I never thought I would say this but I agree completely with Gotcha regarding Achurch (we seem to differ in opinion most of the time) and that the guy seems shattered. If the rhinos are rotating the backline, halves and rotating the props then I don't see why should not do the same with the second row positions. Also would like to see Sutcliffe stay at LF from the bench. The team I would like to see:
BJB
Briscoe
Watkins
Moon
Hall
McGuire
Hardaker
Leuluai
Sinfield
Peacock
Ablett
Delaney
Bailey
Subs Kirke, Clarkson, Sutcliffe and singleton.
But what I expect is BJB and on recent games Bailey to be dropped(still on the naughty step I guess). With Sutcliffe in the halves and Sinfield go hooker. Anyway hope it is a cracker.

As in the usual way anyone determines form, based upon recent games.

Granted actually the Salford game he wasn't at his best but as I mentioned on the post match thread, due to the short turnaround I don't hold much weight to performances (team or individual) in the Easter Monday games, it's often not great but just a case of getting through.

Bradford he went for a season best (by some distance) 157 yards so can't agree with you on that. In fact I'd say his first few games of the year I was slightly disappointed. Averaged less than 11 carries per game for the opening 5 games with only a 67 yard per game average. Not only was he very good vs Saints on Saturday but had another good showing against them in the league game a few weeks back.

IMO.

Don't think you are agreeing with him to be honest. I believe his comments were aimed at ablett being knackered.
I can have some sympathy for this view as at Salford he did look knackered. But last week looked strong again having a cracking year. Could probably do with a break at some point but as gotcha says Wigan isn't the game to rest him

Ablett's a very good centre. But I can't shake the belief that we're seeing what happens when he gets to play in the back row consistently for a long period of time. I have no scientific evidence for this. Just a feeling.

Either way, Ablett's a terrific player, and very under rated in my opinion.

I'm still not entirely sold on Achurch, but he looks a lot better this season. He's a big unit, and has plenty of speed for his size, power, and can offload. I get the impression that the raw materials are there and that the key is getting him to focus on doing the little nitty gritty things well. Progress encouraging, jury out, from what I've seen.

I only saw a bit of Achurch last year, and he was very dynamic against the Broncos - ironically making one great break right through the middle of the defence. It seems odd if Leeds have tried to turn him into a hard-working prop, when he was a damaging second row probably more suited to shorter spells from what I saw.

Wrt to Achurch he is better suited to be a wide running SR imo rather than a bit part Prop.
I think he has shown some decent potential to kick on and is in the 13 on merit long may it continue.

As I have stated before I really do hope McDermott will continue to select Hardaker at FB where he is continuing to progress nicely into the best all round FB I have seen in a long time. He is one that should now be cemented as a first choice on the team sheet ( above the likes of other so called "senior players" ) ..

I would rather see Sutcliffe or Ward at stand off for this one

Maybe BJB on the bench knowing that Sutcliffe and Ward can be switched into the pack ( at LF please ). Moon to SO

Then again if Hardaker IS selected at SO it would be nice to say to G1 " I told you so ".

You, I suspect Nantwich were the type of child who used to ring peoples doorbells before legging it off down the street!

Hardaker should remain at fullback for me. period. I am also fairly relaxed about Ablett. Yes, he was off his game against Salford, but current form is good and is almost an automatic name on the teamsheet. In any case, BMD will go his own sweet way, so I am not going to get upset about any surprises he may reveal.

Would opt for Sutcliffe to start in the halves but wouldn't mind the other option of Hardaker with BJB to FB either. Said previously I wouldn't want to shift Hardaker away from FB, but that was in relation to him going to centre, to 6 could be interesting.

I used to prefer the pull down lever outdoor handles. .. Slip the empty milk bottle over it, ring the bell then take flight.

Its good that we still have selection headaches with 3 major players out. LOng term thinking should see Sutcliffe at SO. If BJB's form is demanding to be selected, then we would likely see Hardaker or Moon there. Hardaker played there in preseason IIRC, I would imagine that was in preparation for this sort of scenario

Think he played there on Boxing Day basically because there was nobody else - other candidates weren't back in training because they had either been involved in the World Cup or were injured.

looking forward to this one now.

we have wigan x2, cas away, Wire away and hull until we play cup quarter final.will be a tough test for us without both regular choice hookers available.

Well that's one option we didn't think of....

Ablett in the halves

Clarkson starts 2nd row, Sutcliffe (and Bailey) on the bench.

Also, no O'Loughlin for Wigan

Jumbo formation

I think you will still win tonight but Ablett won't help you being in the halves can't understand that at all. Sutcliffe looks like a good half back for his age why isn't he playing there?

moon will play there with ablett in the centre. still odd as you say. why disrupt the best backline in the league when sutcliffe can play there.
perhaps when the game has calmed then it will go back to normal

Awesome display by you guys. Fabulous rugby - best team in the league at the moment by far.

So Ablett was no where near halfs.

Thought Clarkson did an excellent job in his first 30mins. Good ball from dummy half, and plenty of tackles. Was just never going to make a run.

As it turned out, it was near enough Clarkson at hooker, Sinfield at 6, Ablett still 2nd row. Then Sutcliffe to 6 and Sinfield to 9 when Sutcliffe came on.

Having played hookerless on defence, it now looks like we're working out how to do it in attack. Worked though.

It was like Nantwich picked the team, but it seemed to work really doors. Probably threw Wigan of their planned defense somewhat I would guess.

spot on

A nice surprise and good bit of kidology from McDermott. Nice to see him keeping Hardaker at FB despite maybe the temptation to switch him elsewhere. ...
Sinfield does look very good at DH though and Sutcliffe seems to be getting good grooming into Sinfield's SO role. Wonder where Stevie Ward might end up?

I might actually be getting some respect for McDermott's coaching abilities

Who are you and where's the real Nantwich?