We lost against Bradford and London. We won both the games that followed (v Wire and v Cas) and won the Challenge Cup for the first time in 15 years. That was the tradeoff, and it worked.

Also, best case scenario we beat a gee'd-up Wakefield, take more gas out of the tank and then have a short turnaround to a fired-up Cas coming to Headingley for their cup final.

Worst case scenario we lose against Wakey and lose top spot but are still comfortable in both the Top 4 and Top 8 and have a much fresher core group for the Cas game and the relatively tough run that follows.

The four day turnaround will be tough no doubt but then we do have a 10 day turnaround to get over it.

Moon was charged with a Grade C (2/3 match ban) but has been found guilty of a Grade B so only has a one match ban and will be available for the Castleford game.

I'd be looking further adrift of the 8, we need to remain in the top 4, no top 4 no playoffs.

If we go with a team like that we will get beat! End of.

Watkins
Hall
Keinhorst
Ablett
Handley
Sutcliffe
Burrow
Singleton
Aiton
Cuthbertson
Achurch
Ward
Sinfield

Jjb
Mulhern
Yates
Walters

Achurch missing until August with a wrist injury, so that's one less opportunity for rotation gone.

He's got to be one of the most injury prone players we've had in a long time

That's the problem we have. Three backrowers each taking up a fair chunk of salary cap, in JJB, Delaney, and Achurch, and each of them continually spend long periods on the sidelines. It's not like it's just once, it's been happening for last three seasons.

Shame about Achurch as he shows glimpses of a decent second rower but sadly these are few and far between.
Not helped of course by the number of injuries he receives.
When does his contract expire?

The thing is, he's been injury prone his entire career, even at Penrith. Hence his low appearances in the NRL, which made Leeds' decision to give him a 4 year deal very risky. At the moment, unless he can put an injury free run of form together between now and the end of next season, I can't see him getting a new deal.

If I were Leeds, I'd be coming to an "agreement" regarding the year left on his contract and letting him go at the end of this season.

However much he's on, you'd struggle to argue that he's providing value for money.

Delaney and JJB missing again this week too

Zak too according to McDermott, but all bar Achurch have a chance for Cas at home.

Do I need to bring my boots on sunday

On a side note IF Zak is going to be out for a while, Is it possible for us to 'borrow' a certain Jimmy Watson from our sister club perhaps??????

Hardaker, Moon, Delaney, JJB, Leulaui, Briscoe, Achurch, Golding, R Ward all missing.

Watkins, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Aiton, Peacock, Ablett, Sinfield, Ward, Cuthbertson, Sutcliffe, Singleton, Keinhorst, Walters, Yates, Mulhern, Handley, Milton.

That's 18 fit players if R Ward and Golding are still injured.

He isn't by the sounds of it. Has an outside chance of playing vs Castleford so should probably be ok for the next game vs Hull which is 10 days later.

Watkins
Handley
Keinhorst
Sutcliffe
Hall
Sinfield
McGuire
Cuthbertson
Aiton
Peacock
Ward
Ablett
Singleton

Walters
Mulhern
Yates
Burrow

Sutcliffe to centre isn't ideal but needs must really as with the 2nd rowers missing we can't move Ablett there.

Mulhern didn't play for Hunslet last Friday with a sternum problem, so you're down to 17 in that case.

Might necessitate playing Sinfield at loose, even though it doesn't really fit the way the team is set up.

Watkins
Handley
Keinhorst
Ablett
Hall
Sutcliffe
McGuire
Peacock
Aiton
Cuthbertson
Ward
Walters
Sinfield

Burrow
Singleton
Yates
Milton

Maybe Cam Smith will get a game

Don't think the marquee rule comes in until next year, does it?

Keinhorst chosen by Germany to play against Spain in Valencia on Saturday, that's another gone if he plays.

Hahaha, it seems all the planets are aligning for a Wakefield win... It may have to be a similar side to the one that beat Cas at Headingley a few years ago under McClennan

This has all the signs of a potential banana skin, particularly with the appointment of a new coach.

Wonder how much "gentle persuasion" is being put on Keinhorst not to go play for Germany? I'm hoping none, but I can imagine there will be plenty.

Next man up in that case is presumably either Ryan Jones or Jack Norfolk out of the 19s. Or you play Sutcliffe in the centres and Burrow in the halves, maybe bring Jordan Lilley onto the bench?

I'm pretty sure McDermott will be going with Sutcliffe at fullback. I don't like him there, but McDermott seems to like him there.

I would be cancelling Minchella's loan immediately, and bringing him back. He has enough about him to stake a claim for that spot, regardless of people returning after. He would be a good option for me, and much better than Walters.