Two weeks break until we play Warrington. A huge game for both sides in terms of positions, if we beat them, we move above them in the table. Possible returns for Newman, Walker and Sezer in this, but squad done without them. Bans expected for Bentley, Myler and Holroyd. Prior returns from his ban.

Hardaker
Fusitu’a Martin Broadbent Handley
Austin Sutcliffe
Oledzki Leeming Prior
Gannon Mellor
Smith

Dwyer Donaldson Thompson Tetevano

Would be great to have Newman and Sezer back for this one mind, Sutcliffe back to centre, Sezer to half back, Newman in centre, Martin to second row, Mellor, Broadbent drop out.

Other games -
Catalan Dragons v Huddersfield Giants
Castleford Tigers v Wigan Warriors
Toulouse v St Helens
Hull KR v Salford Red Devils
Wakefield Trinity v Hull FC

Ban for Myler?

He shoulder charged the Wakey kicker that led to the penalty that led to their try.

So spotted by the referee, who deemed a penalty sufficient punishment, and Wakey took full advantage. Are we really saying that he should be punished again?

Is Austin going to be banned for that lift tackle? Didn’t look too bad to me but you never know these days!

Really hope Newman and Sezer are fit for this one

Hopefully not. Shouldn’t have even been a penalty imo didn’t look like it went over the horizontal.

Ref was going to play on, must have been called by the TJ

Smith doesn't seem keen on bringing players back without a run out in the reserves or two, so think we might have to be patient.

Yeah, can’t see either being thrown straight back in and probably rightly so. We don’t really behave a lot to play for and no point pushing injured players too hard

We don’t have a lot to play for? Were not even half way through the season, there’s plenty to play for

Ok by me. I'm a traditionalist when it comes to reserves: develop young players alongside recovering first teamers with a sprinkling of others who know their trade thrown in.

Hardaker
Fusitu’a Martin Sutcliffe Handley
Austin Myler
Oledzki Leeming Prior
Gannon Mellor
Smith

Dwyer Donaldson Thompson Tetevano

Bentley given a three match suspension, will return v St Helens.

We are 3 points off a play off spot. The race for 6th place is wide open between Cas, Hull kr, Warrington, Salford and Leeds. It’s viral we pick up wins against our play off chasing rivals, starting with Warrington.

This season all about damage limitation and building some momentum for next year.
We will have to have a 2:1 win lose ratio to make the playoffs, think if we win more than we lose second half of season that will he an achievement. I reckon win 8 lose 6

I would like us to win every game but it won't happen. Even if we get to the playoffs we're miles off Sts and will most likely fall at the first hurdle against anyone half decent. We've still got a terrible attack and lack quality, props and pace. We're miles off where we need to be.

This year must be about getting the team into the best shape possible for next year and for Smith to identify the changes he wants to the squad. If we end this season able to compete with everyone (without necessarily beating them but showing we could with a few squad improvements) and genuine aspirations to aim to win the comp next year that will be mission accomplished.

In fact finishing in the play offs might not be a good thing if it again hides the issues we have and stops real change. Agar said a few times we were 'one win' from the GF last year. Factually correct but given we haven't beaten Sts in over 4 years we might as well have been 50 wins away.

Would need us to finish above all four. In that mini league of five I reckon about third is realistic. Doesn't mean we shouldn't aim higher though.

I don’t think we need to win as many as 2/3 of our games to finish 6th. Cas sit in 6th with 6 wins from 13 games.

Confirmation that Harry Newman is now in full training so should be back for Warrington game next week.

Not sure if it is wise to rush Newman back without a game in reserves. Look what happened the last time we rushed him back!

There’s no rush, we’re unlikely to win against Warrington so ease him back for the second half of the season.

Why are we unlikely to win against Warrington?

Theyre 1 point above us.

I'd say because of the way they played against Saints, that our most effective forward from our last 2 games is banned for this one, and that they have strengthened their front row options.

I'm expecting us to compete but go down by 1-2 tries. If they play as badly as they have done at times this season we could win, but I think that's unlikely.

unlikely is actually a more positive word than i would use

Have you ever used positive words?.

Is Levi injured as not seen him selected for York for a few weeks? Or was he recalled when we were really short and not gone back?