Can we keep this thread on the match and not turn it into a mud slinging contest.

So here we go, the season finally kicks off. Toughest of opening fixtures (again!)

Be interesting how Wakefield respond. Them losing will probably be bad news for us as I imagine it's brought them back down to earth and a kick up the backside.

Looked a tough game yesterday and it will have taken something out of Wakefield. But the fact they're full time and our lot will have worked on Friday before the game probably cancels out that advantage.

Wakey will finish top and I'd be surprised if they don't win both the 1895 Cup and Grand final due to being full time and I expect their owner to recruit as the season goes on. But I don't think they're as good as some in the media are portraying (certainly no where near the Leigh side a couple of years a go) they do look an old team. So if we can get into them, who knows.

But we've been average at best so far and with Scurr, Doro, Baldwinson & Davies missing, we look lightweight. Expecting a Wakey backlash in front of their fans and im going 32-10.

I can see us getting a bit of a backlash from this defeat. We're seriously understrength and haven't been playing particularly well lately. Having said that I remember that back in 2015 when we first played in the championship it was quite a bit tougher than anticipated even with a fulltime squad and we all remember how that season played out. Wakey should be assured of promotion almost regardless of how they go on the field but I can see them getting beaten a few times this season.

We're a bit short in the backrow and at prop to say the least. Only Smith, Lawrence and Okoro available as bona fide props. Backrow we only have Butler, Appo and Hallas. Not sure if Peposhi is fit again or if we still have Brand on loan so that could mean Arundal in the backrow. We're missing Blackmore's go forward too.

I read somewhere that Leeds have a meeting with the match review people. I hope that isn’t Ackers as I saw him get penalised as we certainly don’t want Johnson recalling

I'd like to think our lads would look at the Fev result and think we could sneak this one, but the realist in me says Wakey backlash. Especially us being light upfront and them being fulltime. But you never know....

I reckon the conditions were a leveler at Post Office Rd. Belle Vue has a better surface so should be decent under foot. Could be interesting. We played some great rugby in the dry weather in the back end of last season but seem to have reverted to Kear-ball lately (albeit Gaskell's absence hasn't helped). Think our lack of forward depth will cost us.

Unless anyone comes in we'll likely line-up something like below.

McGowan
Brand/Oakes
Myers
Gill
Taufua
Gaskell
Lilley
D. Smith
Souter
Lawrence
Arundel
Butler
Hallas

Johnson
Okoro
Appo
Jowitt

Now officially sold out. Well done to both clubs

Looking forward to the game but expecting a defeat given the players we are missing. As long as I see effort from the team I'll be happy.

Its going to be a funny season as we all know that we can't do a London by picking up players towards end of season for a final push at the playoffs. We also know that its likely to be the off field stuff that will decide if we get promoted to SL so I'll be fascinated to see if interest in the on-field stuff actually matters as much.

I really hope so as ultimately that's what we all turn up for, but I have some doubts.

Sadly I can only see this going one way and that’s a heavy Wakey win. Fantastic news it’s sold out and should make for a brilliant atmosphere but I don’t see where we have an edge on them. The loss to Fev will only reset the mindset for them and I’d expect a backlash.

Thankfully nothing is won in March and our season won’t be decided on our results v Wakey. Wakey are going up for London based on IMG rule but we need to be the best of the rest in case they decide to demote another or expand SL.

I’ll be there hoping I’m wrong. We need to treat this as the acid test and perform for the full 80 to see where we can be compared to the rest of the league

Well said,I'm looking forward to this, albeit with a little trepidation. Should be a fantastic atmosphere with two sets of passionate fans cheering their teams on.

We're light in the forwards, they've got better players than us and I'd expect a backlash after yesterday's defeat. Can't see anything other than a heavy Wakefield win. Yesterday will have taken it out of them but they're full time so don't expect it to make a difference.

Just want to see effort and the sloppy discipline to be addressed.

If we had a full set of forwards I think we can give them a very good game.
Unfortunately we will have at least 4 forwards missing, so can see one result but as long as we compete I’ll be satisfied.

Trinity have a few players sat on sidelines in McGillvray, Thornley, Kay, Boothroyd and Bain who would probably be in the starting 17. Not sure on why Cozza was missing too vs Fev. Think Hood picked a calf injury up at Fev too. Hopefully a couple of these are back for Fridays game.

Short turn around after extra time helps you more than us with little time to prepare.

Expecting a tough and hopefully entertaining game.

No charge for Ackers though he did take a knock. O'Connor didn't get charged either though so I'm guessing we won't go down the road of recalling Johnson.

Sell out in the ground and launching the new Championship season but barely anyone will know as it isn't being shown on tv or even streamed. Our sport really is an embarrassment at times.

As for the match, the timing is really bad given the injuries we are carrying so can't see any upset on the cards. To be honest we just need to get through the game without further injuries or picking up any silly suspensions. We probably couldn't have picked a tougher opening four or five games in the league so we need to be smart.

Out of interest, what is the sell-out number? Was is a 7-8k capacity there?

We are currently at a limited capacity so it's around 7,300.

Even if we were full strength we all know what happens when one teams been grafting all day and the other's been sat about.

The evening games against Leigh showed it again and again, in it at half time, blown away in the second half... Mid-week games are a write off for hybrid an part time teams. '

I think one area where we have the edge is the spine.

Max Jowitt is a superb player and shouldn't be in this league. But I'd personally take each of Lilley, Gaskell and Souter over Gale, Lino & Doyle.

I know Gaskell isn't popular with their fans but he's key for us. Gale I think is living off past glories, he's nearly 36, didn't do anything for Keighley last year and had a nightmare at Hull before that. Sunday was atrocious conditions but it should have been ideal for him to control the game for Wakefield with his kicking game and he just didn't. If we were able to keep it tight and challenge then to unlock us I think we'd have a chance.

That said I think we'll get completely dominated in the forwards on Friday allowing Gale and Lino to have a field day.

Lacking two of our best backs (Holmes & Blackmore) and three of our best forwards (Scurr, Davies and Doro means we're seriously down on firepower. Hope McGowan is back from his concussion or it's Billy Jowitt at fullback.

Agree about the spine but as we all know they can't play without space and time. Wonder if Lawford will get a run for Wakey? Plenty of criticism for Lino on the Wakey board I notice.

I'm looking forward to it. It'll be a great reminder of the old days. But, that's enough about the City of Wakefield the game should be good too.

Lawford has impressed in more season and he looks like he could become a really good controlling halfback. It’s a possibility he could play certainly.

It will be a cracking atmosphere and it’s a shame we are on a limited capacity as there are people asking for people to sell them tickets as they missed out. Good for rugby league and the championship.

Trinity are in a transition and there are week on week improvement updating the ground. The new stand is superb and hopefully whoever is in there enjoys the atmosphere and game.

Looking forward to welcoming bulls to our home. Should be a great match up and a real shame it’s not on the box.

Wonder if they could put this on OurLeague? No one would be losing out financially and would imagine they would do decent sales.

Or Sportsman. The game will be available probably on Saturday on Trinity YouTube channel at least. Not the same as watching live ofcourse.

If it's already sold out everyone's a winner. The advertisers and sponsors would be happy with the added visibility. In fact the RFL could sell space and use it in TV contract negotiations if it gets decent viewing figures.