So, what do we think? We will be looking to kick on from the Saints game and get another win, whereas Wakey will want to bounce back from their loss to Wigan. Both teams will be up for it. I'm going for a crucial Sykes drop-goal 27-20 to Bradfooooord. COME ON YOU BULLS!

Wakey have proved to be a tough side, I feel we'll get the win this time, but it wont be easy,. Going to be a tight one

I would think with the squad that Deacon really needs to prove he deserves a spot and would stay with Sykes and Jefferies for 6&7

After the close run thing at Belle Vue, it's going to be tight again. IMO, back to back wins could really kick start things this year.

This is a far better fixture than pre season might have suggested
two teams that can turn it on, two sets of supporters that expect a win.
Not a lot between the two sides. IMO the game will be won by the side that wants it the most.
24-20 to the bulls,
Edinburgh YEA!! here we come.

I hate to say it but i think wakey will just pip you to it.

bulls 18 - wakey 22

Both Deacon & Nero will be available.

If Nero slots straight back in at LC - which I think he will, Platt will go back to the bench as Halley is doing well at FB.

Against Leeds, Menzies & Sykes seemed to rotate between SO & RC quite regularly although did Menzies showing vs Saints get him the RC spot at the expense of Sykes? That would only work if Sykes continued at SO.

I think we have conclusively shown that Jeffries is a far better Scrumhalf than SO and needs to stay there.

Where does that leave our captain & record points scorer?

I don't think we could afford to have both Deacon & Platt on the bench.

The other option of course - with Solomona out, is for Menzies to back to 2nd row (Rt side), along with Sykes at centre but then we have the underwhelming Deacon/Jeffries Half back combination again.

Questions, questions. Who would be a coach?

My own feeling would be to leave Sykes at SO with Jeffries. Deacon would need to prove himself to get back in the team.

This doesn't give him the right to walk back into the team.
As much as I respect and admire Paul, there is no room for sentiment in todays game.

I wouldn't be rushing Deacon back in.

Neither would I. It's a shame we can't bring him on to kick goals like in NFL.

agree about Deakin not being rushed back.
Whatever no shirt Menzies is given, hope he plays a centre role, his tackling and attacking pressure on the Sts defence was something wonderous to behold.
Is there any skill this guy doesnt have.

Maybe Deacon should at least get another shot. He didn't have too long to get into form, especially seen as he seemed to keep getting a niggle with his knee.

I'd go for Deacon and Jeffries in halves, Sykes & Nero in Centres Menzies back to 2nd row, which is imo his best position. If Deacon is having a nightmare again then move Menzies & Sykes in spells. Platt should miss out, although he didn't do too badly against saints to say it was noly his second match in the centres.

Sykes goal kicking looks to be improving though as he does it more often during the game (and practicising more)

Also with regards to an earlier post re having Deacon and Platt on the bench - I don't think Deacs has got a place at the moment. The half backs seem to be working at the moment, Menzies is sureing up the back line and unless he brings a game we've not seen before his addition is not meritted

As per wiganbull, no room for sentiment - especially when we need to get a##es into gear to get moving up the table

Tough game me thinks, but i think we can win this one depends which bradford team turns up.
Hopefully confidence will be high by beating saints and also the recruitement of Julian R has given terry a new lease of life.

GANSON: we will lose by 30+
SILVERWOOD: we will lose by 20+
BENTHAM: we will lose by 16+
ALIBERT: we will lose by 12+
HEWER: we will lose by 8+
THALER: we will lose by 6+
SMITH: we will WIN by 4+

Ian Smith we need

Excuse me, are you the same chap as was whingeing on about the Silverthon reffing us against Saints?

How did that game end up?

Silverwood still let St Helens get away with forward pass tries

so basically you'd undo the changes weve made in last fortnight, which has won games against leeds and saints, and revert to the team selection thats been proven not to work?.

personally I'd leave deacs out, with sykes staying in halves. Not sure about menzies, think with solo out I'd be tempted to play menzies in 2nd row and retain platt at . Think platt improved a great deal in the on friday and it could be a good position for him and his defense is stronger than sykes

I don't know tbh.

Deacon does do a good job as an organiser when on the pitch, his goal kicking would be welcomed back and if he could get himself on form I don't see a reason why he shouldn't be included. Arguably, as you have said, why change it when they're doing ok? Platt did well on Friday, Jeffries has been going good at SH and Sykes is doing a good job at SO. We'll have to wait and see what Macca thinks, he's now proved himself as a tactical genius anyway

.

Maybe:

Halley
Tadulala
Nero
Platt
Sheriffe
Sykes
Jeffries
Lynch
Newton
Scruton
Burgess
Menzies
Langley

Kopzcak
Cook
Worrincy
Rinaldi

?

Think you're right, leave Deacon out for now, see if Sykes/Jeffries works again. Questionable putting Burgess in SR but with Sol gone we need a good ball handler, I don't think we should start the Worrlord yet as he seems to make an impact off the bench.

only change i'd make to that is swap langley and burgess round. langley is more effective at 2nd row and sam has more freedom at loose. would be tempted to put menzies on bench and start with cook to give menzies a bit of a break. We've been playing him a bit too much given his age and we're just asking for an injury if we keep expecting him to do full 80 minutes.

Depends exactly how fit Deacon is and whether he needs game time or training to get fully fit. Not sure its fair to judge him on form when we know he was hampered by injury.

At least we've got the 2 days extra rest over Wakey this time.

Depends exactly how fit Deacon is and whether he needs game time or training to get fully fit. Not sure its fair to judge him on form when we know he was hampered by injury.

At least we've got the 2 days extra rest over Wakey this time.

[url=http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague/09/04/27/RUGBYL_Wakefield.htmlWakey in the wars too on injury front[/url

May be a bit light in the old Wing department.

given the rumors flooding the wakey forum re brough they could be light in the halves department too