Red, you reckoned crookes was still gonna grow after i marked him as to small a few years back.

Sykes over crookes any day of the week for me. crookes is dire, cnt understand why he still here.

I can't believe that its only sykes that is getting all the stick from last weeks game. Some of Ah Vans positional play last weekend was the worst I've ever seen (that includes Sykes). He was caught out of position several times which resulted in tries. The try the Giants scored in the 2nd half after he stormed out of the line on his own (at least 15m infront of the rest) to chase the player with the ball around the pitch was laughable. If youre looking for a quick defensive fix, get Ah Van out of the centre for the time being. At least until he sorts his defence out. Problem is who to put there. This was the 1st time he's really been exposed but I'm pretty sure Mr Matterson know where to attack this week.

Sykes seems a better centre option to me this week. At this moment in time, I don't see what Ah Van adds to the side, in defence or attack. Playing someone out of position in the centres isn't an option if the team is to be improved.

Think Olbi would be a pretty good centre. His defence is up to it.

Thought he might grow a bit more but he hasn't.

Stick him in a bag of John Innes.

Ah Van in the centres. Please.

which is why I commented on his current position and not what he was signed as

you're pretty much guaranteed to get that this week anyway given our only 2 fit wingers are ainscough and ah van (discounting crookes who's on loan and not specialist winger anyway). Problem is who to play in in his place. basically comes down to choice between sykes and royston, wouldnt play olbison there and believe he picked a knock up at weekend anyway.

If donaldson is fit then we have more options as we could shift addy into halves, kearney to FB freeing up royston for . If donno isnt fit then I'd expect sykes in the .

Langley and Briggs in the squad according the radio Leeds.

If that gets confirmed thats awesome news. Pottor was doing interviews today, wonder if its come from that. Wait and see if it gets confirmed.

Does seem unlikely though given the information we've had up to now. Langley was pretty negative on his own progress just last week for example.

Apparently Briggs is fit, Langley is 50/50.

Ohh get you mister keyboard warrior.

If Briggs is true, it makes it nice and easy. Briggs to 6, Kearney to fullback, Royston in the centres, Ah Van on the wing. No need for Sykes.

50/50 has been abit of a kiss of death recently! See what the squad announcement comes out with.

Briggs fit is good news in itself though if its true.

Sounds about right, just unfortunate that Ah Van has to play after last week!

I'd be amazed if Royston plays in the centres. Sibbits got more experience in the centres than Royston. I class this call in the "Ah Van to stand off" category. Sheer desperation.

I'll wager Platt with either Ah Van, Sykes or Crookes in the other centre, unless Chev makes a miracle return.

Given the injuries we are dealing with there is a bit of desperation in there.



Ah Van has to move to the wing due to Raynor being out, I've not seen alot of Crookes but others seem to doubt he is ready. So its a choice between Sykes and Royston as I see it.

I think Royston brings more options in attack so would like to see him play on Sunday. He's been defending in the line for some of the games so far anyway as Kearney has switched to fullback.

I'll happily pray for an early Chev return with you though

When Sibbit played in the centres before he wasn't as big as he is now.

Royston's been defending at centre when Kearney's gone back to fullback anyway.

Lets hope Briggs is fit. Will make selection alot easier, and I am really excited to see him play this season. In the friendlies he was causing havoc down that right side with Platt running good lines. Imo, he can be the half-back which we rely on to get the kicks in and get the ball out whereas Herbert can roam a bit more and look to expose any weaknesses like his set up for Raynors try vs Hudds and his own try.

As well as Kearney has done, Briggs offers us alot more at stand-off and Kearney can still do some creative work from full back.

I think it's a bit early to judge Briggs yet but he will add more to the side. I'd be surprised to see him this weekend as I was under the impression he's a couple of weeks away from fitness.

Luckily I missed the Hudder game but I would go with the following if Briggs and Langley are unavailable.

Royston
Ainscough
Platt
Sykes
Ah Van
Kearney
Herbert
Lynch
Diskin
Hargreaves
Olbison
Whitehead
Elima

Burgess
Donaldson
Addy
Scruton

That said it's a tough call on the left side where we've two players with defensive issues. I'd also agree with a previous poster that Whitehead is skating on thin ice with the amount of errors and missed tackles he makes.

maybe a bit harsh leaving koppy out to fit burgess in, when imo he's contributed more than scruton so far. Scruton may have an excuse with his shorter pre-season though.

And yet, Royston has played in the centres far more recently than Sibbit. Sibbit played it early in his career and has massively bulked up since then. Not sure where you get that from if I'm honest, but it doesn't appear to be based on any recent knowledge of Royston or Sibbit's career.

I do however believe that Sykes will play centre with Royston at fullback. But if Sykes doesn't play, and Briggs does, I'd be more than happy to wager that Royston has a much higher chance of playing in the three quarters than Sibbit.

But isn't Sibbit injured? So surely talking about him playing at centre is a moot point?

Personally, I'd be more confident about Sunday's game if Langley and Briggs are fit to play. We're getting a little light in the back row, so having Langley back in would shore up those defences. Having Briggs fit means Kearney can go at full back full time and can play with a bit more freedom to his game, which makes him more of an attacking threat. Would also put Royston at centre to partner Ah Van and help cover some of Ah Van's short comings in defence.

Personally, going by what I've seen on Cas so far this year, if we're to win then we have to do it in the first half. I don't know what their coach does at half time, but Cas tend to do their best work in the 2nd half of games.

However, if we fail to turn up like we did against Hudds then we're going to get creamed again.