I'd like to see us with 2 Props on the bench, Godwin and maybe a young lad. I would also like to see us play Lynch for shorter spells, maybe 30 mins first half and the last 30 mins of the second half, let Scruton, Koppy, Burgess/Crossley play a bit longer. Also if interchanges permit try Newton and Godwin together for a spell at the end maybe. Not much detail there and obviously no coaching skills but hey I couldn't make things worse, could I?

I would tend to agree with your idea about 4 props. I think we need to stop moving Burgess around from prop to back row as a pre meditated game plan, play him in one position and if its prop let him rest accordingly whilst using 4 props. This might also give us a chance to see if Crossley can make the step up and help Burgess too, perhaps some of the regulars watching the reserves/academy can tell us if Crossley is ready for the bench?

I'm sure he could manage to sit on it for 76 mins without too many problems.

Crossley's been ready all season for a bench spot IMO he would have been my first choice ahead of the others as he's physically bigger.

Well then, get the lad on the bench and go with 4 props. Maybe try;

Lynch - Newton - Scruton
Menzies - Worrincy/Langley
Burgess

with Kopzak, Crossley, Godwin, Donaldson on the bench?

or how about;

Lynch - Newton - Burgess
Menzies - Donaldson
Langley

with Scruton, Crossley, Godwin, Worrincy on the bench?

I'd go with any similar scenario. It gives a couple of lads some real game time and keeps Lynchy fresh, it also asks some of the other to pull a bit more weight. Keeping all the Props rotated would give us maximum impact and the best chance to get the most out of our limited halves. But what do we know? I still think it would be very hard to make the team play worse by trying these scenarios....

At this moment in time James Donaldson isn't big enough to play in the forwards in super league

Any of the other lads ready to step up to do a 40 min stint in the first team in your opinion before the end of the season? Donaldson seems to be the latest one that Macca is trying to ease in.

Other than Whitehead and Crossley no.

cheers for the insight, I just hope these lads that can have a go at it get some decent game time in the remaining matches. Might as well use them to get these lads used to it this year so we can judge if they can play a fuller part next year. I'd especially like to see Crossley given a go as I've not seen him yet.

Is it worth considering using remaining games to blood the lad Horton at hooker, and use Newton as a sort of 'mentor'. Seeing as Newton is leaving anyway, a good use of his remaining time might be to bring through the academy player, maybe working on stuff in training and then spelling them in 20 minute slots in matches to bring it onto the pitch.

I should say that I've never seen Horton play and have no idea if he is even ready....

It's just a thought

RER what about Olbison? Or are you disregarding him due to his size aswell?

For a forward yes but if he played maybe not as much.

How should we fill the bench this week?

Well dependant on performance we could look at quick setting concrete? Hopefully we could stretch to enough to fill that portakabin at the top of the steps as well?

Thanks. What are your views on Hyde? Would he be ready to have a spell at stand-off or FB off the bench?

Be careful with the half time drinks, he could be a changed man in the second half. [size=59=yellowTries again.[/size