While Brett Kearney remains an uncertainty for this game, Bradford are somewhat injected with fresh bodies in the dynamic duo of Luke Gale and Heath L'Estrange.

It goes without saying that since Gale had to leave the field of play against Wigan, the attacking options have been severely handicapped.

That's not to say those players who have admirably stepped up to the plate - Addy, Jeffries and most recently Bateman to play in the halves haven't performed, because they have given nothing but 110% effort.

As for the fixture itself it presents an intriguing encounter as the Super League form book goes out of the proverbial window, in that you can never truly write off any side in knockout cup Rugby League.

Warrington on paper start as seismic favourites ....... BUT in the last round the same could have been said for our near West Yorkshire neighbours Castleford who went down 23-16 in one of the classic cup ties of recent years.

I think you need to watch the most recent encounter with Warrington to see that Bradford genuinely had the Primrose and Blue rattled for extended periods in both halfs (Bradford also unlucky with Three video referee adjudications).

The key to victory in my eyes is the continuation of the dominant forward battle we appear to be competitive in of late via the hard work of Burgess, Elima, Hargreaves, Kopczak, Langley, Manuokafoa and Whitehead.

That old Rugby League adage of the forwards laying the attacking platform for the backs.

Got my tickets and looking forward to it. I've got it filed under - don't expect to win, but it's the cup so you never know. I've seen nothing in the last few weeks which says we [ican't[/i win this; it's just a matter of me singing and shouting a bit louder...COYB

It'll be tough but it's do-able if we can get under their skin and rattle them. Hopefully they're still suffering from believing their own hype. We can definitely match it up front, and the key for me is if the half backs can do anything. Hopefully there'll be two of them.

First away cup game I've bought tickets for in years.

I may have to go into work Saturday morning and I wanted to travel by supporters coach, anybody know what time it leaves Odsal?

I think it's 12.

all the "hype" comes from the media to be honest..not our own doing.

'Bullmania' on the other hand...

Why does it matter where it comes from?

...came from Chris Caisley, and he wants to relive it...

Erm, because if the hype came from somebody else, it's not "their own hype" that they're believing.

Okay, fair enough. It was a poor choice of words.

Warrington believe somebody's, whoever that might be, possibly their grandmother's, hype. They look to me like a team that believes they can miracle their way out of any trouble. I suggest a team that can stick it up them will make them panic and do crazy stuff. If we can, and it's far from a given, that's what I'd be looking to do.

Forgive me for not caring even slightly about the source of the hype and talking instead about their believing of it.

Not be too hard on yourself.

Ignoring the silly last sentence, you do have a point. We (Warrington) spent large parts of games last season building pressure, playing at the right end of the field, respecting the ball and practising good discipline. We then dry humped most teams off the back of that work. This year, for whatever reason, we're looking for short cuts. I don't think we "panic" but we're not taking the same methodical approach. It was key in our downfall against both Saints and Leeds. It's a hoary old cliche but we need to go back to basics. We did that a bit on Sunday.

As for whether we're believing the hype (whoever came up with it) I've no idea. I've not spoken to any of the players so I don't know what their mental approach is. However, as set out above, we need to keep it simple especially a) early and b) in our own half. If we do that, we'll beat Bradford I expect.

All the adjudications were correct...Bit late for that pal....
However i agree the cup is where league form is put to one side.... I'm looking forward to a good contest hope you bring a few...

I'd agree with that, if we can disrupt the Wire style of play by whatever means think we're certainly in with a shout.

Referee: James Child (Leeds)
Video Referee: Steve Ganson (St Helens)

Bradford Bulls under James Child in 2012:

5/2/12 | Bradford Bulls 12-34 Catalan Dragons | 10,680

Worst REF ever my 4 month old could spot a penalty better than that man

High praise indeed in a week after Alibert.

Ganson's alright compared to most IMO.

Can Child spot a forward pass or not? That's the question.

Probably about one in four - which is more or less average these days. I'm not going to moan too much though as we get away with a few of our own....blights the game, imo.

No way!

Picked up Match and Coach tickets last night

Proper up for this and I really think we could do them at their ground



Team I Would Go For If Fit:

1. Kearney
2. Ainscough
3. Lulia
4. Platt
5. Pryce
6. Jeffries
7. Gale
8. Hargreaves
9. Diskin
10. Kopczak
11. Elima
12. Whitehead
13. Bateman

14. L'Estrange
15. Addy
16. Burgess
17. Kopczak

Walker, Olbison and Langley to miss out for me. We will miss Langleys work rate but I would sacrifice it for Batemans work rate go forward and Addy's creativity off the bench.

I would love Kopczak to play twice

Langley has to go as the 17th man 4 me but good team Bull Boy

Langley will play, it would be insane to leave him out.

Is Gale fit? Is Purtell definately out?

Purtell will unfortunately be out for two weeks minimum mate.

Gale & Kearney are 50/50.

If an occasional forward pass is the worst thing about the game I can live with that.

Get practising for the weekend - Boo! Forward! Cheat! Cheat! Cheat!