I know it's only Monday and this thread doesn't usually pop up until later in the week, but wow I can't wait for this game.
With so much at stake it's gonna be a tense one, but hopefully we have the skill and fitness to pull through.

Will Gaskell play? I can't believe people are suggesting we leave him out. He was the best player in the whole league last season and I thought he had been back training for quite a number of weeks now? We would be fools to leave him out. Like someone suggested in the other thread, Charnock to 9 in place of Howarth for mine.

Exactly. Yes we've been playing well but Gaskell is a class player. Now he's some actual quality playing alongside him in the pivotal positions, it will take some pressure off. Got to play if fit.

Think we need some props back. It will be a war Out there and we've got to hit them with everything we've got as they'll be throwing the kitchen sink at us.

Really cant make my mind up on Gaskell; presuming he's fit that is. I dare say he'd look a much better player alongside Chisholm than he did struggling next to Addy, but at the same time why fix what isnt broke...

If anything i think i'd rather see him on the bench in place of Haworth - start Charnock at 6 and move him to 9 when taking off OB, going to Gaskell and Chisholm 6 & 7. All purely hypothetical depending on him being fit though. I dont think we'll see him this week.

I'd keep with the same 3/4 line, to a man they were all superb. If anything i think he might drop young Ethan, he seems to like protecting him from the bigger games at the moment. Personally i'd have him in there all day long. Especially seen its him or Blythe!!
Any word on Purtell lately?

The pack is picking itsself at the moment. Philbin, Haggerty and Ferguson all have to be in. Could see Pitts & Mellor missing out again. Though personally i'm tied between Pitts & Olbison.
Clark and Clough would get straight back in for me if they're fit.

Do we no how many tickets we was allocated by Fev?

I'd go with Pitts. He hasn't played as well this year as he has the previous 2, but I think Olbison & Mellor have been really out of form and Pitts has offered a bit more. Mellor had the one good game a few weeks back (I forget who against now), and Olbison has looked a shadow of himself this year. Shame really as he was once one of our most consistent performers.

I believe that it will be tough game they are in great form at the moment but surely if they do beat us, and fair play if they do, they will walk into the middle 8's without a team when Leeds recall all the dual registration players that make up the outfit

They haven't played nearly as many Leeds Dual Reg players as people suggest. With the exception of Jordan Baldwinson, who has spent most of the season playing for Fev, other Leeds Dual Reg players have only played 2 or 3 games a piece. They've only had Baldwinson, Golding & Mullally playing the last couple of weeks.

Absolutely can't wait for Sunday! Also incredibly nervous about it, easily as much as for the million pound game last year. Amazing how 2 weeks ago I had written the season off and was merely going to see the new players perform and start looking forward to next year.

Went to buy my tickets this morning. They sold about 15 in the 5-10 mins I was in the shop and there were people waiting to buy when I left. The woman behind the till said they were queuing into the car park to buy after yesterdays match.

Some real selection headaches for this weekend which can only be a good thing. We've been very, very close in our big matches this year (Leigh at the bash and at the LSV) but come up just short. Hopefully that can stand us in good stead now we have creative players at half back and a full back who has now settled in and is really starting to look the business.

In tight, arm wrestle type matches like this one is going to be your Chisholm, Moss, Charnock, Gaskell type players are vital and can win the game for you given the slightest gap in defence.

Fev know the Bulls attack can hurt them, but our defence is still shaky and in a close game we could be found wanting, but as it's a big match for both Teams I feel that may not be so much of an issue. Again it will be a change in the Team 17 which will again cause the odd problem but that's just a symptom of the Club prior to Rohan joining!
The Bulls should shade it unless they can step up to SL pace and possibly blow Fev away 2nd half!

well after reading this thread iv no idea why your only on same points as us

Is it just me that finds this fixation on Leeds' dual reg players a bit OTT?

The idea that Leeds are, somehow, really concerned that we are going to meet them in the eights and are perturbed by this, to such an extent that they will be prepared to offer extra players to Fev, just to keep us out of the four, is plain lunacy, imo.

I know it's all part of the build up etc but, Jeez give me strength - they've getting all their top earners back and have just beaten the top two in SL over the last fortnight and we're a second tier team which is struggling to make the top four. Bet they're quaking in their boots!!

Couldn't agree more. I don't get it at all.

Apart from the irony if one of them scores a winning try against us (and that's all it is, a bit ironic considering some of our fans' obsession with them), I really don't see it being all that relevant.

Can't wait. Should be a sell out.

I walked past the ticket office on my way out yesterday and looked inside. It was only a couple of minutes after the players had been applauded, and the queue was already back to the door then.

Advance ticket sales also won't be the only judge. There's no price incentive to buy early (same amount on the gate as the ticket is). There's only the 10% to Bradford and knowing you have it in case of a sell out. But some people won't be that fussed about that unless they hear it's getting close to selling out, they'll still just decide on the day to head over.

I think the idea of replacing Howath is wrong . Given the criticisms levelled at him in the time he's been here I watched him closely yesterday and I can see why Smith has not only been starting with him but having him on the field when O'Brien is also there. And I actually think it's making O'Brien an even better player.
Charnock had another good game yesterday not only with his kicking. He is becoming more confident and took on the line a good few times.
Moss Chisholm Charnock Howarth and O'Brien would all be in my 17.
Whatever the result next weekend I think Smith's team selection will be a clear indication of how he will recruit for next year. For example if Gaskell is going to the Giants and is selected in the 17 , I believe that indicates that he is not content with those covering the starting right centre/ back up half back roles.

I still think Howarth is a 13 rather than a hooker. He has a very similar skillset (and weaknesses) as Addy for mine. Good squad player to cover places, good first choice 13 for a Championship level team. After that, I remain unconvinced.

I think the idea of leaving Gaskell out if he's fit though is a crazy one. Whether he's leaving or not, you don't leave out a quality player like that out of spite. I get not wanting to change a winning formula, but it's a formula that's beat Whitehaven & Oldham, not Wigan & Warrington.

I get a lot of feeling that people say if we don't play at our best we will lose. That could be true but also assumes that Fev will play at their best. The beauty of sport is that there are two teams each of which could play good, bad or moderate and any combination will result in a different result. That's why they make you actually play the game out.

I don't think anyone is suggesting leaving Gaskell out "out of spite". I do have doubts about his ability to get up to speed in such an important game after a lengthy spell away. Who'd have thought we'd be having a discussion because we more than one option in the halves when Gaskell last played!



This is very true - it's actually a battle between the two biggest teams with the ability to blow hot and cold in the league this season, hence we are both are where we are right now - having written off the season a few weeks back but both right back in it.

Was definitely mentioned last week. A sense of "well he's leaving anyway, so sod him!". If Gaskell isn't totally fit, it's not worth the risk. But as far as getting up to speed, it has to happen at some point. If you leave him out this week, you're getting him up to speed in the middle 8s (IF the result goes our way this weekend) against the likes of Leeds, Huddersfield or Salford. If we lose this week, it all doesn't matter anyway, as all we have left are pointless glorified friendlies.

Once he is fit though, it is a very odd situation to be in as a Bradford fan as you say. From Gaskell being out earlier in the season and us having zero options at half back, to actually disputing over which ones to play? I feel all dizzy.

I see where you are coming from, but should we qualify for the Top 4, our games in the Middle 8s would be far less pressure than against Fev on Sunday! If we lose against Leeds, Huddersfield and Salford, who cares?

Only the coach and Gaskell himself will know if he's ready, but going on his past history I remain to be convinced.

The Fev game is huge and they will be right up for it. We’re starting to find some form but they are too. I’d feel more comfortable with a fit Clough, Clark and Kavanagh in the side.

As for Gaskell he’s not been the same since he got his jaw broken to be honest but part of that may be to do with him playing in a side with no other playmakers around him and the squad being generally fed up under Lowes.

If he’s fit I’d pick him in the 17 at least. Now he’d be alongside some more creative players so there would be less responsibility on him. As has been said he could be very valuable if we beat Fev and could feature more in the 8s.

It surely had to be that. I can understand a leg injury changing your style of play or never quite being recovered from, but a jaw? The only way that affects you is mentally if you're scared to go into a tackle, but Gaskell doesn't seem like the sort. If it had been Karl Pryce....

Didn't expect to get this chance after Fax game. Just hope they can get goal kicking sorted for weekend. It went some way to our defeat in MPG so hope it won't happen again v.Fev

Just tried to buy two tickets. Initial allocation already gone, expecting more in the morning.

There would appear to be some interest, then. Good. I can no longer attend for health reasons but will keep my fingers crossed.