Tony Smith must disagree as Patton isn't even in the squad.

As a shot in the dark, does the Reserve team not have a hooker who can step in?

Sean Kenny is the specialist hooker, he has got some first team experience.

Could he try Jullien at interchange with Dwyer, if Wheeler is fully fit then OK give him a go but I would prefer to see him get a couple of eighty minutes in first as it's a very demanding role we need someone robust and durable.

I think the club is light on hookers on the whole, I noticed Harry Files played for the reserves, who is technically a Rochdale player I think.

I believe it was always the intention to give a game to Rochdale players this year - depending on their availability and with a view to also looking at the more promising one's. Both James Dandy and Harry Files played on Sunday, both of whom can play hooker.



Kenny left our U19's at the end of the 2014 season. I don't know what he did last year, but I am pretty sure he hasn't played in the first team. Andy Ackers also played in the U19's but was then released, went to Swinton and was subsequently loaned back to Wire for four weeks at the start of the 2015 season. I think he played a couple of the friendlies but never made a debut, and then disappeared back to Swinton.

Andy Ackers is currently playing for London Broncos as their interchange hooker.

Hopefully the experience will benefit him in a similar fashion to how Brad Dwyer improved under the tutelage of Andrew Henderson at Broncos.

Yeah he is, he was an academy player for us (Salford) and was on the verge of the first team. I think he won academy player of the year a couple of years ago, but was then released because of the stupid academy system that exists in this country. If we had an A team or U23's I'm sure he'd still be playing for us. instead he's had to drop down a couple of leagues like so many young players to get regular game time.

Charlie, i am pretty sure Kenny played at Widnes in the friendly.

Yes you are right. I think virtually all our reserves bar David Thompson got a game. That must be a pint I owe you.

I am surprised we are threadbare in the hooking department but maybe Russell could step in....he seems to like running from dummy half.

I said that on the 1st page.

For short term bursts I suppose Russell or Ratchford could step in, plug the half back spot with Westerman/Currie who are both adequate ball players. A lot on Dwter tomorrow, good test for him!

Good to see the benefit of the reserves league with the lads coming back in from the cold, Files was at Woolston last year so I believe, so a second chance for one lad has already vindicated the leagues set up for me. Playing with Dodds and Ratchford and against Yeaman and co can only help them kick on!

Harry Files did return to his Community Club at Woolston last season and did a great job for us; he is a very talented player and also a top person.

He signed for Rochdale this season but played for us in the Reserves on Sunday and acquitted himself very well.

Great minds think alike !

Kenny is the pick by a long way

That promo video we got pointed to after he signed was mostly showing his dummy half scoots. He looked very lively and made a lot of yards, like Dwyer when he comes on. I thought he was going to play hooker for us, then Scotland had him at fb.

No doubt Penny could shuffle into the full back position & stick Wheeler on the wing if Russell needs to take over at hooker from Dwyer.

i wouldn't want russell at acting half, his passing from there early season was poor last year, try to make the difference between playing hooker and dummy half running. We can't do that every play for every set, plus we'd also have rogues on here trolling like an old fart about negative play like wigan are the only team in the world with a hooker that doesn't pick the ball up and run, ever.

Wheeler on the bench as well as George King, Mitchell Dodds and Benjamin Jullien. Must be wheeler coming on to cover Dwyer unless Russell is going to spell there and wheeler on the wing? It will be a tough game this, without being too distespectful it will be a lot harder than out last 2 games.

Is cox injured? Or does Smith just think King is the better option?

Very nervous about this one. Tough given our missing players and their form.

I'm not sure, I think I would have had both on the bench (if he is fit of course) and not bothered with wheeler. We still have a good team out, it should be a good game.

I had a feeling that Cox might lose his place. If you watch the video chat between him and Ormesby this week, there was a light hearted mention about Cox's work rate (or lack of) over the last couple of weeks. But his stats don't stand out as anything special, and I didn't notice him do much against Wakefield. I like the guy though, and he looked impressive pre-season, so I hope he can win a place back in the side.

Apologies - TS just said on Sky that Cox pulled out due to illness.