When Gidley went off it looked like a game of pass the parcel with players standing still and passing the ball to the next man in line. I couldn't believe my eyes. What are they doing in training ?

Patton is fit, has played a couple of games, and is a dedicated half that can kick, albeit not with the same consistency as GidleySandow. I think that will make it difficult for TS to bring in Ratchford at half.

It won't do any harm to try a different halfback combination ,better now than in the play off comp.

I wouldn't rule out TS using the "we will probably have a different half back pairing" to be unhelpful in salfords plans for thurs? Altho I don't agree with risking Gidley if he needs time out someone else will need to lead.

Its got to be Ratchford ...all day long...and he'll have to step up to the plate...he's playing for a place in the fist choice 17

For me, Ratchford can replace Atkins as soon as possible

If not Gidley then Ratchford must partner Sandow.
If pattern plays we will get beat there's a prediction for backslap. Sandow and Patton will not get on top of Dobson and Lui.

If Ratchford comes through the game against Hull tomorrow without issue he will 100% link up with Sandow on Thursday.

That would be a big ask for a player who has played one reserve game today (Hence very short turn around), & no pre-season games.

I am also unsure how much pre-season training he was able to carry-out, so his durability to play 80 minutes, for what should be a very tough away game at Salford is questionable?

If Smith does select him to play halfback against Salford, then we will see how a Sandow/Ratchford partnership combines. They are both off-the-cuff players, and there is a risk of how they perform from an organising perspective.

There is a post on the Hull FC Board indicating that Wire won the Reserve game 34pts to 22pts.

Quote ="Boss Hog"That would be a big ask for a player who has played one reserve game today (Hence very short turn around), & no pre-season games. I am also unsure how much pre-season training he was able to carry-out, so his durability to play 80 minutes, for what should be a very tough away game at Salford is questionable? If Smith does select him to play halfback against Salford, then we will see how a Sandow/Ratchford partnership combines. They are both off-the-cuff players, and there is a risk of how they perform from an organising perspective. There is a post on the Hull FC Board indicating that Wire won the Reserve game 34pts to 22pts.'" Match Report for Hull FC versus Warrington Under 23`s game:- www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Hull-FC- ... story.html

Quote ="Boss Hog"That would be a big ask for a player who has played one reserve game today (Hence very short turn around), & no pre-season games. I am also unsure how much pre-season training he was able to carry-out, so his durability to play 80 minutes, for what should be a very tough away game at Salford is questionable? If Smith does select him to play halfback against Salford, then we will see how a Sandow/Ratchford partnership combines. They are both off-the-cuff players, and there is a risk of how they perform from an organising perspective. There is a post on the Hull FC Board indicating that Wire won the Reserve game 34pts to 22pts.'" Match Report for Hull FC versus Warrington Under 23`s game:- www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Hull-FC- ... story.html

For me, if Gidley isn't available then it has to be Patton replacing him. Likewise if Sandow was unavailable I would slot Ratchford in. We have to think about combinations and as has already been pointed out, a combination of Ratchford and Sandow is volatile. This coming fixture is a potential speed hump and we have to play smart to get the result. Patton is an organising half and has played really well in every match he's played this year. It's a tough call on Ratchford, especially since he'll have a 4 day turnaround from a full 80 minutes today. I'd either stick him at centre in place of Atkins or put him on the bench as an impact sub. Problem is I can't see Smith having the faith in Patton so I think we will see the risky Ratch/Sandow combination after all and it may well prove to cost us the momentum we'll built up so far this season.

On current form replace Atkins with Ratch, give Declan Patton a run with Sandow as he can and will boss the forwards and leave Sandow to weave his magic without the worries of bossing the forwards. If Sandow gets a rest I would put Ratch with Gidley for the same reasons.

Is it automatic that gidley will be out Thursday because if the concusion or can our doctors pass him fit?

It looks to me that according to the guidelines he could play on Thursday.

I'd play Gidley on Thursday if he's up to it and the rules allow it.

Salford away is a tough fixture and they're playing quite well at the moment, so take no chances.

the more we hear he's not playing, the more i reckon he will, lets see what happens when the squad is announced.

It wouldn't come as a shock to see him at least named in the 19.

I hope so but Ratchford looks to be preparing to play as he only did 40 minutes on Sunday.

I too would not be surprised to see Gidley play at halfback for Wire against Salford,this Thursday.

I know its early in the season - but how confident are we about this year's team minus Gidley ?

He certainly seems to have added some organisation on the field, and puts in a decent defensive shift too. Let's hope someone steps up (if needed) and that we perform well without him.

We'll probably line up like this

O'brien Carney Griffin Sau Johnson Lui Dobson Kopzcak Lee Griffin Masila Jones Flanagan

Tomkins Walne Krasniqi Lannon/ Evalds

From what I've seen if Gidley does play then, in my opinion, the best two halfback pairings so far this season go up against each other.

My hope is that someone does step up, particularly if the absence can be planned for pre game in comparison to the disruption of him leaving the field early mid match.

We did lose that organisation against Wakefield, we could do with him on Thursday it's a tough game IMO

If Gidley really is on gardening leave this week it will be a pity, because the Salford match will surely be the first indicator of whether we have the makings of a competitive side this year. It didn't look good when he left the field against Wakey though did it ? - which perhaps is a good reason for having another look at Patton.

I think I would bring in Ratchford to share a bench spot with Atkins. We need him back to match fitness asap but I am not sure he could complete 80 minutes in what will be a pretty physical game. Then bring in Dodds for King, again starting from the bench. Finally pair up Patton with Sandow. If he is having a shocker, Ratch could move there.

That sounds like a good option and Patton has been playing well and deserves a chance to start. Ratchford on the bench to use as and when. Clark and Dwyer can be used later together to spell Westerman with Clark at 13 as we did when Mickey Higham was here.