Personally i`d like to see us revert back to the centre partnership that worked so well last year with Ryan Atkins on the left and Chris Bridge at right centre, i'd bring back Chris Riley on the left wing to partner Atkins. I appreciate that Atkins didn't do too well on friday night (as did the majority of the team) and that he's been out of form for a while, this could be the type of game to kick start some kind of form for him as the Crusaders like to play a fairly expansive and open game which could play into our hands.

I think Rhys Evans will probably be rested on friday night, he's one for the future so its not worth over exposing him too much just yet.

I`m a fan like most people are of an in form David Solomona but i think a rest could do him good too as he looks a bit out of sorts, he certainly needs to work on his physique a bit as we don't want the next version of Paleaaesina thats good for about 10 mins tops.

I'd possibly give Grix a start at 13 ahead of Harrison as well, its about competition for places and Harrison was a lot worse than most on friday night, its about sending out the right sort of message that no player is guarenteed a shirt and other players are waiting to take their place if they under perform.

The other one is Higham back in to replace Clarke.

They are just my own opinions, i'm sure you have your own.

All of that and a win would be nice.

Well with our strength in depth it must be a big headache for Tony Smith to pick his best 13.

Play the players in their correct positions, that's all I want.

definately need to score at least as many points as they do.

preferably more

Evans at centre, Riley on the Wing.

I think we all especially me, need to get things into perspective.
We are a very good team who will be in the top three at the end of the season and probably top 2.
We have had two bad games where we didn't play well in fact in the 2nd of those games we played bloody awful.
If we win this Friday then we could go top again, or at least 2nd.
It is a long season and all SL teams will hit bad patches, we have hit ours.
If we win this Friday and then continue in the following games as we have done in games prior to Les Catalan's then we will all have forgotten about this spell.


A good win on Friday, followed up with a wins against Salford on Good Friday and Hull on Easter Monday and all will be rosy again.

The forwards need to lay the platform so the half backs can play on the front foot. We should then get a roll on and this game is all about momentum


Quote could be from any Sky Pundit

not really, you didn't mention wigan/leeds

Strongest possible squad...end of

Thats spot on the forwards have not been on the best form the last two games just as pre season and Cardiff.

Back to basics would be nice. Building pressure while completing sets. Ideally I'd like to think that Solomona and Clarke to miss out this week. If we shape up something like this..

Hogdson
Jo Mo
Bridge
Atkins
Riley/Evans
Briers
Myler
Morley
Mi Mo
Carvell
Landerson
Westwood
Harrison

Pwood
Higham
Grix
Cooper

Harsh on Blythe and Evans/Riley. But as Rob has said we need some continuity in our backline.

Joo Mo and Mi MO

ARGHHHH!!!!
Jo-Mi-Mo

Even though i haven't got a fluffing clue what you're on about, that's the most sense you've made this year

Any Chance of Su Bo joininig Jo Mo and Mi Mo?

Play the best possible 17 available.

I also feel that Harrison best position is in the front row. Whether he starts or comes off the bench is the issue. My 17 would be:

Hodgson
Joel
Bridge
Atkins/Blythe
Riley/Evans
Briers
Myler
Morley
Monas
Carvell
Westwood
Anderson
Grix

Harrison
Wood
Higham
Solomana

spot on, on your first 2 comments

Harrison (atm) is no way a loose forward, he's a smaller prop, playing out of position. I always thought you needed a bit of guile to play loose. Something that Harrison hasn't got much of (yet) in his game

Harrison is a strange one, he gives 100% commitment every game but he's not quite big enough yet to be a prop and he doesn't look pacey or mobile enough for the back row.

I think as a club they need to decide on what position Harrison is going to play in the future and give him a training regime to suit that position, if its a back rower then he needs to become slightly leaner and work on his pace but if its a prop then he needs to bulk up and lose a bit of his extra condition.

Might help them catch the bloody ball this week.

agreed...Harrison is a very stange on, he seems like he is playing well again but obviously had a very bad game on fri.
his body type and speed do worry but he offers such much more that goes un-noticed to most! its not just the giving the 100%, workrate, the hard carrys out of yardage but the push support he always offers to the other forwards going to the line, plus can put a hell of a shot on.
and alot of ausy clubs are using a extra prop as a loose now... trust in smith i say.

Tony smith might just be trying to manipulate him into a loose as really he has played it for the last 3 seasons, and has 4 more left. god knows what he could be when the god tony smith himself has had him for that long!

Spot on Rob. He will end up as a prop, but for now?

now, before the doom-mongers/nit-pickers have a go....
I'm a touch (but only a touch) worried about our pack, re it's lack of flair...yes I know we have backs to do that.

Sure, Monaghan M helps guide us round the pitch, and Solomona (when he's on) has great hands, but we lack a guy who plays the majority of the 80 mins with any real guile/ball handling. It's more a (very good) workmanlike pack, than anything easy on the eye.

Maybe, when we're looking at the next batch of signings, we look for a ball handling 2nd row/loose forward

Complete our sets and keep hold the ball! If we build pressure and are clinical when we get on Crusaders line, instead of trying to score on every play, we'll be fine