Smith isn't named in the squad so unless we're playing mind games he ain't playing

Well i don't think we'll see that plan when hood can just interchange with mickey.
Just leave riddy where he is. he's working well with drinkwater. Nothing happens when riddy plays at 9,so that's out of the question for me.

In reality I think that's what will happen, with Dixon missing out. But it's not what I'd do

I would go with....

McNally
Higson
Brown
Tonga/Armstrong
Dawson
Ridyard
Drinkwater
Weston
Higham
Hock
Maitua
Hansen
Paterson



Subs:
Hood
Dixon
Acton
Hopkins

Brad Fash gone back to Hull ?

Fash was at the London game in the club suit so I guess he is still with us.

On the feature of them training this week, on LCTV too.

I sort of get the feeling that Salford will use McNally as bombing practise..

Not too concerned about that McNally is usually reliable under the high ball.

I just think we need some size out wide, when we played super league opposition it was visibly apparent that we were giving away a stone and a couple of inches man for man in the centres and on the wings. Not too worried about how the pack will hold up, just hope we can implement the pressure building game plan that wins games at this level. Kicking game needs to be spot on.

I don't think size on the wings is too much of an issue with Dawson and Higson.

I think we are quite evenly matched in the three quarters,weight wise.

You'll not get many bigger centres than Tonga & Brown.

I am very surprised and disappointed that Smith isn't in at fullback instead of McNally.

Is Smith injured?

I also feel sorry for Smith but there will be 5 more games after Saturday and if it does not pan out this weekend Smith must come back into the squadas he has not let us down this season. Defence is the key and we must be quicker off mark than we were on Saturday, you have to close down SL teas or we will suffer.

I would pretty much agree with you based on our named squad however, I would liked to have tried Smith at centre with Brown outside him and Tonga, with Dawson outside him! I'm concerned we dont have enough energy at acting halfback when Mickey's off the field or, Tiring ! I'd like to see if Lewis Foster could supply that energy certainly, Ben Reynolds found it too tough for himself last week! Travis Burns could also be an option? he's tough in the tackle too! Not a game for Danny Tickle too he's way off the pace!

Agree, Smith has performed consistently and has big game experience. And if Jukes acted on his words of replacing poor performers, you'd think he'd be in at fullback or centre replacing Worthington - McNally was average at best last week. Tonga has played a couple of games tops, so why his name is on the sheet is just odd for such a key game, unless Jukes has written this fixture off.

Either way let's hope it's an entertaining game and Smith gets a run out soon.

I'm a big Smith fan too however, Centre or Wing is my prefered position for him! Gregg Mc is still feeling his way back and he is a top support player on his day, his try at Salford was probably the best in the match?

I wonder who the Salford Centres would rather face

Maybe Jukes is paying Smith back for last years trauma!

[urlhttp://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/leigh-vs-wakefield/44148[/url

After that match Smith pretty much asked for a new contract on silly money. When we declined he said he wouldn't play then. So that journey ended. Key games again and he isn't playing?

Could be that, if he's fit, his big game experience could be very useful against SL opposition?

I think you are reading far too much into it.

Fact is Gregg McNally was always supposed to be 1st choice fullback as he has been for the last few years.

He badly hurt his knee in the friendlies and it looked like it could have been a season ending injury so we went out and signed Smith as a replacement.

Now after 7 months out McNally has come back and is currently favoured over Smith.

Personally I prefer McNally (our best player last season IMO) at fullback to Smith but would possibly put Smith in at centre. Others prefer him at fullback over Gregg.

Don't think there is any secret reason he isn't playing other than he simply wasn't picked this week. Maybe next week he will play, I certainly expect Lee to play a big role in these 8's.

Heavy weight contest for me ,not bantamweight.Not a match for agility, just pure power required.If Smith wasn't available fair enough,but if he was then its a bad call.Defense will be the key tomorrow, not attack.