No Lewis Bienek, Liam Forsyth or Andy Thornley

Strong Squad Derek, we should be strong enough to beat the pies.

Agreed Ian. I'm looking forward to the game.
Here is the squad for the pies.

JD said Forsyth and Bienek are injured. Not seen anything about Andy Thornley.

What was that?

Degsey Must have had some tips from Man Utd.



I am still apprehensive regarding our pivots, apart from Wildie terneet.

Totally agree. I lost track of the number of times Reynolds, when presented with a 3 on 2 or 2 on 1, took the wrong option time and time again.

I have watched both the warm ups and whilst some may point to a perceived lack of size in the middle, our half backs are a major concern for me.

Whoever first said 'do not read to much in to friendlies' I hope were completely bob on.

We have 4 top end champ halves to choose from - we’ve asked for Sammut for years and now got him, maybe the coaching is an issue. Wasn’t overly impressed with our style of rugby last year but we were restricted somewhat by the circumstances. We have a very good backline this year - the question is can we use it

To clarify, the concern is who is going to play first choice stand off. I do not and never have rated Reynolds as a top end Championship half back. He doesn't seem to read the game as well as the top HBs can, most of what he does either never comes off or is completely the wrong option. The lad to his credit tries his best, I'll give him that and I will never knock him for that.

Just my opinion. Chris Chester's appraisal of him is far more harsh.

Happen John Duffy can improve him?

Woods and Sammut for me, saw some good potential in Woods last season - nows the time to step up

I agree. I would definitely go with those two as well.

H,I respect your opinion as always ,for me I prefer Sammutt and Reynolds in the halves,for me Woods doesn’t Off much more than a high kick, which both Sammutt and Reynolds can do, and Reynolds takes the line on more.
Then again it’s all about how JD sees it, on Friday he played Sammutt and Woods in the first half and Riddy and Reynolds in the second,which is why we have these games.
Myself I enjoyed the game ,and think Duffs will know his starting 17 for the Dews game,the back line of McNally, Ince,Thorniley,Sau ,And Higson has some size and power , my pack would be Mason, Hood, Gerrard,Thompson,Grohl, and Addy, though a few permutations could be argued,it’s all about the 2 from 4 in the halves,we need a good start and I predict a good season ,another string to Reynolds bow is his goal kicking, great to be back.

The half back conundrum is a fascinating one. I think any two of the four can be slotted in and play together. Gone are the days when the half backs have to combine - it's now more a case of one playing on the left and one on the right, and almost never the twain shall meet.

Another interesting influence on selection, could be our season-long loan players. Presumably, we will have had to give some form of 'guarantee' about game time for these guys? So we may just find that Scott, Woods, Bienek and Mullen, get quite a bit of game time.

Alan I didn’t know a Club had to Guarantee game time to Loanees?Having said this I was impressed with Scott on Friday,his physique and stature is impressive and to Captain the England youngsters must mean he’s a decent player.The recording of Bienek is also impressive,I don’t know much about Mullen.
Our Squad does look decent know,adding Gerard to the pack is a good move,I’m predicting a second spot finish,to a vintage season.

Hi Ian. I don't know what the terms are for season-long loans, but would have thought the 'parent' club was sending their players to us, on an understanding that they get some game time/experience. That said, I'd be perfectly happy to see all four of those lads figuring regularly. (along with the other 23!!

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I too, feel much happier with our squad now that two props have been added - plus Scott, who has an excellent background.