I just feel that we need to weigh up the options better and take an opportunity when it presents itself.

During pre season our full reserve team lost by one point away to the team placed 2nd in Sheffield’s division. Many of our youngsters are currently playing for teams like Widnes and Whitehaven who are above Sheffield in the table as well. This proves the ‘kids’ we could bring in are around the same level as the Sheffield one if not better.

If that is mixed with some real top SL class i.e Bailey, Carmont, Mossop, Fielden, Phelps, Goulding, Prescott & Deacon then we should have enough to win at a canter.

The pack I originally selected contains a plethora of international talent including Mossop and Prescott both former Ireland internationals Fielden is a fully fledged GB international and Phil Bailey has played for Aus! Outside of him you’ve got another GB player in Deacon and a former Aussie school boy stand off in Phelps and lets not forget the former Samoa captain in Carmont as well. Goulding and Pryce are not slouches either.

And to top it all off we’ve got last years championship coach of the year and former Barrow coach Dave Clarke to fully brief the Madge on what to expect from Sheffield and it’s players.

I can’t see the logic in playing our full strength side. We’ve got talent in depth so lets use it.

Whats the crack with Ainscough on this one? I understand he cannot play for Cas, could we bring him back for the game then loan him back out.

I think Pryce could do with a game, he has somewhat dropped off the face of the earth, and a first team shot could be just what he needs to spark his season.

Would not mind if players like Davis and Tuson were recalled for this one, if that is indeed possible.

1- Phelps
2- Charnley/Ainscough
3- Goulding
4- Carmont
5- Pryce
6- S.Tomkins
7- Deacon
8- Fielden (c)
9- McIllorum
10- Coley
11- Mossop
12- Tuson/Bailey
13- Farrell

14- Howarth
15- Walker
16- Vievers
17- Palea'aesina

Rest Gleeson, Richards, Joel Tomkins, Bailey?, Prescott and O'Loughlin

We are clearly very tired, I'm not going to complain about todays performance at all. I'm just glad we got the win and we now have 2 easy games on paper and should hopefully go into the Hudds game with an 8 game winning streak.

Forgot about Ainscough! Would definanetly have him in the team. He's got a 48 hour recall clause in his contract and that he cant play in the cup for them so i cant see why he wouldnt play especially given the opposition and the injurys we have.

Sam deserves a rest for me. Still only half way into his 2nd season, he's had a few bangs this season and he's also one of our few players who played in the four nations. When we get an opp to rest him we'd should be all over it.

I would keep Bailey out there think he still needs game time after his injury, Fielden and Coley I feel have earned an extended rest.

The problem with resting both Fielden and Coley is that there is a massive gulf in class after these two.

It's catch 21 as if we drop them we seriously miss them but if play them and they get injured then we really are up the creek without a paddle.

I think that might be why Madge rested Fielden today. He’s gonna play him next week so he can rest Coley.

Can we bring Ben Davies back?

Just play the U20's side that played last week IMO.

Looking at your 13 though it has

Carmont, Phelps, Deacon, Fielden, McIlorum, Prescott, Bailey (poss Goulding but couldn't hold reg spot before this year) who can be considered as established first team SL players. Carmont and Phelps have both had recurring niggling injuries so far so may not finish the game or be at full strength. Lose them and we are down to 15 men and 5 or 6 with sufficient experience. Fielden and Prescott are off for part of the game so that is a loss of 1 more for part of the game (I assume one only of Coley/Feka would be on your bench).

Three debutants Vievers, Charnley and Marsh. Either that or two and a player in Pryce who (though I have urged people to give him a fair crack when played) has still to prove his fitness and confidence are still there. You could have three players that freeze or make daft errors if things get tough. Many of us have seen these young lads do well at reserve level but not all young lads can make an instant impact. To throw a bunch of them all at once into a backline with 3 debutants and 2 players with a poor recent injury record or one with 2 debutants and 3 with injury/ confidence worries is a bit too risky.

If things go awry then it takes too much rearranging with so many risky selections. I think something along the lines of Mother Feka's selection (not specifically those 17) with 3/4 players with no/very few previous appearances (possibly to include Pryce) in with an experienced 13/14 men and where the new blood is distributed more evenly through forwards and backs.

Feka also limped off, so he could be missing next week.

I guess we will just have to agree to disagree on this one mate.

If we put out our first choice side we’d realistically be touching 80-90 points against them.

Taking away five first team starters in Locker, Sam, Joel, Gleeson and Pat shouldn’t reduce that winning margin to a point were Sheffield can win this one.

I’d still be happy to go for the original team I suggested but I guess we could drop a match winner like Joel or Sam on the bench as an insurance.

Ben Davies is on loan at Widnes, so to bring him back we would have to cancel his loan deal. Would Maguire want to do that for one game? It's not like a dual-registration where he could go straight back into the Widnes side the week after when, realistically even if he had a stormer v Sheffield, he would not be required for Wigan?

Leave him where he is, he's getting valuable first-team experience on a regular basis, something we can't provide him at the moment! We have got enough props to go with for next week!

Fully agree.

Fielden rested today.
Fielden to play 40 mins versus Sheff with Coley rested.
Both fresh for Quins in 2 weeks.

Maybe a combination of disappointment in seeing us lose too many games that we should have won on paper in the last few years and of seeing players brought back from injury only to limp off during their comeback is making me want to err on the side of caution a bit too much.

I would prefer to see any new blood distributed more evenly through the squad though. Those being maybe a couple of backs and one/two forwards starting with one on the bench.

If people are fit play them, is not dont risk them

Lets keep the momentum going resting too many sometimes works against you the week after

Saying that there are a number of player either injured or playing with knocks..i can think of at least 8

I cant see us having much problems at sheffield as they got beat at home 40-16 by fev

:1sz637ew
Slouch

I'd be massively surprised if you could name one SL player who epitomises slouch more than Pryce.

Is he not on duel registration if so he can play for both clubs its only if he go's out on loan to another club like Ainscough his contract would be canceled.

Plus i think even where a loan deal for a full season is done you can bring players back for none SL games.

You will be feeling the wrath of Rogues now

thats sooooooo true

Last year in the cup they only lost 24-34 at Hull KR, with Rovers getting a try in the last minute. So I would suggest they aren't treated too lightly.

They are struggling a bit this season though. Speaking to a lad from Sheffield i know he reckons our 1st team would stick 100 on em

Please bring your youth team! We are very poor at the moment!

Our reserve team almost beat Leigh. Put them to shame really.

Our reserve team plus a couple of four youngest first teamers would be a match for anyone in the championship. Infact they would probably win it.