Agreed. I could see us slipping up against one or two of Toulouse (away), Sheffield, Bradford (hope it's the league not the 1895 cup), or even a Cumbrian team away. But it'll be a combination of injuries, complacency, cup final hangover, and the opposition having a blinder.

The difference this year is going to be the route to Super League.
In previous years, when it was close at the tail end of the season, teams started bringing in bigger names for short term stints just to get them to the GF.
This year with the exception of us and Toulouse, it isn't going to happen whether they win it or not, so when injuries kick in, teams will simply do their best with what they have, which will make it easier for teams like us with a bigger squad or teams that are lucky with injuries.

Time will tell how it works out.

Sheffield look the most impressive opposition so far. Fev gave us a game but the lack of depth is really showing at the minute.

Must admit, Widnes starting 3/3 has surprised me but that's more because I thought they'd struggle this season rather than beating the opposition they have.

York look troubled at the moment and I'm not entirely sure why with the players they have available to them

Sheffield's team isn't that different to the one they have had over the last couple of years, I'm not convinced that they have improved that much but might be a top 3 team by default because so many others have regressed.

Depth is indeed an issue at Fev but we were without Springer, Tanner, Bussey, Day and Massey yesterday. If you took (say) Atoni, Bowden, Pitts, Vagana and Uele out of Wakefield's line-up it would certainly have some impact.

York seem to have had a lot of ex-SL signings that haven't worked out for some reason (as have other clubs to be fair), with Lineham now looking a "typical" York signing of a player whose best days are some way behind him.

Sheffield are good, and I did find it weird they weren't being taken as seriously as Bradford or Fev at the beginning of the season. They have a real good balance with experienced-but-not-over-the-hill players like Welham and Dawson-Jones, with a really well drilled pack - Titus Gwaze being their standout player IMO. But they also have loads of depth - they have 4 halves to choose from in Aston, Thackeray, Hansen and Farrell - so they'll be there or thereabouts at the end of the season. However, player for player they're nowhere near as strong as us. Really looking forward to going to their spot in a few weeks' time. If we play well, they'll stick with us for 50 mins then fall away.

Having been to a couple of games at the Olympic legacy park, I'm not sure how they could accommodate 1500 wakey fans

Good point. I’m not sure if they can use the bank opposite the stand. If not it’s just the main stand which only holds about 1,000, and the spaces behind the posts, which I reckon you could get 300 in if they have the staff. Should be their first sell out there

As far as I’m aware, no they can’t, and last time I was there I tried standing next to the perimeter fence on that side and was told I had to move round to the other side and either sit in the stand or stand next to the pitch behind either of the goals at pitch level

Better get the tickets early then

I hope not but I can really see Fev dropping off this year. The finance arm being removed with Campbell's problems, two losses on the board already, players rumoured to be leaving the club with a squad that's already lacking in depth.

Potentially troubling times for them, their fanbase is already dropping off.

They could accomodate that number in theory if they allow access to all areas, but the banks on the touchline opposite the stand and also behind the posts at the far end are quite steep and thus quite uncomfortable to stand on for any length of time (ok to sit on if dry) - people tend to congregate at the bottom of the slope or the top as a result.

When they played Batley in their latest home game they closed most of the areas off where the banks are (basically half the perimeter of the ground) but they surely won't be able to do that because there just won't be enough space.

I'm slightly surprised that more people haven't tried wandering up on the hill that directly overlooks the ground and getting a birds-eye view for free!

Which players have you heard are rumoured to be leaving the club?

McKenzie Yei was the first rumour, I believe he's been confirmed as a departing player now. Caleb Aekins and Gadwin Springer were the other two, not seen anything since though.

Yei was confirmed as leaving by the club a few days ago and I don't think anyone was surprised by that as he has struggled mightily with his rehab since his knee injury last season.

I'd like to know where you read these "rumours" about Springer and Aekins as I've seen and heard nothing relating to either.

Ben Reynolds back in the Fev squad to face Doncaster

Tolouse lost to Bradford. They’ve had a poor start to season.

Be good to pan them in a couple of weeks at Belle vue.

Championship
Tries
1. Lachlan Walmsley (Wakefield Trinity) – 8
2. Josh Griffin (Wakefield Trinity) – 4
= Luke Gale (Wakefield Trinity) – 4
= Connor Jones (Featherstone Rovers) – 4
= Matty Fozard (Widnes Vikings ) – 4
= Rhodri Lloyd (Widnes Vikings) – 4
= Kieran Gill (Bradford Bulls) – 4

Goals (including drops)
1. Max Jowitt (Wakefield Trinity) – 22
2. Tom Gilmore (Widnes Vikings) – 20
3. Jordan Lilley (Bradford Bulls) – 17
= Cory Aston (Sheffield Eagles) – 17
5. Connor Robinson (Doncaster) – 11
= Jake Carter (Whitehaven) – 11

Points
1. Max Jowitt (Wakefield Trinity) – 56
2. Cory Aston (Sheffield Eagles) – 46
3. Tom Gilmore (Widnes Vikings) – 44
4. Lachlan Walmsley (Wakefield Trinity) – 32
= Jordan Lilley (Bradford Bulls) – 32
= Louis Jouffret (Halifax Panthers) – 32

Which means Max Jowitt has scored more points so far this season than York and Swintonicon_smile.gif

Not looking good for Halifax.

Sheffield could be going top on points difference at this rate.

Clearly they're are a well oiled attacking unit, our attack is spluttering a tad. Should be a tough contest.

We stay top by scoring two more points than them

Dale Ferguson has resigned as head coach of the Dewsbury Rams. He has been replaced by his assistant Paul March until the end of the season

Myles Lawford, Isaac Shaw, and Joe Law are all playing today on DR for Hunslet versus Keighley. Tough game for the Hawks against a Cougars side looking for a seventh win.

The game is live on The Sportsman ko 3pm

Tough job for Law facing Sau and he’s found it tough. Would like to see Lawford get more on the ball as a lot of the play seems to be going to Hunslet regular half.

Law managed to score a try though, Hunslet winning 26-18 with 5 mins left to play.