I would like to see Ellis get an extended run in the 1st team but not sure if I would have Wood, Ellis, Johns, Aiton and Smith all in together. It's a tough call because we do have a good squad, we just need to find the right mix and balance.
I would also like to see the other fringe members of a 1st team squad getting a run at some point, certainly if we lose this weekend, see if they bring something to the team thats been missing. Surely thats the whole point of the squad if things are not going right, Wildie Cowling, Slater, Annakin have all been going strong in the reserves.

His head has, his body remains (apparently).

Massive, must win game for us aswell. I think we have more than enough to come away with the 2 points, we've shown some good stuff so far this year and can score plenty of points. Our defence on the other hand has been very poor at times. So I guess it depends on which Salford turn up!

You could almost be RA with that team selection?

Nay London had a poor defensive record till we met them (on the telly) we didn't even look like scoring.

I agree with your philosophy on team selection and I am sure that team is more than capable of performing as good as if not better than some of the other 'selections' we have fielded this season.

However what stands out to me is your obvious lack of faith in our overseas imports. Most of them are on long term contracts and they are also taking a huge chunk of our salary spend. For this reason alone I am sure if all fit they will all be selected.

Mathers
Fox
Walshaw
Sykes
Cockayne
Wood
Smith
Amor
Ellis
Raleigh
Kirmond
Washbrook
Aiton

Wilkes
James
Slater
John

What we need on Saturday is effort for 80 minutes! The team have shown in the games against Hull KR, Bradford and Catalans, that they have the quality to attack and score points. For some reason holes appear in the defence, we concede points and heads drop.
If the team cannot raise enough enthusiasm to get a win on Saturday then the season does indeed look bleak!

You seem very protective of the club at the moment and whilst there's nowt wrong with it (I should know) you have to accept that things are not going well and any opportunity to freshen things up should at least be considered.

On the Wildie thing - that's a bit of a silly argument really. The lad played 17 times last year - more than any of this years crop have so far - and the only reason we aren't seeing him is that the coach isn't picking him. Give him a chance - he is doing what you want all players to do which is to perform in the reserves and work his way up to an opportunity.

On the Ellis thing - he was one of Quins best players last season, does that not carry any respect at all?

I'd like to see more composure when we do get on their line! We dont have to score on every tackle!

I'd go with this. You could probably swap John for Smith if you was that way inclined. I would be worried about having a backrow thats too small early on in whats likely to be wet, heavy conditions so i've gone for Johnson in the second row with Washbrook to come off the bench.

Mathers
Fox
Sykes
Walshaw
Cockayne
John
Wood
Amor
Ellis
Raleigh
Kirmond
Johnson
Aiton

Wilkes
James
Washbrook
Wildie

Spot on Jesper, Raleigh was trying too hard in the early stages of the Leeds game, looking for too many offloads ann in the 2nd half Smith was flashing some balls out to the right wing and assuming that Fox would collect and score. unfortunately he never looked where he was passing and at least 2 tries went begging.
As you say, composure !

Oops, never realised with the forwards on the bench


Ellis in place of James/ Trout



Forgot about Kirmond too! - Kirmond in for Walshaw

I'm ok with being protective of the club, but I think I am being that way because the criticism is in my opinion too far the other way, with no real foundation. So I simply want to make sure the other voice is heard.

Wildie I can see your point but Ellis I can't.
For whatever reason he has not been playing this year. His form last year doesn't help him if he isn't showing it now. Of course playing him would give us a chance to see him, but not at the expense of a player that is performing now.
There is too much, give the guys a chance who haven't played yet, just because they haven't played. If they are good enough, get them in yes, but not just because we haven't seen them play badly.

I like the look of this, but for me personally I would rather Cowling for Walshaw as I just feel he has a better skill set and has more speed and agility and is equally as good in defence, Walshaw does have good size though. I would also prefer Johnson to James, just better all round and a bigger engine.

Mathers
Fox
Collis
Sykes
Cockayne
Smith
Wood
Amor
Aiton
Raleigh
Kirmond
Walshaw
Washbrook

Ellis
Wilkes
Johnson
Mariano

I think some of the frustration is that some of our players have not yet performed but keep getting picked anyway. I get that the coach wants them to spend time together, but we must remember that we have a squad of more than 17 or 18 players and whilst we want to keep the top ones happy, we must look after and keep hungry the players between 19 and 25 expecially.

It is possible to turn a good player into a bad one if they aren't getting any gametime!

I agree with the last bit. Agar has obviously appreciated this with James, making sure he was playing when not picked. Not sure why not Ellis. I was looking forward to seeing him as well after last years performances but there must be a reason.
I'm certainly happy with Aiton and Wood. If it wasn't for the possibility of Wood playing in the half backs I wouldn't see any reason to move either from their position, which reflects unfortunately on Ellis.

Seen as the first time didn't go too well - I'll try again!


1. Mathers
2. Fox
3. Sykes
4. Mellars
5. Cockayne

6. John
7. Smith

8. Amor
9. Wood
10. Raleigh
11. Kirmond
12. Washbrook / Aiton
13. Aiton / Washbrook

14. Walshaw
15. Wilkes
16. Johnson
17. Ellis

asmadasa wrote:Come on Trinity! Show the form that was shown against Catalan!
Think the team possibly should be:-

1. Mathers
2. Fox
3. Collis
4. Sykes
5. Cockayne
6. Wood
7. Smith
8. Wilkes
9. Aiton
10. Amor
11. Kirmond
12. Walshaw
13. Washbrook

Subs. Raleigh, Southern, James/Mariano & Ellis.

Think we need to pack the bench with forwards to ensure there is a consistent platform being built for the backs.If there is a need to replace a back then Washbrook/Kirmond/Walshaw can move over and do a job. If Southern is injured then bring in Johnson who scored twice in the reserves. Come on Trinity perform for 80 minutes!




Thanks. I agree we need to concentrate on the pack and have some size & sustained aggression. Along with Wood have a full 80 mins and leaving out Mellars & John who are off form. Southern on bench for his tackling ability.

Southern's out for two weeks.

How do you know?

Bet he tweets!

Nick Rigg tweeted it earlier

With no relegation we could end up with a long series of dead rubbers in the near future. If you're not challenging for the 8 where is the excitement going to come from? Now I'm not saying I expected us to get into the 8 but I'd hope we still had an interest in it with say half a season left.