We are getting 14-16 start with the bookies. Sad thing is I wouldn't be confident with that. If it's not close I can see them hammering us.
Apart from Shenton they are much more settled than us and I think that will make the difference.

And yes if they both play Solomona will be opposite Johnstone.

All young players hit highs and lows when they're coming through, Burgess, manfredi,and Williams all got dropped when their form went and we're then taken out for a spell. Mark applegarth played under john harbin i think I'm right in saying he made nearly 50 tackles in the first 3 games then his form slowly went 30 20 and he went into the low teens so youngsters have to be managed properly. Johnstone has been put to the sword against cas in every game hes played even though he scored a few at m m. To me the kid looks athletic with good pace and balance but looks like a manufactured player who hasn't got the awreness from being a youngster. Saying that most players are now robots.Johnstone can tackle if they run at him but if you watch where he stands in defence has all over the place. With all the videos and tv coverage players get studied can they move to tackle to the left the right how long it takes to get up. Players get worked out and at the moment teams no that if they can keep him under pressure his concentration will go. In pre season he played in the right v solamona didn't he play left last week. He probably will get taken out before long then put back in.

Bang on mate
I don't know if it's because we've had a few difficult years but, some "fans" just want a scapegoat and have no thought about what they are actually saying.
We are called supporters because we support our team but, far to many folk just want to bag players when they make a mistake (or even when they don't)
The whole team will find there work a lot easier if they think the fans are behind them.

We need to get to Cas in good number, support the 17 players who get selected and hope we can get a result.
It's a big ask and we may get beaten but, lets support the boys !

You need to expand on your vocabulary.

Am I being stalked



I think there is far worse repetition from other posters but I'll work on it.

True but we did relegate you once and put the final nail in the coffin the other time.

Your not right good at this are you, never said it was the millennium did I.

I wasn't gonna bring it up as people in glass houses etc but you made me - there is a lesson for you there.

You take pedantic to new levels. Back on topic, +14 Sunday, you must fancy that?

Not really, you just seem to assume a lot especially now you're quite good.

I don't assume anything when it comes to Cas. Level headed enough to know that a few bad months , a fall out of people in high places and we could easily be looking down the barrel of a gun.

Looking at the squad named to play dewsbury reserves on Saturday there is not going to be any changes to the side for cas.

Wildcats Select XIII Squad:

Chris Annakin

James Batchelor

Chris Brown

Joe Capless

Jordan Crowther

Ronan Dixon

Scott Flemming

Aaron Gledhill

Craig Hall

Max Jowitt

Lee Kershaw

George Lord

Dan Maskill

Judah Mazive

Tom Megretton

Fraser Morris

Brad Moules

Richard Owen

Ben Shulver

Mickael Simon

Jordan Tansey

Anthony Walker

Andy Yates

Depends what side he plays on. Either Webster and Solomona or Crooks and Monaghan.

Sounds a fair appraisal. Few players enter first team rugby the finished article and Johnstone is no exception, it's down to the coach as to when the time is right as he's probably the only one close enough to know.

Interesting comment about manufactured players - I've long been of the belief that players who start young have an edge. That said I can't see why it should be so difficult to rectify this with intensive coaching? Surely we have access to a quality ex winger who could give some one on one training or does it not work lie that? Honest question.

Get Bill Tupou on the side with Webster and Solomona, otherwise Johnstone is going to have a rough time!

Here's an idea right outside the box. How about giving Johnstone some passes when we've got the ball. Make him a threat rather than a liability.

Didn't Tupou play inside him in the pre season game ?

I'm not sure to be honest. First time in years I haven't been to any pre-season games.

Spot on Wollo,been screaming the same out all pre season games.

Problem is he plays side of a centre who cant or wont pass

No he played on right wing with Gibson as his centre, against Widnes he played on left wing outside Tupou

It sounds like Tom Johnstone got the winning try today in the reserves match. That rules him out for the 1st team on Sunday surely ?

Craig hall played on the other wing as well. Simon went well and Richie Owen scored a couple of tries but we didn't break any pots against an enthusiastic dewsbury team. Gave too much ball away

Your team looks much more balanced than last year I just think you're a few weeks away from really gelling just yet.

I'd like to think this is a game we should win but I'd have said that last year as well....

A lot depends on the back lines. I think our pack will edge yours but our backs were wasteful last week and Wakefield will come with more intensity than hull kr did.

As an outsider looking in, I really rate Johnstone but he does appear to be a confidence player.

He did the absolutely correct thing throwing that pass last week and it wasn't a "bad" one - granted it wasn't on the button either.

You would hope that if he is in the same situation again, that he would still throw that pass because it could've won you the game - like I say as a young lad you don't want it to affect his confidence and decision making because he does appear to be a great prospect.

Solomona skinned him a couple of times in the friendly but, I can't see that really mattering.

I think our squad is a little stronger in the middle this week but it's how we deal with missing Shenton. Can't really judge our performance last week cause the conditions were horrific so this really feels like the opener in my mind.

I can see it being close, obviously a cas win



Enjoy the game - and good to see everyone again! Not been on for quite a while!

Think the team may now be...

1.B.Jones-Bishop,
2.A.Gibson
3.J.Arundel
4.B.Tupou
5.R.Lynne
6.J.Miller
7.L.Finn
8.N.Scruton
9.S.Howarth
10.A.England
11.M.Ashurst
12.D.Kirmond
13.T.Arona

Subs. A.Tupou,Molloy, Sio, Anderson

Forget Annakin ,Hall and Tansey,all played today.

God

how late am I

,sorry carry on