So, moving on to Leeds Rhinos away on Friday.

Based on the first 3 games against top 4 opposition what are everyone’s predictions, starting line ups and what would you like to see?

In my opinion, I believe only minimal changes from last week is the way forwards.

I would go with:

Kay
Taufua
Gaskell
Langi
Kershaw
Smith
Lino
Whitbread
Hood
Atoni
Ashurst
Pitts
Crowther

Proctor
Battye
Eseh
Bowes? If he’s fit.

Just a few tweaks moving Smith into halves and Gaskell into centre.

Keep the defence working hard like last week and a bit of work on our attacking plays in the oppositions 20/30 and we could come away with some points.

I like the team but Bowes is the issue.
If he isn't fit then you have to move Smith and Gaskill.
I guess Hall would come back if that were the case but I'd like to see Smith at 6.

I would too and your right that is the issue unless Crowther could start at 13 for 20 minutes and then do 20-30 at 9 with Proctor coming on at 13 and Hood back for final 20/25.

Just to add: our next 5 fixtures are….

Leeds
Salford
Hull kr
Saints
Castleford

This for me is the key part of our season. We need to be at least picking up 3 wins from this next 5. Though 4 would be nice.

These are the teams (other than saints) I would be dissapointed not to pick up the points. The hard work starts now.

Huge for both really in terms of momentum. Wakefield need to get points on the board with Leigh getting their first win. Wakefield always prove a bogey side for Leeds. We’re expecting to have Bentley, Lisone and Gannon back with possibly Newman also. Leeming out but Johnson should come in to replace him.

Worst comes to worst;
Myler; Fusitua Olpherts MacDonald Handley; Austin Sezer; Holroyd O’Connor Tetevano; McDonnell Martin; Smith.
Johnson Walters Sangare Gannon / Donaldson

Think it shows how bad we are when all teams picked have Gaskell in Will not make a lot of difference who play but would like to see team without Gaskell.

You could swap Hall in for Gaskell but Halls defence at Wigan was worrying. He would need a big performance.

Did he kick your cat or something?
He's not been perfect at 6 but he hasn't been that bad. I'd happily play him at centre. I don't think I've seen him have a bad game there.

On current form, which 3 (4) teams do you think we can take the 2 points from?

Disappointed if we don't take points from Salford, Hull KR and Cas. Slim chance with Leeds, Saints no chance.

Considering we have pushed Catalans and Hudds close who are top 4 I’d say Salford, KR and Cas with Leeds a possibility too.

We will see exactly how good we are by round 9. That will be a truer reflection of what we can expect for the season.

Every week where we still sit on 0 points it’s going to be a must win game. Don’t want to see Gaskell near the team sheet, and if we get nilled for the third week in a row than the Applegarth experiment has not worked.

It is not a Applegarth experiment to think that Gaskell was good enough to be given the 6 shirt after been in the first team Coaching staff last year .More like a disaster

If Trinity get nilled at Leeds it will be the first time we’ve been nilled 3 times in a row since 1904

Got a lot of respect for your post but you say he is ok in the .So why are we playing him at 6 And i have not got a cat lol .

You’re right PT he hasn’t been that bad but that does not disguise the fact that he isn’t good enough for SO
He’s too slow and a much better centre.
It’s a sad indication of the talent we have when he’s the preferred no 6.

Neither us nor Leeds have picked up any bans this week (fines for players from both teams only) but looking ahead Salford are reporting only 21 fit players and SKD could pick up a 5 match ban after their match against Leigh... https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/64862814

Neither us nor Leeds have picked up any bans this week (fines for players from both teams only) but looking ahead Salford are reporting only 21 fit players and SKD could pick up a 5 match ban after their match against Leigh... https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/64862814

I don't disagree at all.
I thought we were going to replace Miller with a decent player and cringed when I realised we were going to go with Gaskill but we are where we are.
I at least thought Smith would develop into a Miller but because of injuries he hasn't had chance yet.

Quote ="FIL"Neither us nor Leeds have picked up any bans this week (fines for players from both teams only) but looking ahead Salford are reporting only 21 fit players and SKD could pick up a 5 match ban after their match against Leigh... https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/64862814'" You mean like last week when Rowley said same. It’s a common theme with Salford. Though most of any injuries are actually their back up players. Just mind games with them.

Quote ="FIL"Neither us nor Leeds have picked up any bans this week (fines for players from both teams only) but looking ahead Salford are reporting only 21 fit players and SKD could pick up a 5 match ban after their match against Leigh... https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/64862814'" You mean like last week when Rowley said same. It’s a common theme with Salford. Though most of any injuries are actually their back up players. Just mind games with them.

So at least we are on the. same page .I cringed as well . Maybe I through that the way fans had raved about the new coach that I was going to see attacking rugby ,so maybe that is getting to me as well All been well will be at Leeds but if there is know improvement with ball in hand can not see me making many away games

Applegarth said he wanted to play attacking free flowing rugby but it had to be built on a solid defense.
I'm prepared to think the players are just getting used to the different style.

So we've played last seasons top sides so far, and will be there or there about’s this season, so apart from the blow out at Wigan we have been competitive and really upped the anti in defence against the mighty spending giants . Full back crocked , winger crocked which we certainly could have done without especially the fullback who is instrumental in our attacking prowess. Happy with how the wings went against the giants , defence was first class but the attack is woefully slow and predictable, and certainly not helped by the amount of unforced errors and penalties against us . We go again this Fri and looking forwards to building on a solid defensive platform , and hopefully some tries thrown into the mix , can’t wait , still gets me buzzing after all these years going to headingley and hoping to put one over on them .

Agree with all that KK.
There's nothing finer (for me) as a Wakey fan (although going to Cas runs it close) than going to Headingley and beating Dirty Leeds.

Fascinated that Gaskell is thought too slow by some at stand off, but quick enough at centre.
Most top class centres have plenty of pace, plus which there have been many halves not blessed with pace , but with plenty of guile.
Not saying Gaskell is the answer , but the logic is questionable.

Obviously the defence was better, but what did Hudds actually throw at us?! Their attack was as bad as ours! You would think Leeds will be full of it after their win at Saints, we're gonna have to find a way of actually threatening them with ball in hand, and after what we've dished up so far, it's gonna have to take a big leap forward.....