We keep discussing or commenting in different threads.
Might as well have one dedicated.

Season will have a very different feeling after Thursday, win or lose.

Had a quick look at the Castleford forum, they seem to be more optimistic of beating Trinity now, after the close defeat by Catalans and having home advantage, I agree with you, this could be the season defining game for us.

For me it depends whether the returning players are ready to go.
Need a massive game from Proctor. Atoni needs to be at his best and Hood needs to speed up our distribution.

Depends whether Proctor can squeeze us in between his sightseeing trips.

How dare he go somewhere else away from the club when we are not training.

Yeah that slightly tight hamstring he got 3 weeks ago certainly came at a good time for him, what with his kids and parents coming over at this point and all.

It's quite embarrassing that you even suggest they are connected.

Don’t what you mean. All i said that it’s dropped on lucky for him. If your thinking it’s something else thats your call.

Sure. OK.

Anyway i see Cas have also entered the loan market with Luis Johnson joining them. If they pick him instead of Kenny Edwards then that will negatively effect how many penalties and mid-set turnovers we get.

Lose this and I truly believe we are in the brown sticky stuff, if we aren’t already.

Very much so. Really we need to be beating Leigh at home the week after as well.

Listening to Applegarth he was bigging up that 6 players that would be back Thursday - Liam Hood, Renouf Atoni, Kevin Proctor, Lee Gaskell, Jorge Taufua and Sam Hewitt. Sounds like Kelepi & Bowden are the week after. Realistically how many of those 6 though are likely to actually get in? In my opinion...

Hood - Yep. Although talking to someone who went apparently Bowes was the most effective of the 3 hookers at Saints. Doubt Kay would be left out though.
Atoni - For me a maybe at best (and he certainly hasn't earned it) and a no if the rumoured Prop comes in this week
Proctor & Hewitt - Only one bench spot available for these two i reckon
Gaskell - Please no, stick with Smith
Taufua - No. Kershaw & Senior the wingers for me

Can't really see too many changes to be honest, 3 at tops. Enough to change around our fortunes? Really not sure.

If we were a serious club, Gaskell would’ve played his last SL game. The guy doesn’t cut it at this level anymore.

Couldn’t agree more.

Huddersfield fans told you that 2 years ago but you wouldn't listen

This game can’t really be understated. We need to go in full belt and it needs to be a 100% committed performance.

I hope Tanginoa is fit as he would be a huge boost as would Bowden.

I think it’s vitally important we get some continuity in the pivots so for me Smith/Lino to remain.
I personally hope we line up like this:

Dagger
Senior
Langi
Gaskell
Kershaw
Smith
Lino
Whitbread
Hood
Bowden
Tanginoa
Hewitt
Proctor

Crowther
Bowes
Eseh
Atoni

Think you’ll find some of us did listen.

This game has to be poop or bust for Applegarth, lose it and he has to go, win it and then who knows we may go on a bit of a run as we have in the past but I just cant see us winning.

Agree Shocked when he was given the 6 shirt ,glad when he can not play

I really understand the logic in saying that but the way the club is being managed at the top can you really see them spending on a decent coach. Plus you need to find someone who is prepared to take over this mess.

However if he is sacked the only real replacement I can see is Fordy stepping up , this being the cheapest option.

He should’ve gone after the Leeds game. So I can’t see him being sacked if we lose Thursday, the owners appointed
him because as always he was the cheap option.

Just thinking, anyone know what the record number of loan players are in a SL, we could possibly field 4 on Thursday

Yes if you can get rid of a quota player, but thats hypothetical for now. There is no one available instantly as far as I can see.

As it happens I don't think Lino and Smith are the problem, we are beaten in the pack so they have nothing to work on.

Yes I’m also not sure Lino and Smith are the main issue.

The forwards really need to step up big time and get us dominating teams. I also include edge forwards in this too I’m afraid.

I have a lot of respect for Ashurst and Pitts but they are very defensive edge forwards that offer little threat in attack and even less of a passing game drawing in players. They are solid performers every week and as I say defensively good but we are stunted somewhat in attack.

The forwards need to be the ones to really get the team firing and be putting us in good positions.

Eseh is going to be a very good prop forward and just needs another season or two under his belt that’s all. I’m happy for him to keep playing.

We need more from Atoni and for me he needs to be coming off the bench and focusing mostly on head down and driving that ball in as hard as possible and fighting for every meter. Forget the flashy stuff and link up plays. Good hard direct running and build from there.

With Mason joining I think my 4 props would be.

Whitbread
Bowden (Butler if Bowden isn’t fit)

Mason
Eseh

My comment re: edge forwards. I honestly would love to see this. Forward line up: it would change the whole dynamic of the team.

8. Whitbread
9. Hood
10. Bowden
11. Tanginoa
12. Proctor
13. Crowther

Let me make it clear though. I’m not slaying any of the trinity players. I want every one of the players to succeed.

We really just need to muscle up, dominate and fight though. The players must be hurting and the coach but it’s them alone that can fight to change the course of the season.