Could be wrong but I think the only one he missed was Yeaman, and he only missed the last game

and Whiting - but what it means is that the whole backline have not played (probably all season) together. Just before those last five games we had Berrigan out, King with an eye injury, Dowes, Cusack, Thackray - you name 'em they've been injured. That means all of our first-string front row have been injured. We've had injuries to Manu, G Horne, Burnett (there goes the second row) and injuries to Washy and Whiting (no surprise that he keeps playing Radford at loose man - he's consistently available, even if that's his only ability in the 13 position. I would be surprised if players have completely regained full match fitness since their injuries. Don't foget from the backline you've lost Byrne for good, Briscoe for most of the season and Tony for most of the season (perhaps also for good). Need I go on? I think it's had, and is still having a siginificant effect. Oh - did I mention Lauaki not being available all season as well?

And of those 5, 4 were generally accepted amongst our best players last time out. In fact Calderwood is probably POTY so far (quite damning on the rest of the side when he's a winger not scoring prolifically).

TBH though, whilst your comments about the backline are correct, it's the pack that's been the biggest problem by far.

I normally agree with the point about being able to put out a settled side consistently, but in this case I think it falls down on 2 counts: Firstly, several of those who have been consistently available have also been consistently amongst our worst players. Secondly, it is quite apparent at our club that consistently picking these same players has resulted in no effort/performance being required/made for players to retain their place.

Although I think that the pack was consistently picked from the same players for the first five games (apart from King who I think was injured aginst Wigan or in training afterwards - can't remember) and that's when we did okay. Once Burnett and others started to get injured it really shook the team. I remember pundits talking about how big our pack was when all of us knew that they were not big - they were just bossing the opposition.

I thought Whiting had played in the last five, its just mainly from the bench?

I think the bigger problem was not injuries, more that the pack were playing too many minutes and it took it's toll once we were a few games into the season. We currently miss the Cusack and Dowes of the first few games, however we don't miss the Cusack and Dowes of the subsequent games they played prior to their injuries, as they were already looking jaded and ineffective. IMO, the damage was already done [ibefore[/i the injuries bit down in earnest, that just became a more convenient excuse.

I think you are correct.

Pretty sure he didn't play against Salford but, to be fair, it's not too important. I was trying to point out that as backlines score tries it would be good if we had one. Packs create the groundwork and we've been lucky to field a consistent pack as well.

I know I'm one of very few who still give the injury excuse any credibility but I'm a sucker for a sob-story.

Radfords pathetic "I can count the injuries they've had on one hand" comment in the HDM shows you a measure of the excuse culture.

But he is always fit....

Its just one pathetic excuse we like to adopt. Add that to the 'its not my squad' excuse and we look pi*s poor really.

He's rarely injured, but he's far from fit!

When I look at this side on paper it looks like a decent side and how anyone can say that a rovers win is a certainty is beyond me. I think it will be a really tight game and I wouldn't put money on either team. Yes FC have had a disappoiting season so far but the form book goes out of the window at every derby. I do think FC are light in the props though and this may be the difference. Radford and Cordoba will have to be on top of their game I think. Hope not though

Perhaps because we have been watching the team play week in week out since February and "the game isn't played on paper".


With our 4 first choice props unavailable, it's hardly rocket science to work that one out.

Yeah thanks for that. But I still think it will be a close game.

Can I just state this now, that Agar WILL NOT play Whiting at loose man. Never ever.

Has he ever not played a second rower there?

Washbrook

id rather play king at 7 than thorman....

I did't mean "attractive"

When? As far as I can remember, whenever Washbrook was fit he's been either at Stand-Off or on the bench.
The only Loose-Forwards that have started for us under Agar have been Radford and Tickle, but Lee has played there during the game when interchanged.

As has Berrigan

I thought he had, but I wasn't sure so I didn't put him.
For me, the fact that he's played Berro and Lee there was more down to injuries and not having enough forwards on the bench.

Is the paper bag in the 17 today ???

Correct.