Think it's largely pointless us speculating on here whether it's best or not to chuck Crooks into a derby at this stage, it's him and Gentle who'll know. He may find it an intimidating prospect, or conversely he might be champing at the bit to play in a game like that. I trust that if he's ready he'll be given the chance, but if he's missing from the team sheet it's come too early in the fixture list for him and was the right call.

One thing I am curious about is Bowden falling out of the running in recent weeks, is there any particular reason for it does anyone know? Seems we're going with extra backrowers (i.e. Aspinwall and Kent) stepping up to cover O'Meley instead.

Think we'll go with Martin instead of Crooks. Not sure what I'd do personally, each option has strengths and weaknesses.

I agree with K-Diddy. Ben Crooks did ok against Leeds & unless he is played in certain matches like this Saturday's game, we will not know whether he will be able to cope or not. Both Turner & Crooks are young & fit, so give them a go. I do not think they will let us down.

It's not really the same thing though, IMO. Look at Garry Schofield, he's never been one with self-confidence issues and took big games in his stride, yet he's openly admitted in the past that he was terrified when he went onto the pitch for a derby and actively tried to avoid taking possession for the first 20 minutes in case he got belted.

wasn't he ill or injured up until the Leeds game? Imagine if he's had a cold or other bug he could take a couple of weeks to get back to 100%

That's only true to a point. You can't know for certain if a player is ready until they are thrown in, but sometimes you can see that they aren't, IMO.

I remember him being ill for the Hudds games, but he then played against Wigan. He was left out for Leeds, which I assumed was because of O'Meley and O'Carroll both coming back from injury, but he's not even made a 19 since with O'Meley out again. Maybe you're right and he's still not 100% yet but had to play against Wigan because we didn't have enough other options.

I thought bowden was injured

Played in the 20s against London, maybe his first game back?

No , I would also.

me three, he's the future, needs to be shown confidence.

I think we'll basically have the same 17, but with Martin replacing Whiting. So it'll be Horne at 6 with Martin on the bench, and as and when required Turner can always move up and play back-row, as was the plan for him this season anyway I reckon.

I thought everyone was saying Manu was definately out

Hardly anyone said that. The thread about him only got 6 replies.

timelyboosttastic.

Gentle has revealed he has some injury concerns for the game at the Etihad Stadium, but stopped short of naming which of his players are a concern.

"We have a few concerns over some of the guys that played at London, but at this moment we haven't lost anyone for the game," said Gentle.

"We are monitoring the players and I am hoping they will be ok, but there are a couple of concerns there for us. It's probably no more than a normal week, though, so we'll wait and see on those."


Playing cards close to the chest. Either keeping Manu's injury quiet or it's a double bluff to get Sandydongs hopes up??

We're doomed anyway, Cookey's tipped us to win

Would play Martin instead of Crooks. Whoever said Martin can't defend don't know what they're talking about, I would argue it's the best asset to his game. Crooks has played in the last 3 games, had a good taste of what to expect now. Saturday will be a big pressure game at high intensity, what Martin is used to. I'm all for developing young players, but the team's results must come first.

And Milward. FFS.

I would say the League game against L**ds had more pressure and intensity than any team from shanty town.

I wouldn't. Leeds is a massive game, but no where near the pressure and intensity of our derby. IMHO.

I'd have Crooks in ahead of Martin. I think Welhams pace would cause Martin problems, whereas I can't say the same for Martin. We should have Turner on the right and leave Crooks on the left, he deserves to keep his place. I'd be really disappointed to see Martin start at right centre.

just don't have a good feeling about this one, never try to get too hyped up about derbies, but can't see us getting the points. Rovers are brimming with confidence after their drubbing of Cas and we'll be shaky after London

When was the last time he played a game of the intensity of that Leeds game? Since 2008 he's played for Wakefield and Crusaders, hardly week in week out top class rugby is it? He's played more games than Crooks, but has less tries, less try assists and less clean breaks. Crooks has shown himself to be more than capable in defence, and is improving week on week.

I'll be really disappointed if he's dropped.

I think far too much is being made of Rovers big win, they beat a Cas side without their two best players (Chase and Orr) at home, even though it was a big score I fail to see how this result suddenly makes us the underdog.