I can't see Lawler recovering from a broken leg and dislocated ankle but I suppose we'll find out come kick off

it's not an event, it's just a 2 point game

What planet are you on? I’m pretty sure everyone is well aware it’s a two point game but like it or not, the fans, players and media are more invested in these derby games. It’s the same in all sports and it won’t change.

Derbies are more than a 2 point game they mean more to fans than other regular games or they wouldn't draw the best crowds the world over at various sports take a look at derby days on YouTube and tell me they don't mean anything

totally agree, always want to win the derby

She the derby definitely means more than a game against Widnes, Salford, Wakey, Huddersfield, etc. I think I'm at a point now where I'd rather beat Leeds away than Rovers away.

I don't watch rugby matches because they are worth league points. I watch because they make me feel passion and pride and shame and joy. These emotions are heightened in derby games. Of course I look forward to winning at Old Trafford and every win gets us closer to achieving that. But that is a distant goal whereas getting one over our neighbours is here and now.

If it was just another game, then the attendance would be somewhere in the region of 11-12K.

Not sure its a game that I get a kick out of if we win, but its the game I get annoyed about most if we lose.

Ever since the first derby I went to in 1982, its the game you looked out for when the fixtures were releases.

Yes, its 2 points, like all other games, but there is a buzz about the derby which no other game can generate.

regardless of who we are playing this week we need to start winning games away from the KC again, we've only won 1 of our last 8 away matches (including Aus), that being against an under strength castleford in the super 8s last year

That's terrible. Yet another factor in Rovers favour.

What's the other factors

Home advantage obviously
Timely boosts of Lunt et al returning
Best coach in the comp vs “pub landlord”
Much better form over last couple of games
Minns confirming you’re galvanised and ripping in

That’ll do for starters.

Stat from Radford in the HDM about our response to conceding a try - in 6 out of 7 games we’ve conceded another within 5 minutes. Not good.

If we can't beat that lot with the team we have we may as well give up .The only thing that will beat FC on friday is attitude, get that right and its a comfortable win , get it wrong and its a narrow but embarrassing win for the dobbins.

Not been big headed but regardless of who they have in there squad if we play well we win simple as that IMO.

Big Head

been too to many derbies where both teams have gone in fav and had there arris kicked, yea where slight fav but its on there patch and there havnt beat us in ages, its a big game for them and beating us would be massive, saying that am hoping for 2 points but imo it will be close,

Rovers are Evens with 8 start - if we lose this are we worse than the 2016 side that had a terrible start, 6pts by the derby, but actually won this game 22-20.
If we lose then that's worse than 2016 and at that time I truly believe Radford was gone if we hadn't won that game.
Let's hope again we win and finish higher than 2016.

We SHOULD win, both on paper and circumstance. However, I've been an FC fan long enough to know that these are the games we usually go on to get spanked in. Can't wait!

Also seem vulnerable just before half time

Hadley out for four to six weeks.

Yeah just seen that. Been great this season

been our most consistent player imo, big blow, but hopefully just the 4 weeks

Anything can happen on Friday, thats just derbys for you. Im going there expecting a narrrow win for us but .....

IF we lose then this would be a worse start then 2016 after the players had a lock in
No G Ellis this season though
I’m genuinely worried - Rovers had a 100% completion record in a wet cold 1st half v Giants
That is beyond impressive
We haven’t beaten a decent side yet
We have to win and I hope we do, put $ on it !