Combination of both.

Wire don't have a decent kicking game out of their half backs.

Our line speed was incredibly worrying at times.

My biggest concern, and one that Leeds will exploit is that we're very poor on kick pressure.

If we allow Sinfield et al time, we'll find ourselves having to do ninety metres every set.

It was that Salford game that caused everyone to conclude that Dixon was a liability under the high ball (Judging by Tomato's taking of all the high balls after that it seems that this was Chester's conclusion as well), but within the other games Dixon had taken some unbelievable high balls under pressure and had ran them out making valuable metres ......If Dixon has a mare in the final we will lose, but if Dixon has a great game in the final then we could very well go on to win it ......And the same applies to Kelly ......If these two players perform on the day, we have a chance.

I'm more concerned about our two centres than catching bombs, they've both been poor defensively in recent weeks, Salter is normally a good defender but he's looked out of sorts for some reason. Luckily they'll only be up against two average centres at Leeds

Have been away and not seen much of recent games.
Allgood was our best forward before being injured so has to play. Tilse was good in all the cup games and though isn't spectacular by any means is very good technically and does his share.
Walker Puletua should play also. If Green brings some attitude then he could help us get on top. If he doesn't he'll amble about contributing little. Has he deserved it on recent performances?
Puletua to second row or loose man for me.
Larroyer to play to. Horne and McCarthy too with one of these on the bench with Boudebza who continues to inspire. I love Toulouse Leutrec.
Dixon every time at full back. Le#ds will be terrified of him on that big pitch.
Hope Albert makes it. Chisholm to centre...again haven't seen enough.
Salter is tedious with the ball. 17 tries in 75 games is poor for a back row forward never mind a centre. He gives his wingers nothing. Maybe 2 assists for Sio all year. Most of his tries are from kicks or cut out passes. Big opportunity though for Salter to defend well. Their centres are terrifying. Watkins is world class and getting better. Don't see him making a mistake or taking wrong options. Man of Steel this year.
I hope for rain. We pressured wire and Wigan in the wet and they fell apart. Maybe a downpour could bring us the cup.
Can't wait for this.
Wish everyone a good trip and a great game.
Let's raise the roof off the place!

After the Widnes game today during which we displayed the sort of defensive intensity, resolve and spirit we will need again next week, here is my controversial starting 17 for Wembley:

Dixon
Mantellato
Welham
Salter
Sio
Blair
Kelly
Walker
Lunt
Tilse
McCarthy
Larroyer
Puletua

Allgood
Green
Horne
Boudebza

Something like for me. Maybe Allgood to start and Tilse to come on to counter Leuluai.
Maybe Blair to second row and Chisolm at half back. If he is in the 17 that maybe to cover Albert if he isn't 100%.
We worry about Dixon under the bomb but Briscoe is atrocious. Kicking for Mantellato over him will bring us points.

I wouldn't have Puletua at Loose man though!

Jism shouldn't be anywhere near the seventeen even if Kelly doesn't make it.

From Pickering Red's team, I'd leave the backs as they are, and go Walker, Lunt, Tilse, Larroyer, Horne, McCarthy in the pack, interchange of Puletua, Boudebza, Allgood and Green.

It's essential that our kicking game is top notch, we need to be turning Leeds's pack at the end of every set and making them start in their ten/twenty.

Could anyone imagine Marsh Partnering Kelly in the halves? What a stage to announce yourself. Won't happen obviously. But he had a decent game in atrocious conditions today.

No, he's shown promise, but he's not an out and out obvious super star.

I would however put him on the bench over Chisholm if we have concerns that Kelly won't be able to play the eighty.

I'm concerned that we played Cockayne at full back today,I think we should have gone with Dixon (although we did switch him there in the second half), Dixon has to play on the vast space of Wembley.

Such a shame for us and Campese that he can't play.

Dixon
Mantellato
Welham
Salter (I dont rate him but im not sure if playing Cockayne there would be better)
Sio

Blair
Kelly/Chisholm (depends on Kelly being fit)

Walker
Lunt
Allgood
Horne
Larroyer
McCarthy

Boudebza
Green
Puletua
Donaldson


Tough to pick the forwards!

I wouldn't put Chisholm in he hasn't done anything to be included to me

Why do so many people think the Wembley pitch is bigger than all the other pitches. Its actually 3 yards narrower than the KC stadium pitch.

If Kelly doesn't play I think Chisholm is in, if Kelly plays, I dont think we'll see Chisholm play

I'm presuming kelly will play obviously

Which would mean Blair at 6, when we need him at LSR. Chisholm is quick, he might be just the answer to play alongside Kelly.

He's also rubbish and completely devoid of ideas.

Matty Marsh played him off the park today, apart from a break away interception against Leigh, he's shown and done nothing.

Chester's got headaches in a number of positions, but the first 2 names he would like on that team sheet are Campese and Kelly. Hopefully we can get one of them on the pitch come the weekend.

FB - Cockayne will likely get the nod after starting the last 2 games there. Would prefer Dixon for the pace and Xfactor he provides, but I can see the arguments for and against on both

Backline - Mantellato, Welham, Salter, Sio - Unless there is a last minute injury it picks itself

Halves - If Kelly is fit he must play, but if only partially fit we will likely need to either carry Marsh/Chisholm on the bench or play one from the start and shift Blair to the backrow. To be positive I assume fit so Kelly and Blair

Props - Walker, Puletua, Allgood and Tilse - Green to miss out for me, he maybe does a little more than Tilse with the ball, but defensively isn't as good. After watching Tilse in the Warrington and Wigan cup games he put his body on the line enough to deserve the last bench spot

Hooker - Lunt and Boudebza - John provides enough energy and impact to warrant a bench spot.

Backrow - Horne, Larroyer and McCarthy - Bench spot for Donaldson - Again like Boudebza I like the energy off the bench.

Pretty much disagree with all that but then again we don't pick the team

Would go with cockayne at full back and leave boudebza out and put tilse on the bench.Donaldson would be good cover for lunt if needed,otherwise agree.Tough on dixon and boudebza but tough on whoever is left out.

If one person for me deserves a Wembley spot then it's French John, The guys worked so hard all year, First season in a fulltime enviroment and revelled in it. The guys only going to get better and has worked his socks off everytime he's been called upon.

I assume you not keen on Tilse and Donaldson, but to disagree with picking the majority of our starting 17 seems a little unfair.

Come on it's Wembley week cut me some slack!

Totally agree and IMO we always seem a lot better going forward when he plays. He has to be in the 17 for me.

Dixon or Cockayne (60/40 on Dixon as has pace to burn and we will need it)
Sio
Salter
Welham
Mantallato
Blair
Kelly
Walker
Lunt
Puletua
Larroyer
Horne
Mccarthy

Bench
Boudebza
Allgood
Green
Tilse (If its the one who played against Wigan/Wire in the Cup) if not Donaldson

Glad its not down to me, but however plays they will have my support 100%



Cant wait, that excited even setting off Thursday night with the family!!!

there are some very hard decisions to make if we are as fit as we think we are.

Dixon / Cockayne
I thought Cockayne had a good game yesterday but for me Dixon is a match winner (and maybe loser) and if we are to win the cup we will have to set up to attack.

Boudebza / Lunt
Lunt is a quality and is a very good decision maker, Boudebza adds speed. I'd edge for Lunt but then that leaves

Boudebza / Cockayne on the bench
I'd got with BC, purely for his ability to cover an injury or two, especially if Kelly plays 80% and has to come off and then its a big shuffle.

If Kelly plays then Chisholm / Marsh / Blair to partner..
I think Chezzie will go with Blair but i personally prefer him in the pack and then go with Marsh at 6, he looked as good if not better than Chisholm yesterday.

The props is any 4 from about 8, TP is in, AW is in, I think Tilse will be in and then that leaves Green and Allgood for the other spot, can't call it myself.