Possibly our biggest match of the season so far. We really need the two points here and it will be interesting to see what team we put out. As usual we will have a strong looking squad but who knows what they will produce? This season has really been strange but this match is the one to set us on the way for what could be a fantastic end of season. I'll tip us for a win by 16 points but i am in't Elland Craft & Tap supping Taylors Ram Tam 4.3% Mmm! Up The Fax!

If the team can't get up for this one after Widnes handed our asses to us earlier in the season then there is something wrong.

I would argue that there is something wrong whatever. This squad of players should never be languishing in 7th place in the division. Take away the cup run and I think you would find it hard to make a case that it's been a good season. There is, of course, time to change that drastically in the coming weeks. Up The Fax!

Lets not go there again. It will soon be over and we can see how we go with a fresh start next season and pretty much the same team, until then we just have to grin and bear it and talk about Wembley.

I'd agree with you, Hudd-Shay, if the squad had been settled from the start. But it seems to have been all over the place throughout the season, chopping and changing and all that.

Of course there's the failed trio Maher/Doro/King which hasn't helped. The mid season additions have been great, but Lannon has basically replaced Gwaze and O'Brien replaced Kyle Wood who was great off the bench last season but has totally lost his zip. Inman is a hooker too many and we've really missed the defensive qualities of Worthington and Arundel in the centres. So on top of losing the excellent Ed Barber, I suppose you could argue the squad has weakened from last season.

Widnes will be very tough - if they lose they'll be out of the running as they have Batley, London, Sheffield and Fev left so they'll be throwing everything at us. Not just about the 2 points but we need to show we can win when the chips are down. A nerve jangling Fax 22 Widnes 20.

Looking at the teams above us in the league and their last 5 games we need to win every game to make the top six.

I'd say probably 4/5.

Some games in the next few weeks ....

Batley play Sheffield , two points dropped there by one of those.
Bulls v Fev , two points lost by bulls
Wdnes v Batley , Batley win
Eagles v Cougars , anyones game
Bulls v York , anyones game
Broncos v Widnes , Home win
Broncos v Bulls , anyones game
Widnes v Sheffield, two for the Sparrows

etc,

What I mean is that lots of twists in this season yet

Agree, cowfax, many games left where our rivals are taking points off each other.

Only Fev and Toulouse certain for the top 6.

Even Batley, who looked nailed on a few weeks back, could trip up. They've lost 5 on the bounce and losing can become a habit. Plus it looks like they've lost Luke Hooley to the Whinos for the rest of the season. He's a class act (he ripped us apart in the 42-0 match) and it's no coincidence Batley got thrashed against the bullies and lost at lowly Keighley without him.

But I'd like to see Sheffield fail, I really cannot stand Aston! (Mark that is).

With the games that everyone still has to play I would hazard a guess at something like this:-

5/5 will likely get us 3rd position as I can't see Bradford winning more than 3/5
4/5 We are looking at 4th
3/5 Probably 6/7th but relying massively on other teams for us to creep in.

We are certainly capable of winning all the remaining games but I think 3/5 is probably where I would be putting my money with a loss to Toulouse and then a "shock" against any of the other teams.

Away in the final...

Well ....... with this Sunday being a bank holiday weekend, such a crucial game against a good Widnes who usually bring a couple of hundred fans, following on from a great win against Fev and bringing home the 1895 cup, if the crowd isn't "well over" 2k then we may as well pack up and give up.

I remember well how they gave us a good beating on a monday night back in February. I rushed like hell to get to that match in time for kick off and to be fair to Widnes they played very well that night but we was way off the pace. I hope we can return the favour on sunday to get a much needed 2 points.

Agreed, although the loss at London last week won't have helped.Also as yet no promotion of the game by the club. People are fickle and, like pubs, the days of opening the doors and folk flocking in are well gone. There's a big prize around the corner and we need to go all out to achieve the best we can achieve. The club have made their mark in our 150th anniversary year with the historic win at Wembley. Let's hope that is just the start. Up The Fax!