Nowt up with that....except you've just given the game away!

I would play the same team as Sunday but swap fairbank for larroyer and McComb for crooks . I would start with Moore and bring obrien and lannon on when when Batleys pack start to slow . Keyes , sutcliffe will play the following weeks in equally important games against London and Widnes , Toulouse ,etc .

Straight swap for Larroyer off the bench. He'd shore the defence up late on and wouldn't give daft penalties away.

That would be the way to go for me, Sutcliffe is a decent player but it’s not like he’s Sonny Bill Williams in his prime.

On the other hand since were speculating, if I were being ruthless and behind the scenes we’ve signed him up for next year and who ever he displaced wasn’t going to be retained then maybe.

On who starts between Moore and O’Brien Grix started with Moore on Sunday because he’s fairly solid and brought O’Brien and Lannon on to rip into what he judged would be Fev’s bigger tiring pack.

He knew that’s what we would be up against in any case and thought that was the best option and they both had stand out performances in A&D.

Interesting to see if he goes down the same route this week.

Unfortunately I was away on holiday this year when Town got there. Had we not have got there 6 or so years earlier then Id have cancelled the holiday.

There is an element of the result not really mattering. Just getting there is a huge prize in itself; to see YOUR club play under the arch. But obviously coming away with the cup adds a massive bonus on top. To all those going to Wembely, enjoy it. It will be a special day.

Yes, I can go down on Saturday and if we don't win i won't be sickened like
after most losses. It's not like it's the CC Final after all. Don't get me wrong, i really want to see Fax win but getting to Wembley, albeit by this route, is the big thing for our club at this time. There are bigger finals ahead to aim for. Because of this i am sure i'll be able to relax and take in the game. All this said i do think we will take the spoils by a couple of scores and can't wait for the weekend. Enjoy. Up The Fax!

Craig Lingard was asked about the possibility of Keyes playing which he acknowledged and linked his absence to the problems Fax had been having in that area, but what does he know.

Many of us apparently overrate Keyes anyway in spite of the fact he was both players player and supporters player of the year in 2022 with the top tackler of the year being Brandon Moore despite his apparent lack of sizeicon_exclaim.gif

Does being a captain really carry so much responsibility? Their "official" duty seems to be able to question a referee's decision, but as far as trying to motivate his teammates, any player can do a bit of clapping and shouting. It's not like being a cricket captain, for example, which actually involves making on-field tactical decisions.

Confirmed by the club.
The 2023 AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final between Batley Bulldogs and Halifax Panthers will be shown live, exclusive and completely free on the Our League web and app. (As has been rumoured, the game WILL NOT be shown on BBC Iplayer.

Looking at the facts Joe’s ability and value to the team can’t be seriously questioned.

The concern is his history with injuries, several commentators all said they were surprised for the most part he avoided them last season.

Building a team around him when he’s the organiser and having a large part in your plays when he’s missing from the spine has a big impact as can be seen at every level when other teams halves are out but how can a part time team with no reserves keep 3 decent half backs happy and playing when there all fit?

It’s still an if whether O’Brien stays but if he does and is fit then that leaves both Brandon and Tom to fight it out and since Adam’s arrival Moore has upped his game.

The point I was making, if it’s Brandon who becomes third choice it won’t be because of either a weakness in goal line defence or anywhere else on the pitch, there are plenty of valid arguments for Tom without having to make one up.

I think Keyes is an excellent player, I've never slagged him off, but I do think his absence is being over exaggerated. We appeared to cope without him against fev, for example.

Sorry that was a very difficult read, so the point you were trying to make is probably lost in there somewhere. Am I right?I'm......(Sorry Tony)

Good news though both Keyes and Sutcliffe included so what we think? Does either or both play and who misses out? If keyes plays then one of Jouffret, JWH, Pickersgill, or Moore misses out. If Sutcliffe plays then you would think one of Larroyer or McComb misses out. We are looking pretty close to full strength for this game and the business end so Grix has some big decisions to make.

Edit: Im presuming that Dan Fleming will also miss out. His reduced playing time Sunday was a little suspicious.