If Leeds are seriously worried about the middle 8's then something is very seriously wrong.

None of the Championship sides should give Leeds any issues and the games should see a 30+ point win.

The SL sides - Salford and Widnes should be walk in the park - that leaves HKR, which could be tougher if its played at Hull.

The only consideration for me is playing Toronto at home - if that needs a win on Sunday field a stronger side if not rest a few

We've won 1 of our past 10.

Now is not the time to rest anyone!! Play our strongest available team, get another strong win under our belts and finally have some confidence and 'form' going into the business end of this season.

I am unsure as to how a wine against a side that quite frankly are an embarrassment is going to improve confidence.

If they put 50 past Salford what will that prove?

The only game that matters in the near future is the CC semi - winning that should be the focus of attention - short term

It won't be.

Actually if we put 50 past Salford it would prove quite a lot, on this occassion. Our biggest win this season, in the league, (most points scored) was against Widnes on Friday, before that it was 28 points. That is utterly pathetic for any team. I think every Super League club bar us, as scored at least 50 points in at least one match this season. Even in the championship, I believe the majority have scored 50 plus in at least one match this season.

Our attacking structure is poor, and this is the main reason we are in the mess we are in. IF that could improve by working together more, then I can see fully where Chritopher is coming from with regards his post.

IMO we have shown some signs of improvement in the structure area in the last 2 games and I think we need to continue working on that, I think in the last few minutes against Widnes we actually tried a planned move from the base of the scrum, I don't think Ive seen that al season! Also Dwyer needs to continue at starting hooker, not sure whats happened to him but he's been fabulous the last two games which has helped us getting some momentum.

Never thought I would say this but I wouldn`t want us to get to the CC Final as it would paper over the cracks we have had for 3 years now despite us winning the GF last year.
Anyway I would hate to get thrashed by everyone`s favourite team Catalans on the day

To be fair I don't think theres any papering of cracks going on, I think Sinfield is well aware of the squads weaknesses and will be willing to sort it, I think it speaks volumes that as soon as he came in he's signed a Prop and a fairly decent one too, we have needed that since Galloway retired and I imagine we could have got Crosby earlier than we did.

Any news on ticket sales for the double header? Obviously only really three teams selling tickets, whatever neutrals attend will be getting behind le cats i'm sure.

play the full squad !

What all 25+ ?

Over 20000 tickets sold and all four clubs are selling tickets

I've always thought the worst way to prepare for a big game is to dump the game the week before. Douggie did that and it never helped. We've scored a meh win over a dreadful team. That doesn't even start to give us momentum to beat a half-decent team desperately wanting to win the semi. I think we need to build momentum and confidence by playing our strongest team vs Salford. If we dump the Salford game then get hammered by Warrington we'll be starting froma very low ebb going into the 8s, which is definitely not the way to go.

Totally agree.
I would play our strongest lineup every week until we are safe.

Were in no position to throw a game. We've had a horrendous year. McDermott threw the Wigan game in 16 and we still ended getting mullered by Hull in the semi final.

I would possibly give Walker and Ward the week off, the rest of the first choice available should play

Momentum is a strong ally in sport and we need to start building it. I bet there's no players asking for a rest, they'll be wanting to get going again asap

Why would Ward need a week off - he hardly ever plays

Totally agree !

Sinfield expects Ward and Ferres to miss the game and possibly Ablett and Garbutt. He thinks everyone else bar Watkins who’s been missing will return. Crosby and Thompson ineligible.

Walker
Briscoe Sutcliffe Handley Hall
Moon Myler
Mullally Parcell Singleton
JJB Delaney
Cuthbertson

Dwyer
Oledzki
Peteru
Keinhorst

an embarrassing stuffing on national tv awaits

I'd like to think that Leeds fans will still turn up in numbers whatever they think the result 'might be'. This is a unique occasion with the two semis back-to-back. Wire's form has been up and down all season and Leeds have beaten us before when, on paper, we were favourites (notably the 2012 GF) .

It's pretty unlikely anyway but actually a good part of me doesn't want us to win this.

For me we need to be 100% focused on the Middle 8s. I know many people on here think we'll be fine but honestly I don't really share that confidence at the moment. A CC Final would be a huge distraction from the main task of surviving in SL.

You don't want us to win?

You liar.

You can kind of see his point though. Recent history suggests that whenever we get to Wembley we struggle the game before the final resting players and then have a major slump post-Wembley

IF we were to suffer such a post Wembley slump (assuming we can even get there) then IMO there would be every chance of it getting squeaky bum time in terms of maintaining the required position in the top 3.

Don't forget last time we ventured into the middle 8's we went in as one of the form teams in SL just prior to the split and with a fully fit squad, whereas this time we go into them as one of the poorest teams in terms of recent form and having just been thrashed by a very very poor SL team....who only had 12 men