Quote RhinoNeil="RhinoNeil"If Watkins does play and does go off injured it won't be the end of the world. Delaney simply goes to centre, Sinfield reverts to loose forward (Presuming Mac will continue to play Sinfield at 6 and bench Burrow or McGuire). Sure its far from ideal but it won't exactly screw us up big time. We'll be a forward light but JJB and JP, who have both had a weeks rest, can do a full 80.'"
I would disagree. Its bad for three reasons, none of which you have considered;
1. If he goes of with the same injury that would suggest he wasnt fit in the first place. If he isnt fit then there is a good chance he would not have been at his best. We cant carry people in a game like this, we will get punished.
2. We lose a player meaning we only have three fit players on the bench. Wembley is a big ground, this is a big game and I bet it s roasting hot. Its going to be very energy sapping out there.
3. Finally, and most importantly, playing a player who has an injury can, in a worse case scenario, cause more damage longer term for the player.
Its simply not worth the risk when we have Delaney, Smith, Hardaker who can all play there.
. I agree to your points to some extent. The way I see it is you can train the house down all week but nothing can test how the knee will go in the game. If its giving him a little grief on Friday there is no doubt about it and he won't play. Like I said its not ideal but what I'm saying is IF the disaster struck we will have adequate cover and it wont screw us up like it may have done in 05. Players won't have to play out of position to cover his loss. This may work in his favour at decision time.
