I didn't make the game but have watched the highlights and whilst I wouldn't 'defend' the players who missed one on one tackles I fear we are missing the major weakness which was the number of times Brough/Brown ran diagonally across the entire middle third of our defence waiting for outside backs to commit before making the pass.

The defensive line speed and aggression of our forwards has been appalling in every game so far including Wakey. For some it's near heresy but Andy Lynch has started the season poorly and as skipper needs to lead the line and hit a lot harder. Give Chase and Orr the freedom of Odsal like we did Brough/Brown and you will see our outside backs look like mugs again - no matter who is picked.

they might be available in terms of us being able to recall them with no notice, but finnigan isnt available as he's out injured

That's what I was meaning, but I actually didn't know Finigan was injured anyways! Crookes is still available though

cant say I see crookes as an improvement on sykes/royston tbh.

He's not an improvement on Royston, but as much as I'm not a particular fan of Crookes, I'd take him at centre over Sykes.

seem to remember his defense was suspect when he featured last year which is biggest problem I have with sykes at .

I thought Crookes looked pretty ordinary in all the pre season games.. even against Keighley he didn't really stand out that much. It will be interesting to see how Potter goes with this selection, Sykes and Ah Van would be targeted all afternoon in defence.

This team really needs to gel, and shifting people around too much won't do that. Crookes in for Raynor - even though he hasn't impressed yet, he deserves a chance.

Royston
Ainscough
Platt
Ah Van - He was shocking, but I think he should get a chance to put it right.
Crookes
Kearney
Herbert
Lynch
Diskin
Hargreaves
Olbison
Whitehead
Elima

O'Brien
Kopzcak
Scruton
Addy

crookes is a and looked ordinary on wing last year when he was tried there

But what are the other options?

I thought he did pretty well on the wing vs Wigan. Limited the damage Richards could have caused and showed some good strength at some points in the game.

I think you're only remembering one half of that game. If I remember right, one half he limited him well, but in the other he got absolutely creamed by him repeatedly.

I accept Crookes isn't the best option with a fully fit squad. But if we're short of three quarters, I'd be more confident with him in the side than Sykes (without wanting to jump on the Sykes Scapegoat bandwagon).