Rohan Smith's first game in charge and a chance to build on arguably the most competent and fluid performance of the season.

If we win our game in hand, and if we beat Leigh in Blackpool, then we're 3 points behind them, with one more game against Leigh to play. Win that, and there would be one point in it, all other things being equal.

Obviously the near-faultless run we'd need for the rest of the season presupposes that Rohan can find the winning formula and instil the confidence and belief. Still a bit of an impossible dream, sure, but his attitude has rubbed off on me to the extent that I just donated a couple of quid to my bookie at 16/1. Two weeks ago that would not have remotely happened. Still expect to lose, but I have an inkling that I'll get a run for my money.

19-Man Squad

IN: Dale Ferguson, Kurt Haggerty, Mitch Clark and Joe Lumb
OUT: Lucas Walshaw, Jacob Trueman, Ben Kavanagh and Alex Mellor

Oscar Thomas, Paul Clough, Dale Ferguson, Lee Gaskell, Mitch Clark, Steve Crossley, Tom Olbison, Danny Addy, Matty Blythe, Kurt Haggerty, Ethan Ryan, Joe Lumb, Jay Pitts, Kris Welham, Danny Williams, Adam Sidlow, Omari Caro, Adam O’Brien, James Clare.

Oscar Thomas, Paul Clough, Dale Ferguson, Lee Gaskell, Mitch Clark, Steve Crossley, Tom Olbison, Danny Addy, Matty Blythe, Kurt Haggerty, Joe Lumb, Jay Pitts, Kris Welham,s, Adam Sidlow, , Adam O’Brien, .

1. James Clare
2.Omari Caro
3. Ethan Ryan (although i think he'll choose Blythe)
4. Kris Welham
5. Danny William
6. Lee Gaskell
7. Oscar Thomas
8. Paul Clough
9. Adam O'brien
10. Adam Sidlow
11. Tom Olbison
12. Jay Pitts
13. Danny Addy

14. Joe Lumb
15. Steve Crossley
16. Mitch Clark
17. Dale ferguson

Blythe & Crossley to miss out for me

Clare
Caro
Welham
Ryan
Williams
Gaskell
Thomas
Sidlow
OB
Clough
Olbison
Pitts
Addy

Lumb
Ferguson
Haggerty
Clarke

Clare
Caro
Welham
Haggarty
Williams
Gaskell
Thomas
Sidlow
AoB
Clough
Olbison
Ferguson
Addy

Pitts
Clarke
Crossley
Lumb

Blythe and Ryan to miss out. Not ideal playing Haggarty at centre but I think he could do a better job there than Blythe.

Not expecting that big a crowd given City are playing the second leg of their play-off Friday night, but hopefully there should be enough to make some noise and get Smith's reign off to a winning start

If is the biggest word in the english language......

It's the same length as no.

Surely that depends on font size?

Crossley and Blythe to miss our for me. Watching Ethan Ryan at Dewsbury,his defence is so much stronger than Blythe's. Positioning is better as a centre. Blythe is a back up second rower at best and should be nowhere near our 17 Imo.

Haggerty gives a little bit extra dimension from the bench along with Clark,Ferguson and Lumb it's a dynamic looking bench

I agree with Nothus. Yere has an ability to run through and over the opposing centre . I think he would definitely expose Blythe's defence and might dent Ryan's confidence. Having said that , Ryan deserves his chance .
And am I the only one who thinks Crossley has made a big improvement in the last few matches. You can now see why he was championship prop of the year and why Cas gave him a contract.

Crossley has made improvements in the last few games but it isn't enough compared to the other props we've got available.

I'd put Crossley as our fifth choice prop, behind Sidlow, Clough, Clark and Kavanagh.
Crossley is easily good enough for this division but I'm not sure he'd cut it in SL, but right now he's making good yards with the ball and you can see him looking to offload when he can.
On a related note, it seems like the coaches share my opinion because Fleming has just gone out on a month's loan to Swinton. That suggests to me that he won't be getting much first team action now that we have some bodies back.

Unfortunately it looks like Kavanagh has picked up another knock which is why Crossley still gets into my 17 for tomorrow. There's no way we'll only go with 3 recognised props against Sheffield. They might be in a poor run of form but they are still a full time team and they've already spanked us this season. Time for some revenge tomorrow hopefully.

I thought Crossley had a good game on Sunday. He was certainly running his weight for a change and causing a lot of trouble for the opposition's defence. But it's good that we've got actual competition for places now.