First fixture in the 8's followed by Wakefield away.

Really good opportunity to get off to a flyer

Great chance to get off to a winning start!

If we take anyone lightly in the 8's we'll get a shock. But at home, we should be confident of getting the result if we turn up. Also gives Gaskell and co a chance to find some rhythm before we face SL sides.

Couldn't really have worked out better to be honest

I know we MUST not take anyone lightly - but given a choice, a game against a team that we really should beat, and walloped 46-12 at Odsal earlier this season, is a good start - and especially given we will have several new players and several returning after injury

Hopefully we can lay down a marker with a convincing win to take forward into another 'must win' game against Wakey

Should be a steady start.....looking forward to seeing us against the SL sides, a sure test of where we are!!

Need to make sure we can keep our stars fit and not put them at risk, that's what may swing it for us, steady start middle weeks will be difficult but we may have games "targetted" especillay if we can gain 6 from 3 but if we get 4 from 3 that's promising and shows we mean business here's hoping, would have preferred maybe kr or Widnes as final game as either or both may be safe then.

So with the start of the most important set of fixtures for the club in 10 years, thought i would start a thread. Think it's a perfect game to start with, especially with a lot of big names coming back from injury. A win should give us some confidence and may settle a few nerves. Won't be easy, but i think we should win. In fact a loss, and our promotion campaign is over before it has begun IMO.

I think we need a good performance. A patchy scrappy win could be worrying. We've been scrappy for about two months, but i've given the team the benefit of the doubt as i think we knew we had got the top 2 and you can understand why the team have had one eye on this period. Also the fact we have had no half backs really handicapped us. But if we have another scrappy, performance when it really counts, and when we have a full team available, i think the fans could become even more frustrated. So a good performance is needed IMO

I think we have the ability to beat anyone in those 8's, the challenge for Jimmy and the team is to perform for the full 80, and for all 7 games. If we perform poorly in any of them, we'll lose.

For me, now everyone is fit (apart from Nielsen) i would go with.

1. Shaw
2. Clare
3. Henry
4. Purtell
5. Williams
6. Gaskell
7. Mullaney
8. Clough
9. O'brien
10. Sidlow
11. Olbison
12. Pitts
13. Addy

14. Ferguson
15. Crossley
16. Lauaki
17. Blythe

18th man: Walshaw

I can't see the logic of signing new players for the 8's and not playing them, I'd go with the following excluding Nielsen who I'd rest this week

1. Shaw
2. Caro
3. Henry (more attacking threat than Purtell & Blythe)
4. Blythe (stronger defender than Purtell)
5. Clare
6. Gaskell
7. Mullaney
8. Clough
9. O'brien
10. Sidlow
11. Olbison
12. Ryan (Superleague experienced forward)
13. Pitts

14. Ferguson
15. Crossley
16. Lauaki
17. Addy (cover halves, hooker back row)

18th man: Walshawwouldn't argue with that, can cover back row and centres

Assuming there's no Nielsen, I'd go:

Shaw
Clare
Henry
Blythe
Williams
Gaskell
Mullaney
Clough
O'Brien
Sidlow
Pitts
Olbison
Addy

Lauaki
Crossley
Ferguson
Ryan

It's nice to have options and I was close to putting Purtell and Caro in.

I think it's important we get 2 points on the board early, so I'm happy we're playing Sheffield first up. They're a good side, but if we're realistic about gaining promotion then we have to beat them.

I wouldn't count out Nielsen playing on Sunday. After all, he'd not be the first overseas player to get off the plane straight into a team

A decent team chosen above,
Does this now mean that Purtell could be released at the end of the season if he isn't first choice in big games?

I would assume that either Purtell or Henry (or both) are not getting a deal for next year.

Quite apart from the surfeit of centres we need to get the quota spots down.

If Nielsen gets here in time I'd play him, if only on the bench. He needs game time asap.

Shaw
Caro
Henry
Blythe/Purtell (can't choose, both poor options imo)
Clare
Gaskell
Mullaney
Sidlow
AoB
Clough
Olbison
Ryan (get him some game time too)
Addy

Crossley
Lauaki/Fleming
Pitts/Walshaw/Ferguson (take your pick)
Nielsen