I know it's only Monday and this thread doesn't usually pop up until later in the week, but wow I can't wait for this game.
With so much at stake it's gonna be a tense one, but hopefully we have the skill and fitness to pull through.

Will Gaskell play? I can't believe people are suggesting we leave him out. He was the best player in the whole league last season and I thought he had been back training for quite a number of weeks now? We would be fools to leave him out. Like someone suggested in the other thread, Charnock to 9 in place of Howarth for mine.

Exactly. Yes we've been playing well but Gaskell is a class player. Now he's some actual quality playing alongside him in the pivotal positions, it will take some pressure off. Got to play if fit.

Think we need some props back. It will be a war Out there and we've got to hit them with everything we've got as they'll be throwing the kitchen sink at us.

Really cant make my mind up on Gaskell; presuming he's fit that is. I dare say he'd look a much better player alongside Chisholm than he did struggling next to Addy, but at the same time why fix what isnt broke...

If anything i think i'd rather see him on the bench in place of Haworth - start Charnock at 6 and move him to 9 when taking off OB, going to Gaskell and Chisholm 6 & 7. All purely hypothetical depending on him being fit though. I dont think we'll see him this week.

I'd keep with the same 3/4 line, to a man they were all superb. If anything i think he might drop young Ethan, he seems to like protecting him from the bigger games at the moment. Personally i'd have him in there all day long. Especially seen its him or Blythe!!
Any word on Purtell lately?

The pack is picking itsself at the moment. Philbin, Haggerty and Ferguson all have to be in. Could see Pitts & Mellor missing out again. Though personally i'm tied between Pitts & Olbison.
Clark and Clough would get straight back in for me if they're fit.

Do we no how many tickets we was allocated by Fev?

I'd go with Pitts. He hasn't played as well this year as he has the previous 2, but I think Olbison & Mellor have been really out of form and Pitts has offered a bit more. Mellor had the one good game a few weeks back (I forget who against now), and Olbison has looked a shadow of himself this year. Shame really as he was once one of our most consistent performers.

I believe that it will be tough game they are in great form at the moment but surely if they do beat us, and fair play if they do, they will walk into the middle 8's without a team when Leeds recall all the dual registration players that make up the outfit

They haven't played nearly as many Leeds Dual Reg players as people suggest. With the exception of Jordan Baldwinson, who has spent most of the season playing for Fev, other Leeds Dual Reg players have only played 2 or 3 games a piece. They've only had Baldwinson, Golding & Mullally playing the last couple of weeks.

Absolutely can't wait for Sunday! Also incredibly nervous about it, easily as much as for the million pound game last year. Amazing how 2 weeks ago I had written the season off and was merely going to see the new players perform and start looking forward to next year.

Went to buy my tickets this morning. They sold about 15 in the 5-10 mins I was in the shop and there were people waiting to buy when I left. The woman behind the till said they were queuing into the car park to buy after yesterdays match.

Some real selection headaches for this weekend which can only be a good thing. We've been very, very close in our big matches this year (Leigh at the bash and at the LSV) but come up just short. Hopefully that can stand us in good stead now we have creative players at half back and a full back who has now settled in and is really starting to look the business.

In tight, arm wrestle type matches like this one is going to be your Chisholm, Moss, Charnock, Gaskell type players are vital and can win the game for you given the slightest gap in defence.

Fev know the Bulls attack can hurt them, but our defence is still shaky and in a close game we could be found wanting, but as it's a big match for both Teams I feel that may not be so much of an issue. Again it will be a change in the Team 17 which will again cause the odd problem but that's just a symptom of the Club prior to Rohan joining!
The Bulls should shade it unless they can step up to SL pace and possibly blow Fev away 2nd half!

well after reading this thread iv no idea why your only on same points as us

Is it just me that finds this fixation on Leeds' dual reg players a bit OTT?

The idea that Leeds are, somehow, really concerned that we are going to meet them in the eights and are perturbed by this, to such an extent that they will be prepared to offer extra players to Fev, just to keep us out of the four, is plain lunacy, imo.

I know it's all part of the build up etc but, Jeez give me strength - they've getting all their top earners back and have just beaten the top two in SL over the last fortnight and we're a second tier team which is struggling to make the top four. Bet they're quaking in their boots!!

Couldn't agree more. I don't get it at all.

Apart from the irony if one of them scores a winning try against us (and that's all it is, a bit ironic considering some of our fans' obsession with them), I really don't see it being all that relevant.

Can't wait. Should be a sell out.

I walked past the ticket office on my way out yesterday and looked inside. It was only a couple of minutes after the players had been applauded, and the queue was already back to the door then.

Advance ticket sales also won't be the only judge. There's no price incentive to buy early (same amount on the gate as the ticket is). There's only the 10% to Bradford and knowing you have it in case of a sell out. But some people won't be that fussed about that unless they hear it's getting close to selling out, they'll still just decide on the day to head over.

I think the idea of replacing Howath is wrong . Given the criticisms levelled at him in the time he's been here I watched him closely yesterday and I can see why Smith has not only been starting with him but having him on the field when O'Brien is also there. And I actually think it's making O'Brien an even better player.
Charnock had another good game yesterday not only with his kicking. He is becoming more confident and took on the line a good few times.
Moss Chisholm Charnock Howarth and O'Brien would all be in my 17.
Whatever the result next weekend I think Smith's team selection will be a clear indication of how he will recruit for next year. For example if Gaskell is going to the Giants and is selected in the 17 , I believe that indicates that he is not content with those covering the starting right centre/ back up half back roles.