Luke Gale played behind a well beaten pack last year. Now that he's got some decent forwards protecting him he's got the time and space to do his job.

I'm 100% in agreement but what puzzles me is why James Lowes so very definitely disagrees with you and I. I'd love to ask him to his face what it is he's seeing in the lad.

Depends if you class a fortnight ago as recent. Mendeika played half game in halves V London when Addy went off. Looked pretty decent there as well by most accounts.
Think people are being a little harsh on Sjelka too. He looked really good in Cas friendly then lost plot in leigh game. when he came back from suspension it took him a long time to settle but he was starting to combine with Gaskell really well in last couple of games before his injury. Given we effectively have a free bench spot through only playing one hooker ,once everyones fit we can bring him back in when ready, with Addy moving to loose and still have option of replacing him mid game if he's struggling with Addy,Mullaney or Mendeika depending on who we have in 4th bench spot.

That could be very brave of you, seeing as the Hacks stay away from asking too many forthright questions when interviewing Jimmy. Though given the chance I would, hopefully he would answer a Fan's question the same way Mick Potter did!

Been told Gaskell will be out for a while. Be interesting to see how well we do without him. Rams might struggle a bit more on the bigger Odsal pitch than when we played them at their place.

Jimmy is a hell of a narky sod but some of the utter guff he gets asked is embarrassing. Hobbo from BCB normally says something fairly inane and then there's someone who sounds like he's 14, who timidly tries to not anger Jimmy and usually fails.

Shaw
Uaisele
Henry
Purtell
Williams
Mullaney
Addy
Sidlow
AoB
Clough
Olbison
Ferguson
Pitts

Crossley
Lauaki
Blythe
Mendieka

Siejka and Baile to miss out.

As we are getting close to the middle eights I suspect he will be keen to start Siejka, and that Mullaney will play full back. Surely Matty Blythe has to be getting a run out and Henry has to be most under threat. Some interesting options in the backs and half backs. I feel that Mendieka has done enough to start with Addy as insurance on the bench.

I would honestly say that Uaisele is the weakest of the Wingers/Centres. He just seems to go down far too easily and doesn't run directly enough for mine. I guess the counter-argument is that a Henry and Blythe combo might be a bit lightweight.

Yeh I understand we probably won't see him until the regular season is almost over now. As long as he is fit for the Middle 8's then I'm not too concerned.

19 man squad:
Adam Henry, Adam O’Brien, Adam Sidlow, Adrian Purtell, Dale Ferguson, Danny Addy, Danny Williams, Epalahame Lauaki, Etu Uaisele, Harry Siejka, Jake Mullaney, James Mendeika, Jay Pitts, Jean-Philippe Baile, Matty Blythe, Paul Clough, Ryan Shaw, Steve Crossley, Tom Olbison.

Id go.

Shaw
Williams
Purtell
Henry
Uaisele
Mullaney
Addy
Sidlow
O'Brien
Clough
Olbison
Ferguson
Pitts

Crossley
Lauaki
Mendeika
Blythe

rest to miss, bit wary of Mullaney as he is just back from injury but only other option is Mendeika at 6 with Baille on bench, rather not rush the injury returns back just yet

Eight matches left. Next five should be winnable without Gaskell. Last 3 are probably a bigger challenge and should we still be without him then let's hope we are safe in the top 2 by then. Maybe the news blackout is necessary regarding how bad his knocks are as he would be likely to receive extra ' treatment' from opposition players when he returns. Recently he seems to have had his fair share of suffering. I'm hoping he makes a swift recovery but maybe it's a great opportunity for someone else to run things.