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.

we also have Peterson who i have seen yet to play, Jimmy must have a big plan for the rest of our squad

I thought we had a bit more structure with Siejka and he was definitely improving. Having said that our performances in the last month have probably been more complete. I've gone with,

Mullaney
Uaisele
Blythe
Purtell
Williams
Mendieka
Siejka
Sidlow
O'brien
Clough
Ferguson
Pitts
Addy

Crossley
Lauaki
Baile
Olbison.

I've kept Addy on the pitch as he gives us a bit of organisation and a kicking game. Mullaney is our best full back, Siejka is a scrum half and Mendieka a stand off so in the absence of our best player it might be best to go as close to how you would if Gaskell was fit. . If Mullaney pulls up. Mendieka can go to FB with Addy filling in at 6.

I think Uaisele's age and experience helps Henry, Adam certainly seems more consistent and less likely to brainfart.

I can't see Jimmy bringing Blythe in and then not using him. If he wasn't going to play then he'd be at Oxford with the other guys. He'll definitely be in the 17 I think.

Tbh I probably would pick him but I was trying to second guess Jimmy! I'd also be happy to try a Mullaney and Siejka half back partnership but I doubt Lowes would go for that.