I still think Howarth is a 13 rather than a hooker. He has a very similar skillset (and weaknesses) as Addy for mine. Good squad player to cover places, good first choice 13 for a Championship level team. After that, I remain unconvinced.

I think the idea of leaving Gaskell out if he's fit though is a crazy one. Whether he's leaving or not, you don't leave out a quality player like that out of spite. I get not wanting to change a winning formula, but it's a formula that's beat Whitehaven & Oldham, not Wigan & Warrington.

I get a lot of feeling that people say if we don't play at our best we will lose. That could be true but also assumes that Fev will play at their best. The beauty of sport is that there are two teams each of which could play good, bad or moderate and any combination will result in a different result. That's why they make you actually play the game out.

I don't think anyone is suggesting leaving Gaskell out "out of spite". I do have doubts about his ability to get up to speed in such an important game after a lengthy spell away. Who'd have thought we'd be having a discussion because we more than one option in the halves when Gaskell last played!



This is very true - it's actually a battle between the two biggest teams with the ability to blow hot and cold in the league this season, hence we are both are where we are right now - having written off the season a few weeks back but both right back in it.

Was definitely mentioned last week. A sense of "well he's leaving anyway, so sod him!". If Gaskell isn't totally fit, it's not worth the risk. But as far as getting up to speed, it has to happen at some point. If you leave him out this week, you're getting him up to speed in the middle 8s (IF the result goes our way this weekend) against the likes of Leeds, Huddersfield or Salford. If we lose this week, it all doesn't matter anyway, as all we have left are pointless glorified friendlies.

Once he is fit though, it is a very odd situation to be in as a Bradford fan as you say. From Gaskell being out earlier in the season and us having zero options at half back, to actually disputing over which ones to play? I feel all dizzy.

I see where you are coming from, but should we qualify for the Top 4, our games in the Middle 8s would be far less pressure than against Fev on Sunday! If we lose against Leeds, Huddersfield and Salford, who cares?

Only the coach and Gaskell himself will know if he's ready, but going on his past history I remain to be convinced.

The Fev game is huge and they will be right up for it. We’re starting to find some form but they are too. I’d feel more comfortable with a fit Clough, Clark and Kavanagh in the side.

As for Gaskell he’s not been the same since he got his jaw broken to be honest but part of that may be to do with him playing in a side with no other playmakers around him and the squad being generally fed up under Lowes.

If he’s fit I’d pick him in the 17 at least. Now he’d be alongside some more creative players so there would be less responsibility on him. As has been said he could be very valuable if we beat Fev and could feature more in the 8s.

It surely had to be that. I can understand a leg injury changing your style of play or never quite being recovered from, but a jaw? The only way that affects you is mentally if you're scared to go into a tackle, but Gaskell doesn't seem like the sort. If it had been Karl Pryce....

Didn't expect to get this chance after Fax game. Just hope they can get goal kicking sorted for weekend. It went some way to our defeat in MPG so hope it won't happen again v.Fev

Just tried to buy two tickets. Initial allocation already gone, expecting more in the morning.

There would appear to be some interest, then. Good. I can no longer attend for health reasons but will keep my fingers crossed.

Not got ours yet. Better get me skates on then.

I'm going to try again in an hour, on the off chance that they're collecting an additional allocation now. Otherwise I would get on the blower early doors.

Even are lass is coming to the Fev game - have our tickets already

The weather can't be worse than it was last year at the PO Road - it did all four seasons that day and my hands were bloody freezing.

Yeah that was the coldest I've been at the rugby in years.