For those who go to games like myself you’ll see Michael running on with instructions, water etc. I don’t believe anyone deserves to be dropped at the minute and hamstrings are tricky. I’d rather he was in prime condition for the business end rather than knackering him now

And that’s exactly what I think they are doing with him, nursing him back so he’s fully fit and not burnt out by business end

Tricky one this. Both previous games we were under strength in the pack. The league game we won because Leeds d/r strengthened our pack and Holmes completely nullified Keyes’ kicking game.
The cup game we lost because we were still under strength in the pack, Walker didn’t nullify Keyes’ kicking game and Holmes was injured early.
This one, Keyes isn’t there, and Fax have missed him recently. But our pack finally is up to strength without any D/r needed.
And there aren’t really any of their pack I would swap with. I would expect Jouffret will have a much more uncomfortable time this weekend and we do seem to have worked out how to get the most out of our pitch. I think an 8 point Bradford win.

Lawford is playing for Hunslet this weekend.

Oh the Fax fans won’t like your comments Highlander. Remember we are constantly told none of our team is good enough to get into the Fax team… this despite spending most of the season above them in the table and both of us being inconsistent.

Either way, I’m never confident of a win over Halifax. This will be a real test and a step up from the teams we’ve played under Lee/Brian. This performance will show whether we are now a top end playoff side or not. Performance not result.

Halifax fans seem fairly confident of a win. Let’s hope it’s good weather and a decent crowd and atmosphere and we turn them over in another tight game. It’s in our own hands. A win and we make a bit of breathing space with a likely loss to Toulouse away up next. Two losses on the bounce and we are dragged back into the fight for that last playoff spot.

At least we are mixing it this year. Apart from Featherstone, it’s proving hard to predict.

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It's just weird isn't it. Proper desperation of "my dad's bigger than your dad" stuff.

I've no problem saying Halifax have some wonderful players.
Walmsley and Jouffret are a joy to watch. The fact is we're evenly matched hence we're next to each other in the table and are 1-1 in the head to heads.

Simply come down to who kicks, attacks and defends better on the day.

From this fax fans point of view there is always some stupid stuff said by some fans when it comes to the Bulls. But for me i just enjoy the rivalry without getting into that sort of thing and as for the game i think you have summed it up well it is all about who gets it right on the day.

With Jowett being out for at least 2 weeks as I see it we have 3 options to fill his absence. First is keep Holmes at full back and play Lilley in the halves with Chicko starting at hooker. Second is moving Holmes into the halves and playing GF Jr at full back and thirdly playing Connor Wynne at full back and Holmes into the halves. Shame we have let Lawford go on loan as that would have been the best solution. What do we think?

I like Lawton. Everytime he plays he’s always done really well. And other than Holmes (in his limited games at halfback) he’s the only one to really take the line on.

However, now that he’s gone on loan. I think Greenwood/Noble will revert to a Patton/Lilley HB combination. With Segeyaro/Flanagan sharing the hooking duties.

If the games weren’t as important as Fax at home and Toulouse away (both teams are near us on the table and we have a real chance at winning both). I’d be tempted to play Flanagan Jr at 6 like he has done for the reserves as he’s been playing well there. But I don’t want to throw him into two huge games.

With Lilley and Patton in the halves we're too slow and too predictable so I'd be saying Halifax by 6

Agreed on Lilley and Patton being too slow as a paring but I'd be amazed not to see them picked in those positions with us losing Walker and Jowitt.

Has Flanagan jnr learnt to defend yet?

I don’t think so. Also has a petulant streak that opposition can target.
There’s still a possibility of Connor Wynne slotting in at fb. Decision could be made late after this weeks training.

It's Holmes or Wynne for me then at fullback. Hopefully Wynne.

I'd sooner have Lilley and Segeyaro share hooking duties than have Lilley in the halves and Flanagan snr on the bench.

I see Lee Gaskell has left Wakefield with immediate effect.

Might end up at Keighle they are on a signing spree