Fair enough. There are definitely supporters of 1 or 2 Championship clubs who have used it as a stick to beat Fev with despite their having used it themselves on multiple occasions. Got no problem with someone disagreeing with the overall DR system itself.

On paper we (Fev) are right up against it this weekend and there's no doubt it's a good time for Bradford to play us from your point of view, our 30yo rookie coach arrived only just over a week ago and is up against the most experienced coach in the division, and five of our likely starters (including 3 pivots) only flew in from the other side of the world in the last 2 weeks.

We played ok in the 1st half last week against what was Leeds' U19 team plus Briscoe, Walters & Ormondroyd, but all our tries were basically bargeovers using superior strength, whether we can open up a full-time Championship team on such little prep remains to be seen.

On the plus side there does appear to be a very good team spirit building at the moment and we do have some talent in the team, but it might be a few weeks before we really start to gel.
There's a bit more optimism amongst Fev fans than there was 3 or 4 weeks ago, but that's because the overseas players have finally arrived. Like FevGrinder I'm more hopeful than confident, but it will be an interesting and informative game.

Put it this way I’m glad we’re playing you on Sunday rather than both our games being later on in the season. You’re bound to improve as you go along. How much depends on how players gel, who you get from Leeds and if the new coach is any good. If it all goes well I believe it’s probably between us and you for the 5th place spot.

Likely line up's:

20. Brandon Pickersgill
2. Ethan Ryan
3. Jake Webster
4. Ashley Gibson
5. Jy Hitchcox
14. Jordan Lilley
7. Dane Chisholm
10. Steve Crossley
9. Matty Wildie
19. Jon Magrin
11. Matt Garside
12. Elliot Minchella
13. Mikey Wood

21. George Flanagan
16. James Green
8. Liam Kirk
25. Connor Farrell/29. Matty Storton


Kiedan Hartley
Darren Forde
Thompson Teteh
Josh Hardcastle
Conor Carey
Ase Boas
Watson Boas
Scott Wheeldon
Cameron King
Anthony Mullally
Brett Delaney
Brad Day
Jack Bussey

Not sure on how Featherstone would line up on the bench but I expect it to include Walters, Ormandroyd and possibly Lockwood/Harrison.

On paper our back line beats theirs hands down but it will be a tough game down the middle. And I think this is where we will win/lose it. Unless we let our backs do the damage. Bulls by 8-10.

Will Hardcastle's red card affect him this week or next? Hasn't Bussey still got a while of his ban to get his teeth into?

I think Kear will go with this

Pickersgill
Hitchcox
Webster
Evans/Oakes
Ryan
Lilley
Wildie
Crossley
Hallas
Magrin
Minchella
Farrell
Wood

Flanagan
Green
Kirk
Storton

I don't think Chisholm is in good enough form to get in the side and Keyes is still out with back problems I think. I can see Wildie playing there with Lilley. Not sure if Gibson has recovered from his dead arm - if he has he might play right centre and Webster move to the left. The centres, halfbacks and fourth bench place are where I'm not sure what will happen.

I'd be amazed with Chisholm doesn't start. I can't see Kear going far away from.

1. Pickersgill
2. Hytchcox
3. Evans
4. Webster
5. Ryan
6. Lilley
7. Chisholm
8. Kirk
9. Wildie
10. Crossley
11. Farrell
12. Minchella
13. Wood
14. Flanagan
15. Green
16. Margrin
17. Storton

Must be a nightmare to coach against Fev as their line up could look so different on Sunday. This will be our toughest game for a long long time. We'll Need the same mental strength from the L1 final. When things our going against us, bite down on our gum shield and keep going.

Interesting that there are probably going to be 7 guys who have played for Fev in the Bulls line-up on Sunday judged on the forecasts on this thread.