problem is if we keep playing menzies the way we are, we might be looking at him having an enforced rest due to injury. with no disrespect to celtic this is one of the best games on paper to rest him in.2nd best option would be to let worrincy/cook start and only bring menzies on if we're struggling. although this potentially ties up a bench spot he does cover a fair few positions in case of injury so its not a bad option.

www.bradfordbulls.co.uk/news/421 ... AN%20SQUAD

www.bradfordbulls.co.uk/news/421 ... AN%20SQUAD

Am I the only one he can't see any real benefit in resting Menzies this week? We have just had a 2 week break, so the players should have overcome most minor bumps and bruises. Players who may still be overcoming injuries.. fair enough but why rest our star player when he's already had a break?

I feel one or two may be seeing this game as 2 points in the bag before a ball is even kicked. I hope our players don't also think this way, otherwise we'll be the side to kick start the Crusaders season.

There is a further consideration, that we play the strongest team possible, subject to fitness, to enhance its effectineness as a unit.

Good point also. If we were sitting pretty up near the top then perhaps we could afford to rest a few but we need to continue to find some consistency.

I dont see this as 2 points in the bag, but we have youngsters to bring through, Olibison is in the squad and I can't see too many other fixtures coming up that would be better than this one to give him some game time. Im only advocating resting one backrower to give another some game time out of choice before we might [ihave[/i to play him - the squad minus Menzies should be able to compete against Celtic if we're serious about this season. I suggested Menzies as that might also be of [isome[/i benefit to a guy his age as opposed to no benefit resting worrincy/langley/cook.

But like I said, McNamara wont do it anyway as he'll follow the (perfectly logical and understandable) sentiments expressed on here by others about maintaining a winning team and improving cohesion. He's wrong mind IMHO

Its an interesting talking point though.

If we are to have any decent chance for/in the playoffs, we need to chalk up as many league points now as we possibly can. We simply cannot afford to drop ANY points in games which we have a realistic chance of winning, especially our home games. Can we?

I bet those who want to see the youngsters getting a chance would be amongst the first to play merry hell if/when we lose?

Right now, I think the Head Coach has to put out the strongest, and most SETTLED team he can in EVERY game. We don't have the luxury right now of drip-feeding the new guys through IMO, much as I would love to see it.

If we are to have any chance in the playoffs can we really be that worried about putting one youngster on the bench for a home game against the bottom side after two wins?? And the very reason I brought it up was that normally you are absolutlely correct that we dont have the luxury of bringing on loads of kids when every game is now almost a must win game to get in the playoffs. But in this instance, in this set of circumstance I believe we have a perfect opportunity to blood a promising youngster at a time of our choosing. If its Menzies being dropped that people have a problem with then drop Cook, but as I said earlier I would rest Menzies.

And for the record, would you put me in the playing merry hell band if we lose after putting one 18yr old on the bench?

Its irrelevant anyway as McNamara wont remove Menzies from the 17 adn we all know it.

I really dont see that the selection policy is either/or for a young player in this match.
We can field our best team and still put a young player on the bench who can be "blooded" as and if the game allows.

Yep, something like this team I suggested earlier that is neither taking 2 points for granted nor throwing youngsters in for the sake of it;

Halley
Sheriffe
Platt
Sykes
Semi
Jeffries
Deacon
Lynch
Newton,
Scruton
Burgess
Cook/Menzies
Langley

Olbison
Rinaldi
Kopczak
Worrincy

I think there has been a bit of furious agreement on this one, I'll just leave it at this - I'd make sure Olbison got some good game time in this one, if he gets in the team at the expense of either Cook or Worrincy. As I know Menzies wont be rested. And if we lose it wont be because of an interchange backrower no matter who it is.

It' not just points we need to get he points difference back in to the positive as well.

That is being dis-respective to Celtic.

Very good point, well made.

I agree.

This game is the mother of all banana skins. Celtic WILL start winning soon, and when they DO they'll carry on winning IMO. I will be very seriously displeased if its at our expense, not least cos the world and his whino will laugh their stupid heads off at us again.

Except of course folk will play merry hell about having a youngster warming the bench if the game does not allow. Coach is damned whatever he does!