It is hard to predict anything other than a defeat for this game in all honesty. With just Herbert at halfback and no recognised stand off we will struggle to score points against Wire. Our defence is among the worst in the league so far and Wire have scored more points than any other side in SL.

I'd like to be more positive ... but I can't see anything other than a Wire win.

IF the Bulls can complete their sets AND defend out wide (and they haven't managed both much this year0 it'll be close BUT otherwise ...

On a more positive note, there have been more unexpected scores than a Bulls win in SL this season!

I'd be tempted to give Southernwood a shot given he's been playing well in the U20s. He's much taller than Burrow BTW.

your right having checked theire wikis (assuming their up to date) I can remember the context of the original comments that were made last year when southernwood wasnt getting a game. The comment last year was that Southernwood was the same weight as Burrow despite being 5" taller, hence him being a bit lightweight. Comment from Bulls at time(Medley I think) was that they wanted to keep him in academy until he'd bulked up a bit. Again assuming wiki info is correct then it looks like he's done that.

If Potter still has a problem with Briggs then this could be a good game to give Southernwood a go. I would say Fax game, but IMO thats a big risk as its a game we really can't afford to experiment in. Give either Southernwood or Briggs a go this week and if they go ok then stick with them for the fax game.

At the Salford game I did think he looked bigger than I'd been led to believe by peoples comments (and Potters preseason comment). I've seen 2 or 3 u20s games and Southernwood has looked pretty good in them.

I am all for giving the young guys their chance in the 1st team, however I would much prefer to see them gradually brought through whilst the team is going fairly well. I sense that people are wanting to see Southernwood included because Sykes isn't really very good at stand off. But the coaches also have a duty to do what is right for the player.

If he is ready for 1st then let's get him in there, but he shouldn't be rushed in because the 1st team are struggling if he isn't ready for that level yet. Potter isn't afraid to blood some youngsters, so I expect to see Southernwood given a go as soon as Potter decides he is ready.

know what you're saying. But I think part of problem, and this isnt a dig at Sykes, is that we know what he's capable of at standoff from last year and he isnt going to improve. Playing Sykes at standoff is a sticking plaster at best and theres a sense of us treading water and not progressing. At least if one of U20's halves was playing there would be a sense that we were building for the future even if they were making mistakes (although knowing how impatient some of our fans are they proabably wouldnt give them the time or allow for mistakes before deciding they werent good enough).

If Southerwood is ready for SL then yes I would agree, we would be better off letting develop and making the mistakes now.

My point was that he shouldn't be picked to keep the fans happy because they don't like Sykes at 6. I hope he isn't far off though, otherwise it could be a tough couple of months.

I'm thinking that Southernwood at SH would provide a decent partnership with Herbert at SO. Briggs could come in when he's fit/in form etc.

think theres an element of wrapping our youngsters in cotton wool and letting them make there mistakes in u20's away from public eye. But thing is no matter how long you wait their still going to mistakes when they step up. Problem we have is our fans can be very quick to get on someones back so you can understand coaches being reluctant to go with a kid over a more established SL player. But some players need that step up to flourish. How many told us burgess wasnt ready for SL, Yet in games he's played so far he's looked pretty good in gametime he's had.

Think in current circumstances we our support would be a bit more forgiving of mistakes as long as they could see improvement rather than just papering over the cracks.

Maybe then moving herbert to Loose forward?

Possibly, we need another creative halfback as Herbert is the only player in the team capable of giving an assist apart from our usual two at dummy half. Nobody's really capable of breaking the line on their own so we need to make breaks by having more creativity with the ball in hand.

When you look at other teams they often seem to be able to get the backline moving with ease whereas we really struggle at basic passing moves, especially the "out the back" move that all the SL teams use. I'm sure this is down to us playing with one or two makeshift halfbacks.

Looking at the list of injuries, there is Addy to come back. Including him at loose with whichever halfbacks adds another creative player. Showed some good skills in the Quins game before getting injured.

You could also liken the Southernwood situation to Sam Tomkins at Wigan.

Everyone said he was too light weight and too young, but injuries forced their hand a little.
Look at him now.

I agree with other post re: needing a little more creativity.
Cain would hopefully provide that.

doesnt look like either off southernwood/briggs is gonna get a go if connors latest tweet is anything to go by. mentions possibility of burgess,olbison and donaldson returning and raynor being a doubt, so presumably ainscough getting nod.