It also shows it is pointless trying to read press articles/releases especially around injured players, seen as though Gaskell, Siejka and Jake were all fully fit 3 weeks ago!!

Think it's time to forget about Siejka. After such a long lay off, it will take him a few games to settle back in and get back into the swing of things. These next 7 games are all going to be at a huge intensity and we can't have players easing back in.

Surely, assuming he[i is[/i going to be properly fit, easing back in is easier than coming in as a new player? Surely you're not suggesting we don't play any new players?

No. Sijeka's not played for months. All the other new players have been playing. Also Siejka plays in a far more important position than Neilsen, Caro, Clare etc they're jobs are much simpler. Siejka has to control the rest of the team and create for them. Also when he did play, he didn't set the world a light. He just did ok. He wasn't crucial to us like Gaskell. If he played better in those opening games, I'd let him play, but he didn't do enough to convince me to now play him in high intensity games, when he's also not played for months.

Reading the article, it seems more like he's agravated the injury in training.

19 Man squad: Adam Henry, Adam O’Brien, Adam Sidlow, Adrian Purtell, Dale Ferguson, Danny Addy, Danny Williams, Epalahame Lauaki, James Clare, James Mendeika, Jay Pitts, Jake Mullaney, Lee Gaskell, Matt Ryan, Matty Blythe, Omari Caro, Paul Clough, Steve Crossley, Tom Olbison.

For me:

1. James Mendieka
2. James Clare
3. Adam Henry
4. Adrian Purtell
5. Danny Williams
6. Lee Gaskell
7. Jake Mullaney
8. Paul Clough
9. Adam O'Brien
10. Adam Sidlow
11. Tom Olbison
12. Jay Pitts
13. Danny Addy

14. Dale Ferguson
15. Epalahame Lauaki
16. Steve Crossley
17. Matty Blythe

Caro & Ryan to miss out for me

I'd go with....

James Mendeika
James Clare/Omari Caro
Adrian Purtell
Matty Blythe
Danny Williams
Lee Gaskell
Jake Mullaney
Paul Clough
Adam O’Brien
Adam Sidlow
Jay Pitts
Tom Olbison
Danny Addy

Epalahame Lauaki
Steve Crossley
Dale Ferguson
Matt Ryan

Adam Henry and either James Clare/Omari Caro to miss out for me.

Personally, I'd have liked to have seen Shaw in the squad at FB rather than Mendeika and I'm yet to be convinced by Steve Crossley. Samir out on loan and unlikely to be back at the club anytime soon but think he's a much better option than Crossley!!!

I think we'll line up like this:

Mendieka
Caro
Henry
Purtell
Clare
Gaskell
Mullaney
Clough
AoB
Sidlow
Olbison
Pitts
Addy

Crossley
Lauaki
Ferguson
Ryan

Blythe and Williams not used. Ross from the t&a seems to think Ryan will make his debut, I'm inclined to agree. Harsh on Williams but I see this as more of an opportunity to see what Clare can do. We already know Williams is solid and reliable, but the Fax game didn't really provide James with much of a platform to make an imprint on the game.

I would leave Henry out and can't decide who else. I would definitely have Williams in so I guess it would be Clare to miss out but I can't really decide, it's a tricky one

But it does look a pretty strong squad

Agreed, probably strongest squad we've had all year. Think some pundits have been too quick to write us off.

It might seem wishful thinking, but certain comments that have come out of Odsal all season sort of suggest that we've viewed the first 23 rounds as a slightly higher intensity pre-season. It seems the plan was get top 2 and once achieved start planning for the Middle 8's. Hopefully we come out Sunday all guns blazing

I'd be tempted play Ryan and rest Olbison as he's played last few games. No second hooker in squad so we've a bench spot for a 2nd /2nd row which I'd give to blythe. Henry and Purtell both to start and basically their playing for their spot as nielsens likely to displace one of them next week. Give Clare another go as we already know what Williams can do and Clare needs the game time more.

Don't think Olbison will need a rest, he had last week to recover. Also he had a week off against Sheffield i think? Agreed about Henry and Purtell fighting it out for the centre spot. Cannot underestimate Sheffield. We need a convincing win to go to Wakey with some momentum. Another scrappy, just doing enough performance won't be good enough IMO.