Unless he's given a chance how are we are going to know he's good enough. His displays in the 20's have earned him his chance at super league.

I'd rather see Herbert at stand off, and either give Southernwood ago, if not play L'Estrange at 7. Southernwood and Bateman have been getting glowing reports from the 20's though, maybe it's time to give him another go.

I think we're gonna see Sykes in the halves again as Connor didn't mention Briggs/Southernwood in his tweet to me... Glad Olby and Donno are back in though! Whitehead rest?

I think Briggs at 13 could be a good move. In the championship his kicking game was second to none (don't know the stats but seemed to allways find a 40 20 when his team needed one) and IMO he was one of the best players in the league, so maybe by removing some of the pressure of being a HB and moving him to loose where you have that extra half a second before the opposition are on you would see some of his past form come back, whilst also adding another creative player to the team. I defiantly think a creative loose is something that would help our side.

Might aswell try it, sounds a good idea

That sounds like a cracking idea but i can see it happening unfortunately. I think Bateman and Raynor and Crossley will miss out this week and Ainy, Donaldson and Burgess will return.

maybe olbison getting a game ahead of whitehead too?

Yes, after his attitude in France, missing out could help buck his ideas up

I've watched most of the U20s games and Southernwood has been steady but hardly putting in the sort of performances which would force the coach to pick him. To be fair to him, I would only consider including him in the first team if we were going to have a strong pack, one that is likely to be going forward to give him some room to operate, and I'm not sure this will be the case against Wire, who have a pretty solid pack themselves.

I guess he'll get his chance when the coaching staff reckon it's right, but I wouldn't want to see him get 'monstered'. I really think you have to look towards a young player's future rather than the perceived short term needs of the team.

I said pretty much the same thing earlier in thread and got brushed aside. Still think its a valid reason for not playing Cain yet.

Yeah, I'm not saying that everyone else doesn't care about the kid's long term future, it's just that people aren't considering it, just looking no further than the next game.

We've all got our beliefs on who should play and who shouldn't, but our opinions are ten a penny I guess, it's a decision which is rightly in the hands of the professionals who work with the players on a daily basis. They are the ones in the best position to decide whether A,B or C is ready, physically, mentally and skill wise to make a move up the ladder.

I suppose it's a dead argument in any case because that is what will happen, whatever the opinions from outside.

This weather should see another 14/15k crowd in attendance.

Should happen but won't mate.

Couldn't agree more Bulliac. In Potter we have a coach who WILL give a young guy a chance if he thinks he is ready for it. The calls from fans for a rookie to be given a go generally tend to coincide with the 1st team struggling.

Well we didn't [iexactly[/i cover ourselves in glory, did we?

Wire are a very good side but we should have played better than that, so it was very disappointing. Certainly Wire were so much the better team it was almost untrue, and even if I cling to a few crumbs of comfort, like the injuries before and during the game and the fact they had some fortunate bounces after the charge downs, it doesn't really change the fact we got stuffed and they thoroughly deserved their win.

Onwards and upwards? Well, onwards anyway at least until we get some bodies back.
Come on you Bulls!