Need to make sure we can keep our stars fit and not put them at risk, that's what may swing it for us, steady start middle weeks will be difficult but we may have games "targetted" especillay if we can gain 6 from 3 but if we get 4 from 3 that's promising and shows we mean business here's hoping, would have preferred maybe kr or Widnes as final game as either or both may be safe then.

So with the start of the most important set of fixtures for the club in 10 years, thought i would start a thread. Think it's a perfect game to start with, especially with a lot of big names coming back from injury. A win should give us some confidence and may settle a few nerves. Won't be easy, but i think we should win. In fact a loss, and our promotion campaign is over before it has begun IMO.

I think we need a good performance. A patchy scrappy win could be worrying. We've been scrappy for about two months, but i've given the team the benefit of the doubt as i think we knew we had got the top 2 and you can understand why the team have had one eye on this period. Also the fact we have had no half backs really handicapped us. But if we have another scrappy, performance when it really counts, and when we have a full team available, i think the fans could become even more frustrated. So a good performance is needed IMO

I think we have the ability to beat anyone in those 8's, the challenge for Jimmy and the team is to perform for the full 80, and for all 7 games. If we perform poorly in any of them, we'll lose.

For me, now everyone is fit (apart from Nielsen) i would go with.

1. Shaw
2. Clare
3. Henry
4. Purtell
5. Williams
6. Gaskell
7. Mullaney
8. Clough
9. O'brien
10. Sidlow
11. Olbison
12. Pitts
13. Addy

14. Ferguson
15. Crossley
16. Lauaki
17. Blythe

18th man: Walshaw

I can't see the logic of signing new players for the 8's and not playing them, I'd go with the following excluding Nielsen who I'd rest this week

1. Shaw
2. Caro
3. Henry (more attacking threat than Purtell & Blythe)
4. Blythe (stronger defender than Purtell)
5. Clare
6. Gaskell
7. Mullaney
8. Clough
9. O'brien
10. Sidlow
11. Olbison
12. Ryan (Superleague experienced forward)
13. Pitts

14. Ferguson
15. Crossley
16. Lauaki
17. Addy (cover halves, hooker back row)

18th man: Walshawwouldn't argue with that, can cover back row and centres

Assuming there's no Nielsen, I'd go:

Shaw
Clare
Henry
Blythe
Williams
Gaskell
Mullaney
Clough
O'Brien
Sidlow
Pitts
Olbison
Addy

Lauaki
Crossley
Ferguson
Ryan

It's nice to have options and I was close to putting Purtell and Caro in.

I think it's important we get 2 points on the board early, so I'm happy we're playing Sheffield first up. They're a good side, but if we're realistic about gaining promotion then we have to beat them.

I wouldn't count out Nielsen playing on Sunday. After all, he'd not be the first overseas player to get off the plane straight into a team

A decent team chosen above,
Does this now mean that Purtell could be released at the end of the season if he isn't first choice in big games?

I would assume that either Purtell or Henry (or both) are not getting a deal for next year.

Quite apart from the surfeit of centres we need to get the quota spots down.

If Nielsen gets here in time I'd play him, if only on the bench. He needs game time asap.

Shaw
Caro
Henry
Blythe/Purtell (can't choose, both poor options imo)
Clare
Gaskell
Mullaney
Sidlow
AoB
Clough
Olbison
Ryan (get him some game time too)
Addy

Crossley
Lauaki/Fleming
Pitts/Walshaw/Ferguson (take your pick)
Nielsen

Think neilson being signed for next year means we won't be offering purtell a new deal. Henry I think we'll persevere with as he's shown he has potential and he's still relatively young, plus iirc he's got a quota exemption.

Don't actually think there's much to choose between Henry, Blythe and purtell in terms of whose first choice this yr but purtells age and quota status go against him for next yr.

I'd give Neilson the week to acclimatise.

I remember Lulia's debut when he played right after arriving....

Think Henry's 'exemption' is on the Fed trained list, but so far as I understand it he's still regarded as 'overseas', and so on quota.

Don't understand people choosing shaw over mendeika.
Shaw makes more errors in a game than he does good, and on most occasions on a last tackle, when we put in an attacking kick, where he should be the first one up there he is loitering around not doing a lot in our line. He only adds good goal kicking. Mendeika is usually the first up on a kick chase and is a much safer fb.
Mullaney at fb and siejka at 7 offers more attack across the park. And gives 3 noted goal kickers in addy, mullaney and siejka.
People who slate siejka don't watch the good he does in games, the lad can put in a solid tackle. Can't remember who it was but he put in a solid shot in the opposition prop earlier this year and sat him down. He could play back up 9 if he isn't required at 7.
As a squad player shaw is fine, should be nowhere near the starting team from now on though.

Up until the Leigh game I might have agreed with you, but he had a cracker and didn't make a single mistake. It would be harsh to drop him after that.
Mendeika is ok but lacks pace and agility imo, I would actually rather see him used in the centres instead of at fullback.

Mullaney to fb and Siejka in at 7 is always an option, and indeed we'd be using our best players in their preferred positions. Mullaney is not a halfback and it's only down to his electric pace that he's been a revelation when played there.
However playing Siejka in these important games would leave me uneasy. His performance against Featherstone at home was awful, he was hauled off by Jimmy so he obviously thought so too. Maybe he wasn't fully fit, I don't know, but he hasn't featured since and we have already been linked with a new 7 for next season so his Bulls future isn't looking too bright right now.
If he already knows he won't be here next season then that is even more reason not to risk him in these games - he won't care what happens.

Siejka might be a good defender for his position, but offers too little in attack for me. He doesn't draw defenders and often passes too early. Mullaney gives us more threat and is very quick of the mark. He also takes it to the line more often.