This may upset some on here but I think we should play Tommy Lee at stand off to bolster the tackling with GOB at full back & Evalds on the bench
We beat Cas by getting the ball out wide & GOB was integral to that. We will not beat the Cats up the middle so an expansive game is required. We also need a better attitude than last Sunday.
Comparing this season to last we have victories against Saints & Cas but beat Cats so need a victory. Another on Monday would be fantastic.

Doesn't upset me, I had my concerns over moving h O'Brien from FB to SO as the team was already suffering through the absence of Lui. By playing Evalds, we then distrupted two key positions within our and it shown.

Everyone can see what a revelation O'Brien has been at FB this season, it was a big call and one that ultimately backfired by moving him. Having O'Brien in the defensive line gives the opposition an easy target, Hull KR exploited it and Catalans big men will do exactly the same if we don't change things for Friday. Gaz's defensive frailties aren't obvious from FB (infact he made some great tackles at Cas) because in affect once the opposition break the line, you don't expect your FB to prevent a try.

I would approach the game similarly to how we saw Widnes destroy Hull at home a few weeks back. Ride the early storm, move the ball outwide and stretch the defensive line at every opportunity and turn their big men around with deep early kicks.

that is another option. We get a better kicking game with o'brien at full back as he more time to kick as defence is further away. Evalds off bench is the option as if Catalans tire we can use evalds pace in an attacking mode.

looking back I think we will go with this. We looked very weak in defence on sun and with Richards on the left wing having tommy lee at stand off on the right will improve this.

interchange.

14.evalds
15. a.walne.
16. lannon
17. kraniqui

Thought I'd read that Jones was injured?

I'd not have Tomkins or Joseph on the bench, trust in Evalds pace and eye for the gap coming off the bench and keep the ball alive when possible in attack to wear the Catalan pack moving around.

For me Griffin can play big minutes and Walne as the size and fitness to do the same.

I'd also be kicking early in the tackle count to turn them around and again tire them out.

I agree with this.

Joseph also needs dropping. It's like watching an old leather sofa in a Salford shirt trundle up the pitch. I'd go so far as saying that the sofa would be quicker and more effective.

To be honest we need to be rapid out of the blocks, our strongest pack needs to be implemented straight from kickoff,so Flanny needs to start. I'm in favour of starting the match with Evalds at No1. Why. Well i don't think the problem last Sunday was in attack, it was more of an Attitude problem especially in our ''D'' .Evalds didn't have a great game well neither did O'Brien at Hull FC remember and we kept faith in him. Don't get me wrong a fully fit squad O'Brien would be my Fullback however with Lui's injury i feel we should give Niall another shot as it won't do his confidence any good dropping him, the lad needs nurturing and given another shot to make amends. If after 30 minutes we're struggling then change the dynamics back to O'Brien to Fullback, Lee to No6, and Tomkins to No 9. But for me Niall should start to give the lad a decent shot at redeeming himself. Attitude is the main key factor this week for sure. Not who plays Fullback.

That's a fair point, Stan, and correct. Regardless of positions if they get the attitude right the rest will fall into place.

We all know attacking is not our issue its defence where we need to strengthen. Defence is a big one this week. Catalans a very strong team. There wingers will also cause problems.

Should be a good game and hard to call who will win.

Tatics this weekend should be putting as many bombs up towards Broughton as possible and make sure the kick chase is good.

FFS......,Phil Joseph in the 19 again!!!

to be fair, I'd expect this as we have two games in quick order.

still chuckling about Butcher's remark about like a sofa (I assume you mean settee) as an American name for a two-seater sofa is "love seat".

Yes but is it a SCS or bright House Sofa ? you'd think with Flanagan in he team we'd be able to get a deal off Arighi Bianchi

poor today we was. dave taylor outstanding for them. josh griffin played well for us linked well with johnson rest were poor. dobbo was shocking today awful kicking from him too. yet again bench not good enough. we need weller and vidot back to strengthen us

How bad was that?
Not sure where to start. In fact the start was the problem. An error from the kick off set the tone,and we didn't see the ball for ages.
Overall the backs were OK,other than O'Brien being unable to handle bombs.
The pack was the problem. Sarsfield looks out of his depth completely. Jones and Flanagan have gone backwards. BMM isn't breaking the line. Phil Joseph did liven things up and I thought that Tomkins did well.
I'd excuse the last try,as it was a final,vain,attempt with the time nearly out. Otherwise,conversions would've kept us in the game.
We need 2 hookers who can play acting half back so when Tomkins went off we were stuffed.
If there were no injury issues I'd play Evalds with O'Brien at stand off.
If Lee and Johnson are injured I'd bring in MCB and Wilkinson.
I couldn't fault the effort but we were outmuscled

A fair summing up, I quite agree with. With Watto's love affair with Joseph, I expect he, Joseph. will be hooker/ acting half back against Hudds.
Pre season did not Sheens say this season was treading water and our real serious recruitment starts 2017. So there is going to be a lot of staff moving on and we watched a lot of them playing yesterday