Yes Theo has been great in pre-season, particularly against Hunslet last weekend and I honestly see him as the future Salford 7 for years to come (unless he wants a move back to France at some point in his career and who could begrudge him that) but Michael Dobson has been there done it and got the Super League t-shirt. It would be madness for us to leave a player of such quality and experience out of the 17 if he is fit and raring to go. I appreciate Dobson had a quiet 2014, playing primarily in the reserve grade over in Newcastle but class is permanent.

Theo is in the 17 all day long and I can see him causing problems all over the field if introduced at either 7 or 9 for spells, especially in the second half. Warrington have a pack of big forwards who you would hope would tire after 60 minutes against our equally physical pack. Ideal scenario for Theo.

I would go with;

1. Locke
2. Johnson
3. Sa’a
4. MCB
5. BJB
6. Chase
7. Dobson
8. Taylor
9. Lee
10. Tasi
11. Hansen
12. Hauraki
13. Hock

Morley
Paterson
Puletua
Theo

Hard not to include Evalds, Walton, J.Walne and J.Griffin who are all on the fringes. I suspect Forster and Menzies will also be shaking things up in a couple of weeks when given a chance too.

Don't think Tony Puletua will be starting. According to papers the Dr says he's listening out for offers because he won't be getting much games this year

I think Walne will be in the 17 before Puletua, he'll be able to give you more minutes on the pitch.

If Dobson is fit I'd say you'll see Paterson starting alongside HH and Hock in the back row, would be foolish not to play two players with the understanding of Dobson and Paterson.

Theo must be in the 17 as he offers that utility quality that is needed in the modern game, should something happen like last year when Chase got crocked so early we have a ready made replacement on the bench, Lee is perfectly capable of playing the full game at 9 if needed.

I doubt that both Dobson and BJB would be risked in the first game, too great a gamble having two players who have both missed the vast majority of preseason, it's a luxury having understudies of the quality of Evalds/MCB and Fages who are all more than capable of slotting in and not leaving the team weakend.

Hows Hauraki gone for you in the friendlies? He was always at his best coming off the bench for Cas, very destructive attacking player out wide and a surprisingly big unit when you are standing next to him. Theo is a tricky one, will Dobson be happy to play 2nd fiddle or will he spit the dummy.

Dobson is a seasoned pro, he'll know if he hasn't played any pre-season friendlies and Harris chooses to leave him out the first game then it's justified. He needs game time from somewhere though and I would much rather see him given that away to Warrington (a game we probably wouldn't 'target' as a win throughout the season) so he's at least fitter for a big go at Saints the following week at home.

I said in a post previous, Harris may treat the Warrington game like a glorified friendly and accept 2 points may be difficult to achieve but it may be more important to give game time to BJB, Dobson and Sa'u.

newgroundb4wakey - Hauraki has only played one game, v Hunslet last Saturday and looked good. I was excited by his signing last season, I rate him. I obviously paid more attention to him when Cas were playing and he seemed to tire at stages of games which is when he made mistakes, so rotating him throughout the 80 might be an idea.

I can't make my mind up after reading your posts as to whether Dobson is fit to play against us or not. Does anyone really know whether he is or isn't?
I have him in our prediction comp to score against us.

i don't think no one could give you an answer on that until the squads are announced next Thursday. I'd say if he makes the squad then he will play against Warrington

Evalds would be a huge weaklink on the wing imo we need our most experienced players playing against the best team in SL.

1.Locke
2.BJB
3.J.Griffin
4.Sau/MCB
5.Johnson
6.Chase
7.Dobson
16.Taylor
9.Lee
10.Tasi
11.Hansen
12.Huraiki
13.Hock

8.Morley
17.J Walne
14.Fages
31.Patterson

Back line nice and fast/strong
Forwards strong and good back up on the bench.

Don't think the thought of Kevin Penny facing him will be giving him sleepless nights. Now I said that he nailed on for a hattrick. What size is BJB never struck me as being a tall winger?

So how many are you men likely to bring over? I'm hoping for a pretty full stadium to whet my appetite for the season!

I wouldn't like to say a number but surely it will be a big following.

Good to hear the young lad Lannan has been called up to the first team squad for the season probably took over Dixon

Do you honestly think he's a huge a weak link? I think that behind Chase and Locke he's our biggest attacking threat. He's elusive, has pace, a great rugby brain and his support play is first class. Sure there are areas of his game he can work on, but name me a player that hasn't?

I really think he will be something special, there's just something about him. And at this moment in time I think he's done more than enough to keep BJB out of the team.

And no I'm not his mum before anyone says anything

I think Evalds is an incredibly talented young player who would be much more highly thought of/prized if at a Saints/Wigan or Leeds. I remain to be convinced that Locke's heart is in his move over here and I have a nagging doubt that his fitness isn't what it should be, I for one am very glad we have someone like Evalds waiting in the wings.

I think the wing spot is currently his and it is up to BJB to rest it away from him, after all he hasn't played any pre season and missed a chunk of the end of last season for Leeds.

I think it's wonderful that the Doc see's the talented youngsters we have in Evalds, Fages and the Walne brothers and think he is less likely too punt them onto other clubs as maybe previous regimes were.

All in all not a bad place to be in for a pokey little club like Salford is it?