Whoever turns out for us the same problems always seem to be there, so I think Lowes' empty threats of dropping players are just that. No, actually he probably will drop some and it won't make any difference. God, I'm fed up with them.

Riley seems safe.
Bring Mendieka in?
Bridge to half back?
Get Mitchell in?

The props have done ok, so no changes there?

Rubbish.

I think Clarke will come back in, I think Higham will revert to the bench. I didn't think Higham was great on Saturday in truth, old habits, penalties, daft losses of concentration (he wasn't on his own), anyhow, I think Clarke will come in for him.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Mitchell or McCarthy, or both, in place of Blythe & Harrison. I think Blythe will be dropped from the 17, I think if PJ is fit he may well replace him, if not Mitchell or McCarthy, or both if Harrison is left out. Blythe showed ill discipline, and I'm not sure Lowes will have liked that.

All being fit, I think we'll see the same 1-7.

What's the chances of him growing a big pair of gonads and dropping one or two of "Los Galacticos"

I bet he doesn't pick westwood

Of the starting 13, the only one I could see being dropped (simply because he isn't a 'senior' player) is Riley! Hicks to Fullback, Johnson on the wing.

However, the almost certain suspension to Westwood will mean Johnson coming into the second row leaving Rileys position safe due to lack of replacement at fullback or wing.

Empty threats! Another Lowes blunder?

I think he has to drop King. He has done NOTHING, ever! Make him earn his place. Get Penny back in

Cant we find a better winger from our reserve side?

I think Riley is safe for a while, I really do. I didn't think he was great against Catalans, he was at Saints. Everything aside, he's the most natural FB fit, right now at Warrington. He'll have trained for that role for sometime, I don't see it being a 'fix' more of that's where his future could well lie, I think he's in posession right now.

As i've said above, I wouldn't be surprised to see a couple of changes, try and firm up the side, add a little structure.

Westwood > PJ, Mitchell. (I'll exclude Blythe, I think his ill discipline may cost him this week.)

Higham > Clarke

Bench : Wood, Pickersgill or Cooper (I think Carvell may be a doubt), Higham & Mitchell/Harrison/Tyke.

I think the Galacticos are safe for now.

I would expect Johnson and Clarke to come into the squad.

I'm also not convinced by Paul Wood. His effort for one of the Catalans tries (the scoot from acting half) was absolutely dire, and he was dragged straight off. Maybe he needs more game time in the reserves.

I thought Blythe was very poor the other day, and he has put himself at risk.

King should retain his spot, as much as I don't rate him, and we should be getting more, he was solid on the wing and should play again.

A Wigan fan made a good point about Higham not being able to play 80mins, and it was a valid point. It tends to be later in the game when he tires that he loses his concentration and makes mistakes. Wonder if Lowes will go back on his statement about not carrying a 9 on the bench.

I'm a big Blythe fan, but I thought he was crap. From the moment he came on, he nearly got split in half in a gang tackle and that was his best moment. I think it was a stark reminder that if your not quite on it in SL you get exposed. For whatever reason, he wasn't on it, perhaps sitting and watching for 60 mins and then trying tp ick up the pace of the game like he & Harrison had to do wasn't the easiest. Not too sure.

If the Reserves are the ones in line, Mitchell & McCarthy must be the two fellas giving the door a good old knock.

I think Riley could really grow in his role as the last line of disgrace.

I'd go

Riley
Hicks
Gleeson
Johnson
Penny
Bridge
Briers
Moz
Clarke
Carvell
Anderson
Johnson
Anderson

Higham
Rauhihi
Wood
King(purely to cover backs)

Is he still at Middlesbrough or did they release him?

Wonder if Jimmy will drop some big names e.g. King to make a point

No he is on about the lad who was at Charlton, first name was Clive

Think of all the players we had missing from the team against Catalans

Reardon
Penny
Johnson
Clarke
Pickersgill
Cooper
Grix
Mitchell

thats eight first teamers missing

How many of those were available but dropped or not picked? You can only play 17 so to say they were all missing may be a bit far fetched.

Drop Briers

I'd drop Monas before Briers to be honest, get him teaming up with Bridge again in the halves doing the move of Briers grubber kicking for Bridge to run onto and score under the sticks - just like that....

Westwoods expected ban will limit the changes that can be made.

If Paul Johnson and John Clarke are fit then I would like to see :

Johnson into the centres in place of Bridge
Bridge to stand off in place of Briers
Mitchell to 2nd row in place of Westwood

Bench of :
Clarke
Rauhihi
Paul Wood
Briers

Chances of it happening : NIL

Monas has been working really hard for the team, IMO Briers has done nothing in recent games to warrent a place n the team

This thread goes to proove 2 things.

1) Sadly we don't really have any better than the shambles that's been takng the field.

2) It's great saying "team on paper" and "great in the NRL". That proves a top coach is able to motivate, improve & get the best out of his stars. For years we've just coached the talent out of them.

Personally I would have Monas as starting hooker with Higham off the bench.

Bridge and Briers in the halves.

I'd have both Anderson brothers in the second row.

If Clarke is fit id have him at loose forward.

I'd keep Riley at FB for now with King and Hicks on the wings.

The props look after themselves and whoever is fit will play.

The only problem position is left centre, id have to go for Johnson but I have real reservations about him - I think he is past it tbh.

This doesn't happen everyday but I agree with every word you've written

Cheers buddie, coming from you that means alot.

It will never happen in a month of sundays though. I reckon Jimmy hasn't got the gonads to upset the applecart.