TS did test the youngsters though, on here it was called not taking the league fixtures seriously. There were plenty of games where we rested big names to keep them fresh and put youngsters in the team but when fans are buying their season tickets they expect the club to take every fixture seriously not putting unknowns in and then us getting beat by mid ranking sides but "it doesnt matter because you only need to make the top eight"

I get what your saying Sally like at Salford & London when we went overboard with young players & got a bloody nose, upsetting many fans in the bargain.

Sorry, no. When we lost to Salford in 2012 (24-4icon_cool.gif, we only had GOB, Rhys Evans and Dwyer in the team. When we were thrashed by London (18-62), we only had Rhys Williams and Evans in the team. And other than Dwyer, I think you would view both Evans and GOB as emerging talent, rather than novices. The main reason for 'not taking games seriously' was probably the team simply not bothering to turn up. After all, we didn't really need the points, and the competition doesn't really start until Aug / Sept. If you look at games played (all, not just SL) for last year, Rhys Williams played 6, Evans 8, GOB 3, Laithwaite 4, Dwyer 4, Danny Bridge 3 and Glen Riley 6. So we don't have a track record for extensive use of our youngsters.

The other side of the coin is the ageing stars and whether we have hung onto them for too long. Briers was only playing in short bursts last year and managed only 19 games. Yes, he still produced some high quality plays to set up tries, but I hate to think how much real match time he would have played for us this year (assuming no neck injury). Morley was solid if unspectacular, and played only 19. Monas, who I have loved watching, is a shadow of his former self. He did play a good few games last year and his defence is top notch, but I still think this is a year too long for him. Bret could probably have lasted another year, but watching him get smashed every time he collected a kick was painful last year. Carvell could certainly have had another year. He would be my only certainty.

Personally, I think there is a case for saying we should have introduced some of the youngsters earlier, and given them a longer run of games to boot. Of course as fans we wan't it all - cups and a continuous stream of high quality sides every year. So perhaps we are now simply paying the price of 'having our cake' for the last few years.

Well said Charlie ! I do wonder if the somewhat sporadic inclusion of some of the younger players in games has not been all that beneficial either. They must have known that even a superstar performance would not have stopped them being replaced the following week by an old stager .

Russell has the 1 shirt. Play him at FB.

Ratch has the 6 shirt. Play him at SO

Myler has the 7 shirt. Play him at SH


This is what they're trained as all pre season, play them in their squad positions. Simple.

I'd like to see Penny, Evans and Dwyer given a run out this week, they were all superb in pre season, Ormsby hasn't done enough for me to keep his place after the Hull game, Atkins is terrible and so is Myler.
Russell at FB with Ratchford and GOB in the halves.

I don't know what Myler has been doing pre-season but it isn't being reflected in his form, irrespective of who his partner at half-back is. This ludicrous, head-in-the-sand, rigid thinking is really beginning to irk - how long does a player get to hold onto the shirt, irrrespective of personal form, just because that was the shirt he was "given" in pre-season?

I mean those saying ratch has to play . No, he has to play at 6. Because that's his position. If he's not doing the job replace him.

Yes no squad rotation, dont give players a rest and if your shirt says 22 then "take a hike" cos your obviously crap.!!!
How do you know that this is where they have trained all close season??

I agree with you and Chaz, if nothing else this season we need to find out for sure who is going to cut the mustard. The inclusion of a Dwyer, an Evans or a GOB can no longer be seen by some as TS not taking the comp seriously?

We've all heard about our junior prospects and the clubs' drive for sustainability a 'pipeline of talent' if you like? Well in my view there's a problem with a pipeline that gets blocked at the end and if we don't use it properly then we will miss out as talent surfaces elsewhere and kids are possibly reluctant to come in the first place if chances appear limited

Leon Pryce wears 3, but he doesn't play in the centres...

And there I was thinking that Kevin Sinfield plays at loose forward for Leeds because he wears the number 13 shirt.

Silly me......

The squad numbers did give an insight into what Smith originally thought was his strongest team. This weekend they can play sqaud numbers 1-12 (Grix is injured at 13) so I for one would like to see that and the resulting performance.

Just read warrington guardian it says Glenn Riley and Matty Russell both available but more likely that Russell will play for Swinton this weekend