As much as I'd love to see this happen I don't believe that for a second. Smith said a couple of weeks ago in the WG that Wembley was to soon as he wasn't even running "at full pelt" yet.

Do you know something everyone else doesn't?

I'm not saying its nailed on by any means and I doubt he'll feature (I'd be concerned if he was). I just wouldn't be surprised if he gets the nod.

Jake. Sorry, I know Hull will be no pushover at all and I am not optimistic at all. I was suggesting that we will have to put an incredible effort in to stand a chance. The 2 games I have seen between us were close. We had phases where we looked like we were getting on top in the middle only for a few dropped balls and penalties gave you a breather and Hull came back stronger. Warrington went through a spell of say 7-8 mins where Hull looked a bit tired but one error meant that the pressure was removed. We need to sustain that for much longer but that would be the same against any decent team. My worry is that we have not done that since about April.

I think maybe an ideal start for Dodds would be one of the dead rubbers after Wembley ,either Catalans or Widnes. Failing that ,i can't see him featuring at all this season.

There are no dead rubbers after Wembley. Every game is a must win to secure finishing top. TS has said that whilst they are in contention we are aiming for all 3. We need to get out of this attitude that games don't matter. All games matter.

They are dead rubbers for the teams he pointed out....
Anyways.....more chance of Ken Dodd than Mitch!

And that is what bothers me,if he is not going to figure again this season why did we not just let him go,pretty sure he said he only wanted one season over here and we have not heard of any extension.

I don't want to belittle Hull's two results in the run up to Wembley - a wins a win. But whilst Widnes and Catalan may well be current top eight sides, neither are playing with top eight form. Widnes had lost 13 and won only 4 since we beat them in Round 7, and Catalan had 1 win (against Widnes) in their last 7 before having their tummies tickled at your place. Take away their impressive starts to the season and both teams would probably be fighting it out in the qualifiers .

I just hope that by the final hooter on Saturday the better team has won rather than being due to a refereeing decision, lucky bounce of the ball or injury (unless of course we win due to a referee decision or lucky bounce - I'd take that )

Ideally id like our team to look like this:

Ratch

Penny
Evans
Atkins
Russell

Gids
Sandow

Hill
Clark
Sims
Currie
Hughes
Westerman

Dwyer
Westwood
Bailey
G. King

18th man - Cox/Dodds (If fit)

Not ideal to change now and Toby was more comfortable against Cas than he was previously.
Probably had some nerves in the first couple, trying desperately not to make errors and trying too hard to impress.

The only change for me if enforced is Ratchford to loose, Penny on wing, Russell FB.

As you point out, if it is imperative to finish top there are no dead rubbers ,but at least, as it stands, we are guaranteed top 4. If finishing top is the goal then i doubt Dodds will play again for the Wire this season.

Does anyone know when the team will be announced? In a "normal" match it would be 2.00 pm Thursday.

Never in a month of Sundays would Ratchford be put at loose. Westwood would start and play as a 3rd prop just like we always used to. Or alternately Currie go into 13 and westwood at 2nd row. Currie has a pair of hands on him like Westerman does so could make a better fit. The problem is I doubt Westwood could put in an effective 80 minutes in the back row like Currie, Hughes and Westerman can. He's an impact prop off the bench now. Sneyd would have a field day with Russell at full back. His positioning is woeful, couple that with the fact he cant catch or pass. you may as well give them the cup now.

Westwood may well start loose but he's only going to be spelled and used as a prop.
Westerman had good hands and is used like a stand off as is Currie.
Ratchford will almost certainly feature at loose if Westerman misses out.
Penny hasn't been 18th man for the last 2 weeks for nothing. Dropped on disciplinary not form.